Second Thoughts

Yo, Adrian! Rocky still alive at 40

Actor and screenwriter Sylvester Stallone embraces actress Talia Shire in a scene from the 1976 movie Rocky.
Today is the 40th anniversary of the Oscar-winning movie, and it’s still as popular today as it was then.
Actor and screenwriter Sylvester Stallone embraces actress Talia Shire in a scene from the 1976 movie Rocky. Today is the 40th anniversary of the Oscar-winning movie, and it’s still as popular today as it was then.

Monday marked the 40th anniversary of Rocky, the film about Rocky Balboa, a south Philadelphia boxer played by Sylvester Stallone, a lovable character who resonates with fans drawn to his underdog tale of determination, grit and sleepy-eyed charm.

While most movies about fictional athletes have a short shelf life, Rocky continues to identify with Philadelphia and its many visitors.

"The reach of Rocky is international, and the film serves as a slice of Americana. It is shorthand for Philadelphia as much as the Liberty Bell or Benjamin Franklin," wrote Errin Haines Whack of The Associated Press.

The reasons Philadelphia natives relate to Rocky are numerous. For starters, Balboa was a small-time boxer from the Italian neighborhood of south Philadelphia, who stumbled into a bout with heavyweight champion Apollo Creed (Carl Weathers), fighting in Philadelphia to celebrate America's bicentennial. While Rocky lost the fight, he proves himself and wins the heart of Adrian (Talia Shire), a pet store clerk, which made him a winner of much more than a title.

The film overcame long odds to be successful. It was shot in 28 days on a $1 million budget with a largely unknown cast. The fact it was shot in Philadelphia gave a boost to the city that carries a chip on its shoulder in the shadow of other east coast cities like New York and Boston.

The film earned $117 million at North American box offices and another $107 million overseas. It received 10 Oscar nominations in nine categories and won three: Best picture, best director (John G. Avildsen) and best film editing. Stallone, Burgess Meredith and Shire were nominated in acting categories. In addition, the original movie was followed by six sequels.

Julie Coker Graham, president of the Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau, explained the Rocky phenomenon. She said, "Anytime we are speaking to overseas visitors ... the conversation always turns, at some point, to Rocky. They ask, 'Have you met Rocky?" A lot of them think it's an actual, real-life person."

While Balboa is fiction, a statue of Balboa was commissioned by Stallone in 1982 and placed at the top of the steps of Philadelphia Museum of Art, which has become a popular stop for visitors.

Who said a city can't identify with a fictional character.

Just like home

Arrowhead Stadium, home of the Kansas City Chiefs, can be an intimidating place to play. Chiefs fans love to do the Tomahawk chop and the Indian war chant.

However, one visiting player was not going to be intimidated by the Chiefs fans. Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston said he felt at home at Arrowhead because when the Chiefs fans did the war chant, it reminded him of playing in college at Florida State.

In fact, Winston told a member of the Buccaneers front office Sunday after his postgame press conference, "On third down, if [Chiefs] fans do what they did in Tallahassee on third downs, we will be solid," Winston said.

He wasn't wrong. The Bucs converted 11 of 16 third downs in Sunday's 19-17 victory.

Sometimes, the home crowd can work for the visiting team.

Sports quiz:

Who was Rocky Balboa's trainer?

Answer

Mickey Goldmill, played by Burgess Meredith

Sports on 11/22/2016

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