Category: 2007

Rocky for the Holidays

Craig / / 2007, Sly Fan

Hey SZoners!

The holidays are quickly approaching and I wanted to remind everyone that Rocky sculptures are still available through A. Thomas Schomberg studios. These statues were created by A. Thomas Schomberg [who created the original Rocky sculpture seen in the Rocky movies] in collaboration with Sylvester Stallone and MGM studios. The sculptures make great gifts and there’s a sculpture for every price range! I’ve had mine for nearly a year now and I smile with pride every time I pass it [several times a day]!

I’ve stayed in contact with Mr. Schomberg and his wife since my interview with him [part two of the interview is here] for the SZ. I recently checked to make sure that statues are still available and they are! In fact, with the holidays coming up, they are expecting a surge in sales — so I thought it would be a good time to get your order in SZoners!

Remember, if you’ve purchases a statue, I’d love to post a picture of you with it! – Craig

EW: The Things They Carried

Craig / / 2007, Rocky

The October 19, 2007 issue of Entertainment Weekly has a piece by Tom Schierlitz and Josh Rottenberg entitled “The Things They Carried”. It looks at some of the great props from motion pictures. The article leads with a two page spread of Sly’s boxing gloves from “Rocky”. Here’s what they have to say:

Rocky Boxing Gloves The sleeper hit of 1976 and a surprise Best Picture winner, the underdog-palooka fable kick-started the career of writer-director-star Sylvester Stallone, launched a six-film franchise, and roused untold millions of couch potatoes with dreams of “Eye of the Tiger” glory. Stallone donated the gloves from “Rocky II” to the Smithsonian, but he wore these gloves in the first “Rocky”, where he duked it out for 15 rounds with Apollo Creed. This pair clearly has a strong sentimental appeal for him – it has remained in his private collection for more than 30 years.
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– Craig

Sly Fan’s Collection

Craig / / 2007, Frank Stallone, Sly Fan


SZoner Paul Wintner is not only the owner of Wintner Talent Agency [check out his site], but also a fan of Sylvester Stallone movies.


Paul sent in a photo with Frank Stallone, as well as some pictures from Paul’s collection: glasses from Rocky Balboa, autographed gloves and a ring signed by Sly and all of his opponents from the Rocky movies!





Paul, thanks for sharing! – Craig

 

Gatlinburg Sly

Craig / / 2007, Sly Fan
SZoner, Rob Hoskins checked in with the picture above and the e-mail below:

Hi Craig, Rob Hoskins here from Lexington, Ky. I recently visited the Hollywood Wax Museum in Gatlinburg Tennessee and here is what I found. Thought you’d like a look.

By the way, the site looks great! Keep Up The Good Work! – Rob

—– Thanks Rob! – Craig

SZoner @ AFI "Rocky" Screening

Craig / / 2007, Honors, Rocky, Sly Fan, StalloneZone
SZoner, Joshua Tapia sent StalloneZone an exclusive summary of his experience at the AFI “Rocky” screening:

Hi Craig, Just wanted to write in and share my incredible experience at the AFI 40th Anniversary screening of Rocky. Sorry I could not provide some photos but they were restricted and security was very tight. If we were caught with a camera we would be ejected from the theater.

So after sitting in line for hours and finally getting into the theater lobby we were able to get our hands on a AFI 40th Anniversary collectors book. Finally as we all sat down in our designated seats a member of the AFI entered the room to tell us that all the Film Legends were in a theater for a photo shoot and that they would soon be coming in for the presentation. It was at this time he told us of the surprise guest who would introduce Mr Stallone….none other than Talia Shire. The crowd responded with cheers and applause.

Finally around 7:30pm Talia Shire entered the room to applause. She took the stand and talked about how while making the film they never really said it but they all thought they were making something special. After a few more words she introduced the man himself Sylvester Stallone. As Stallone emerged from the entrance the crowd stood up to give him a standing ovation. Stallone took stepped up to the podium and thanked everyone for coming. He shared a few stories from the production about how when they showed up for the Ice Rink scene that he was told all the extras were not available, he also told us about how Talia Shire had the flu and he knew when he went in for that first kiss he knew he’d be sick the next day but he was so lost in the moment that he just forgot everything and kissed her.

Stallone finished his speech and thanked everyone again as we applauded him. As he made his way out a gentleman ran out of his seat with a copy of Stallone’s last book SLY MOVES. This caused several other people to jump from there seat with stuff to autograph. Stallone being the great guy he is stopped and signed everything that was put in front of him. I saw this as my chance, i got up from my seat and made my through the crowd. As I did this the theater started to lower the lights so that people would sit down. Right before he exited i was able to walk up to him. As i approached him he looked at my hands as if he expected me to have something for him to sign. I just stuck out my hand and said “I would just like shake your hand and thank you for coming.” Sly shook my hand and thanked me.

The lights went down and we watched the film. This was one of the best film going experiences i have ever had. Second would be last year when thanks to StalloneZone I got to see Rocky Balboa a week before it was released in Tampa and if not for StalloneZone I would of not of known about the AFI screening. Thanks Craig and keep up the good work. Joshua Tapia
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Thanks for the write-up Josh. What a cool experience! – Craig