Category: 2014

Sly in Rona Barrett’s Hollywood Dec. 1977

Craig / / 1977, 2014, FIST, Frank Stallone

Earlier this week I received these photos attached to this e-mail:

Craig,

Longtime SZoner, Rob Hoskins, here from Salyersville, Kentucky. Just wanted to show you these latest gems. My Dad brought me an old copy of Rona Barrett’s HOLLYWOOD Magazine from December 1977 he found at an antique place. I found these sections on the “new star” of ROCKY inside.

Peace,

Rob Hoskins

I had the shirt and poster below. One of my sisters secretly traded the poster to one of her friends for a shirt. She didn’t tell me until years later.

If you’d like to see a larger version of the ad you can here.

 

Thanks to Rob for sharing!

12 Action Stars Who Still Kicked Butt After 60

Craig / / 2014, Celebs


On February 24, 2014, The Playlist ran an article by Gabe Toro titled 12 Action Stars Who Still Kicked Butt After 60.  The nicely written piece features Charles Bronson, Clint Eastwood, Lee Marvin, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Steven Seagal, Takeshi Kitano, Samuel L. Jackson, Danny Trejo, Harrison Ford, Sean Connery, Christopher Lee and Sylvester Stallone.

Here’s a bit of what Toro had to say about Sly…

His Career Pre-60: Stallone rose to fame as the Italian Stallion, achieving immortality as “Rocky,” using the underdog sports story to launch an unmatched career in action films…

As Rocky, Stallone is slipping on a warm coat, and this is easily his most touching, low-key performance.

Emboldened by the success of “Rocky Balboa,” Stallone jumped at the chance to return to the world of leading men, uniting the shiniest action stars of yesterday by kick-starting “The Expendables” as a franchise, where Stallone would rub shoulders with legends like Arnold Schwarzenegger, Bruce Willis, Jean-Claude Van Damme and Chuck Norris.

Stallone remains in improbable action hero shape, ready to impress once again in this summer’s “The Expendables 3.”

I really enjoyed Toro‘s article and my only question is, “Why No John Wayne?”

Andy Karl Talks About Playing Rocky Balboa on Broadway

Craig / / 2014, Rocky Musical


On February 24, 2014, Broadway.com ran an interview with Andy Karl conducted by Kathy Henderson.  In the interview Karl talks about taking on the role of Rocky Balboa.  Here are some tidbits…

Would you get in the ring with Sylvester Stallone?
Not a chance.

Speaking of riding a fine line, what’s the secret to portraying Rocky without veering into a parody of Sylvester Stallone? 
I’m taking on some of the mannerisms Sylvester Stallone created, but I also have to let it be truthful to me. The music is character-driven and I am naturally a baritone, so the score fits right in my sweet spot. It’s actually pretty simple—for me, and for most of America, Rocky is a living, breathing person, and I’m honoring the character enough that I don’t have to rely on Stallone’s take on everything. He picked me; he’s trusting me with this, and that’s a huge honor.

Hollywood Loves Its Aging Action Heroes

Craig / / 2014, Celebs

On February 16, 2014, the New York Post ran an article titled Hollywood Loves Its Aging Action Heroes by Reed Tucker.  It is worth a read. 

Here are two tidbits….

  • The biggest names in action movies today are virtually identical to the 1980s and early 1990s. Sylvester Stallone is 67. Arnold Schwarzenegger is 66. Liam Neeson is 61. Wee pup Bruce Willis is 58.

 

  • Take Schwarzenegger and Stallone’s “Escape Plan.” The 2013 movie earned just $25 million stateside, leading many critics to label it a bomb. But it earned $110 million overseas.