Category: Rocky

“Rocky” Collector Memorabilia

Craig / / 2006, Rocky

I recently received an e-mail from Marisa from Diamond Select Toys. Here’s part of what she had to say:

Hi there Craig,

I’m writing to you on behalf of Diamond Select Toys, a manufacturer of toys, statues and other pop culture memorabilia. I’m quite impressed by your website and it really is the one stop place for info on Stallone.

As you may or may not have heard, DST recently acquired the license for movie prop replicas from Rocky. I was hoping you’d be able to announce this news on your website to your fellow Stallone fans.

The first in the line are the Rocky gloves, which will be followed by the Italian Stallion robe and two different boxing trunks styles. We’ll also be doing a line of Minimates, which are small figures, for each of the Rocky movies. Please let your readers know that they can preorder the Rocky gloves now through their local comic book store. If they don’t know where that is, they can use the Comic Shop Locator service (www.comicshoplocator.com or 1-888-COMICBOOK) to find one.

I appreciate all your help. Thank you, Marisa Santiago

Sly Stallone and Rocky fans should start letting friends and family know what they want for Christmas. You just KNOW that SZoners are going to want something from DST. I’m leaning towards the robe myself… or the trunks… or the gloves… – Craig

Sly and Wepner Settle

Craig / / 2006, Celebs, Rocky
Sly Stallone and former heavyweight contender Chuck Wepner have reached a settlement in Wepner’s suit against Stallone for using Wepner as inspiration for ‘Rocky’. Lawyers for Wepner and Stallone
filed in U.S. District Court that the 2003 lawsuit was settled for undisclosed terms.– Craig

“Rocky” Makes Another “All-Time” Best List

Craig / / 2006, Honors, Rocky

Daniel Neman of The Richmond Times Dispatch in his August 4, 2006 column takes a look at his “All-Time Best” sports movies. Neman lists five movies and “Rocky” makes the cut. Here’s what he says:

“Rocky,” 1976. The ultimate underdog story is told with a seemingly limitless reserve of heart. Sylvester Stallone, who also wrote the script, skillfully wrung every dram of emotion out of the story and made a feel-good movie about a guy who actually loses the big fight. It is only when he started winning them, in the sequels, that the character became less interesting.

Thirty years later and “Rocky” is still getting props. And rightly so. For the full report, click HERE. – Craig

“Rocky” Stories

Craig / / 2006, Rocky

“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

Craig / / 2006, Rocky

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!

Craig / / 2006, Rocky, Rocky 2, Rocky 3, Rocky 4, Rocky 5, Rocky Balboa

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

Craig / / 2006, Rocky, Training

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!

Craig / / 2006, Celebs, Rocky

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