The “Rocky” statue given to the city of Philadelphia by Sylvester Stallone, has been in storage but city officials are now are proposing to place it near the Philadelphia Art Museum.
Category: Rocky
POW – Sly at 76 Academy Awards
Our POW [Picture of the Week] of Sly comes to us from my personal collection.
It’s a shot of Sly from the 1976 Academy Awards.
– Craig
“Rocky” Stories
“You can’t borrow Superman’s cape. You can’t use the Jedi laser sword. But the steps are there. The steps are accessible. And standing up there, you kind of have a piece of the Rocky pie.” – From the foreword by Sylvester Stallone
Rocky Stories is a book that I bet most SZoners won’t want to miss.
Pulitzer Prize-winners Michael Vitez [bottom left] and Tom Gralish [bottom right] of the Philadelphia Inquirer spent a year visiting the Philadelphia Museum of Art to observe, photograph, and capture the stories of the “Rocky runners,” who come from all over the world to run up America’s most famous steps –just as Sylvester Stallone did in “Rocky”.
Written with Sylvester Stallone‘s blessing and featuring a foreword by Sly (who actually dictated it to the author on voicemail over two messages), Rocky Stories also includes interviews with Oscar-winning director John G. Avildsen, composer Bill Conti, and cameraman Garrett Brown.
For more details click HERE. To pre-order a copy at a discounted rate, use the Amazonlink to the left. – Craig
– Craig
“Rocky” Pop-Art Script Poster
SZoner,. Peter K. wanted to make sure we knew about a pop-art poster made using all of the dialogue from the “Rocky” script.
Issued by LA Pop Art “in celebration of the 30th anniversary of one of the greatest films and franchises in movie making history… LA Pop Art is honored to be working with MGM Studios and Sylvester Stallone to create this amazing tribute to Rocky…”
For full details, click HERE. – Craig
Limited Edition Rocky Figures and More!
Jeremy Padawer, head of Entertainment Marketing for Jakks Pacific checked in to remind SZoners about the cool line of “Rocky” figures that are they’re producing.
Here’s what Jeremy had to say:
We’re producing the Rocky action figure line – literally manufacturing and marketing practically every important character from the Rocky movies.
Including: Rocky, Adriane, Mick, Paulie, Thunderlips, Roberto Duran, Joe Frasier, Mike Tyson (cameo Rocky Balboa), and 30+ others.
I’m running a promotion on my personal website – http://www.jeremy.com.
Basically, we did a 1:50 Pre-Production Rocky Balboa bronzed figure in a polybag packaging for 2006 NYC Licensing Show. We’re going to follow up with a 1:1000 bronze figure in regular Rocky packaging that we give away on the streets of Philadelphia in late August!
I’m really looking forward to the release of these figures! Check out Jeremy’s Blog for full details and news about other cool products!
– Craig Zablo [July 6, 2006]
Everlast “Rocky” Equipment
On June 20, 2006, Everlast Worldwide Inc. announced a licensing agreement with MGM Consumer Products to produce Everlast/Rocky sporting goods and a toy collection to include youth boxing equipment, heavy bags and inflatables.
Set to launch in October of this year to coincide with the 30th anniversary of the original “Rocky” film and the December 22nd release of “Rocky Balboa”, the Everlast/Rocky products will be available at select retailers and online stores. Everlastplans a comprehensive marketing strategy that will include special events, retail promotions, direct mail and cross-promotions featuring all six of the “Rocky” motion pictures and more. Consumer prices for Everlast’s/Rocky merchandise will range from $15 to $60.
Representatives from both Everlast and MGM expressed great excitement about this joint venture. Seth Horowitz, Chairman, President and CEO of Everlast Worldwide, announced, “This license agreement unites two icons, namely the beloved Rockycharacter with Everlast, one of the sporting world’s preeminent brands. The Rockycharacter brings to life Everlast‘s key brand attributes – toughness, durability, and staying power.” Travis Rutherford, executive vice president of MGM Consumer Products and Location Based Entertainment, added, “We are elated to be celebrating the 30th anniversary of the “Rocky” franchise and the release of the new Rocky Balboa film,” said . “This co-branded initiative with Everlast will bring a new offering of high-quality products to sports and boxing enthusiasts and Rocky fans through all generations.”
For more details click HERE. – Craig
– Craig
Sly and Butkus!
|
Sly will be featured in a new book titled Men & Dogs: A Personal History From Bogart to Bowie by Judith Watt and Peter Dyer. The book features photos and anecdotes from 80 of the world’s “most famous and fascinating men” from all walks of life, past and present are included. Sylvester Stallone, George Armstrong Custer, Muhammad Ali, Clint Eastwood, Clark Gable, Gregory Peck, Bob Hope, Ian Fleming, Truman Capote, and Paul McCartney are just a some of the men included. Here’s some of Sly’s entry: – Sylvester Stallone, cuddling with his briard (1994): A nearly broke Stallone was on the verge of giving away his longtime friend Butkus, a bull mastiff, when he sold the script for “Rocky.” Butkus not only got to stay, Sly even cast him in the movie. The actor continues to keep dogs, as does his mother, who claims that dogs “have clairvoyant powers. They predicted George W. Bush’s election victories in 2000 and 2004.“ For more on the book, click HERE. – Craig |
A Brief Word with Sly
|
The June 15, 2006 issue of The Las Vegas Sun posted John Katsilometes‘ brief interview with Sly who was in town to accept his award at the CineVegas film festival. As he was heading down the red carpet for a special screening of “Rocky”, Sly said,”The story of ‘Rocky’ is that everyone, no matter what walk of life you are from, wants a shot at the golden ring – to fail or succeed, but to have a chance to prove themselves based on their own abilities.” For the full report, click HERE. – Craig |
“Rocky” Honored Again!
On June 14, 2006 the American Film Institute announced it’s list of the 100 most inspirational films of all time. The announcement was made in conjunction with AFI’s 100 Years…100 Cheers special aired on CBS. A jury composed of 1,500 film artists, critics and historians made the selections.
“Rocky” came in at #4!
For the full report, click HERE. – Craig
PS – You can also read about it HERE. Thanks to Wes Bennett for the tip!
Exclusive Photos from Sage Stallone
Sage Stallone, Sly‘s oldest son, and a talented actor, writer and director in his own right, recently checked in with some photos that he thought SZoners might enjoy. They were taken by his mother, Sasha Stallone.
Sasha, Sly‘s first wife, is an accomplished photographer. Many fans will know her from her photos of Sly which appeared in books, magazines and even posters back in the day.
This is a shot of Sly and Rocky producer, Irwin Winkler, taken in 1976.
Sage writes that this photo was taken by Sasha on the streets of New York City before Rocky!
Sage writes that this photo was taken “way before Rocky… dad was writing “Poe”… and posing as Poe!”
Sage goes on to say, “Mom tells me this was taken at Bloomingdales in ‘71!
I want to thank Sasha Stallone for allowing us access to the rare photographs from her personal collection. Most fans know that Sasha was Sly’s first wife and the mother of his two sons, Sage and Seargeoh. Sasha and Sly were together years before “Rocky” made him an international superstar.
Sly has always credited Sasha with being totally supportive in his quest to make it as actor / writer / director. Not only did Sasha type his scripts, but when they were nearly broke and she was pregnant with Sage, Sasha totally supported Sly‘s decision to turn down hundreds of thousands of dollars to sell the “Rocky” script and let someone else take the starring role.
Sasha‘s photographs have appeared in national magazines, books, and posters. Sasha occasionally acts. She most recently took a role in Sage‘s film “Vic” where she also served as set photographer.
| I want to thank Sage Stallone for allowing us access to the rare photographs from his family’s personal collection.
Most fans know Sage as Sly‘s real-life son or as Rocky‘s kid from “Rocky V.” What many people forget is “Rocky V” was released 16 years ago! Sage is now a young man, about the age that Sly was when he made “Rocky.” In addition to acting, Sage is also a writer, director and co-founder of Grindhouse Releasing. His short film “Vic” will be on the festival circuit this year. I’m hoping to interview Sage in the near future, so if you have any questions you’d like to throw his way, e-mail me and you may get your answers! I’ll also keep SZoners updated on which festivals Sage will be attending so that we can go out and support his efforts. Thanks again to Sage and Sasha Stallone! – Craig |