Total Rocky : FAST FACTS

CHIP OFF THE BLOCK

Did you know that Talia Shire's youngest son, handsome 22-year-old Robert Schwartzman, is a dead ringer for his mother in her Rocky days? Have a look >

BETTE MIDLER AS ADRIAN?

In a 1980 interview, superstar Bette Midler revealed that she'd been considered for the role of Adrian. She explained: "One supporting role I should have taken, if my then-manager hadn't turned it down, was the Talia Shire role in Rocky. I'd still like to work with Sylvester Stallone. There's something about those beefy Italians that turns me on. But when he sent over the Rocky screenplay, my manager told me it was a nice role, a nice movie, but not for me. When I saw Rocky, I was really sad that I'd lost the chance to play that girl."

I LOVE LUCY

In a 1953 episode of "I Love Lucy", Lucille Ball and Vivian Vance chat about their husbands' boxing obsession and joke about one of the most familiar names in pugilism.

Listen to the show >

J & M TROPICAL FISH

The pet shop where Adrian works (seen in Rocky I, II and V) is a real store in Philly, and it's still operating. The scenes shot there were among the few interiors actually filmed in Philadelphia - the rest were shot in Los Angeles.

Joseph Marks, J & M's co-owner recalls: "Used to be these Rocky tours and limos would stop in front. People still come here, from France, the Netherlands, California, Utah, they still want to see the pet shop where Rocky was filmed."

If you're inclined to pay a visit, the shop is in Kensington at Front Street and Susquehanna: 2146 N. Front Street.

SEE ROCKY'S BOXING GLOVES

If you're in the Hollywood area, be sure to check out the Hollywood History Museum located on legendary Hollywood Blvd. This amazing art-deco building was once the studio of make-up icon Max Factor and has now been beautifully restored to its original glory. Upstairs in its little-known but incredible movie museum is a display dedicated to Rocky.

The area includes an original one-sheet US release poster for the film, a continuously running video of Rocky, two 8x10 stills signed by Sylvester Stallone - and best of all, the actual boxing gloves used by Stallone in the original Rocky. Fans will remember these as the battered black gloves seen in use at Mickey's Gym during Rocky's training. Sly has signed and donated these to the museum. What a find!

Click here to visit the Hollywood History Museum Website

PAULIE AND ADRIAN: A COUPLE?!

Years ago, Burt Young recently admitted, he dated Talia Shire, "for a blink of an eye . . . I adored her," he said, adding that for the sake of his career she wanted him to distance himself from the neighborhood toughs he grew up with. "I told her I want to stay like I am. I might walk slower. I like my width. Rather than flying high, I’m wide. I still have ambition, but I’m slow. I’ll never be Tom Cruise. Many people have bypassed me. I’m like a fire hydrant. Maybe even a dog has come by and bothered me."

STEP INTO THE RING

Touted as the ultimate video game for both Rocky and boxing fans, "Rocky: The Game" hit store shelves in 2002 and has been popular ever since. Read more about this amazing gaming experience and if you haven't experienced it for yourself, see what you're missing!

SLY'S STUFF

Sylvester Stallone's home is ornamented with a huge assortment of Rocky memorabilia, including some of his own paintings. Also on prominent display is a photo, taken the day Baghdad fell, of a young Iraqi hoisting a U.S. flag with Rocky emblazoned on it. The image pleases and tickles the star: "You know the movie wasn't playing in Iraq. Why would someone smuggle into the country a character that represents the American Dream? Did he have it under his bed thinking, I can't wait to be liberated! It's the first thing I'm pulling out!?"

ADRIAN SPEAKS OUT

"When my kids went to see Rocky, they had a new respect for me," actress Talia Shire says. "Maybe they'll listen to me when I say, 'Make your bed!'"

LEROY NEIMAN'S "ROCKY"

Did you know that world renowned artist LeRoy Neiman not only painted the glorious portrait of Sylvester Stallone featured in Rocky III but that he also had a role in three of the sequels? Read more >

ROCKY IN WAX

Classic movie fans have been in awe of the famed Movieland Wax Museum in Buena Park, California for nearly forty years. All the greats are represented here in wax in one of California's oldest and best wax museums.

Within Movieland's labyrinth you'll encounter Mr. T face to face, then immediately to his left is Hulk Hogan, AKA "Thunderlips", then its just a quick turn around and you're facing the Italian Stallion himself as he appeared in Rocky IV. He wears Apollo's red-white-and-blue shorts and is set in a corner of the boxing ring, ready to face Drago.

Click here to visit Movieland Wax Museum's Website

Rocky is also on display in San Antonio, Texas. He's a more impressive specimen than is his Hollywood counterpart - this version has him dressed in his flag shorts and gloves and is posed in a menacing stance from Rocky IV. You can visit him at Louis Tussaud's Plaza Wax Museum.

Click here to visit Tussaud's Wax Museum website.

CHAPLIN'S FINAL FLICK

Producer Jerry Epstein, who worked with Charlie Chaplin extensively in his later years, had a chance meeting with young Sylvester Stallone in Hollywood in 1976, immediately after the completion of Rocky. Stallone asked Epstein if he could arrange a meeting with Chaplin, saying he'd be willing to fly overseas to Charlie's Swiss home in an instant. In the meantime, Sly rushed a 16mm print of Rocky to the Chaplins.

The meeting was postponed, due to Charlie's rapidly deteriorating health, and a still excited Stallone wrote to Epstein reminding him how much he would love 'an audience with the great maestro himself'.

Unfortunately, the meeting never did take place. Epstein recalls that "the print of Rocky arrived. Charlie, Oona and the children saw it . . . Charlie loved the film. He had always been a fight fan. As he watched he kept murmuring, 'Excellent . . . excellent.' Since Sylvester was such a fan of Charlie's, I only wish he could have been there to witness his reaction."

Rocky was to be the last film that the Little Tramp ever saw. He died only months later. "When I first saw Rocky," Epstein said, "I felt, along with some critics, that Sylvester captured a Chaplin quality. Today (Rambo notwithstanding), the thing I like most about Sylvester was not only his enthusiasm, but his genuine admiration for Charlie."

< Photo: Chaplin spars with the Champ, 1931

HOW'D THEY DO THAT?

Ever wonder how the camera crew shot around the fight sequences and Rocky's training in Philly? It's called the Steadicam. We're all familiar with it today, but this incredible invention got its start with Rocky.