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Rocky was released into theaters on November 21st, 1976. Filming locations include Philadelphia, Pa. It was directed by John G. Avildsen. Avildsen would also direct Rocky V, fourteen years later, as well as The Karate Kid Trilogy. He passed away on June 16th, 2017. Sylvester Stallone wrote the script in roughly three and a half days, inspired by the Muhammad Ali/Chuck Wepner fight. Stallone was reportedly so broke at the time, he had to sell his dog because he couldn't afford to feed him. He was offered $350,000 for his script, but he refused to sell unless they let him star in the film. They agreed, and Stallone played the part of Rocky Balboa for scale as well as continuing to do rewrites. A week after selling his dog, he bought him back. The dog was Butkus, the Bull Mastiff seen in the film. Rocky was the launching point that would propel Stallone into one of the most well known actors of all-time, specifically in the action genre. The film was nominated for ten Academy Awards, winning three. Wins include Best Picture, Best Director and Best Film Editing. It was added to the National Film Registry in 2006. The score was composed by Bill Conti. The films first DVD release was on March 24th, 1997.
Pet shop - 2146 N. Front St. Philadelphia, Pa. 19122
The structure was demolished in 2017. At the time of my visit, it was an empty space. The fire hydrant seen in front of the shop, is (mostly) still there.
2020
Rocky's apartment - 1818 Tusculum St. Philadelphia, Pa. 19134
It was built in 1920 and still looks almost identical as to how it did in the film. The structure at the end of the street (left side), was demolished at some point in the late 70's/early 80's.
All "Now" pictures taken in 2020.
Mighty Mick's gym - 2147 N. Front St. Philadelphia, Pa. 19122
This is located directly across the street from where the pet shop stood. The gym interiors were filmed at the (now demolished) Main Street Gym, in Los Angeles. The scene from Rocky V, where the Rocky and Tommy Gunn brawl spills out into the street, occurred directly in front of the gym, on E. Susquehanna Ave.
All "Now" pictures taken in 2020.
Rocky V
Lucky Seven Tavern - 2800 Ormes St. Philadelphia, Pa. 19134
The building was demolished at some point in the 80's. The B Street bridge can be seen in the background.
2020
Rocky walks Marie home - Cantrell St. and S. 12th St. Philadelphia, Pa. 19148
They start walking from the above intersection and head south. They walk two blocks, crossing Winton St. and end at Jackson Street.
2020
Marie's house - 1124 Jackson St. Philadelphia, Pa. 19148
The 1,410 square foot house was built in 1915.
Paulie's house - 2822 Rosehill St. Philadelphia, Pa. 19134
The 980 square foot house was built in 1935.
2020
Pat's King of Steaks - 1237 E. Passyunk Ave. Philadelphia, Pa. 19147
It was founded in 1930 by brothers, Pat and Harry Olivieri, who are credited with the creation of the cheesesteak.
2020
Rocky jogging - Avenue of the Arts (between S. Penn Square and Chestnut St.)
He's running north toward S. Penn Square. Philadelphia City Hall can be seen in the distance.
2020
Rocky jogging through market - S. 9th St. (between Montrose St. and Christian St.)
He's running north along S. 9th St. toward Christian St. While this scene was being filmed, no one along the street market knew that a movie was being made. Their looks of curiousness, as seen on film, were all genuine. And the moment where the man tosses Rocky a piece of fruit, was a spontaneous reaction that Sylvester Stallone wasn't expecting. It looked good in the film, so the director kept it in.
2020
Rocky jogging along the path - Kelly Dr. and Brewery Hill Dr. Philadelphia, Pa. 19121
(Schuylkill River Trail)
The rock has been trimmed and the path repaved, since filming.
2020
Rocky steps - 2600 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy. Philadelphia, Pa. 19130
(Philadelphia Museum of Art)
Construction on the museum began in 1919 and finished in 1928. The architectural firms of Horace Trumbauer and Zantzinger, Borie and Medary collaborated on the project. The museum houses over 240,000 pieces of art. The 72 stone steps (Rocky steps) on the museum's east entrance are one of Philadelphia's biggest tourist attractions. Rocky can be seen ascending the steps in every film in the series, with the exception of Rocky IV. In The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air episode "The Philadelphia Story", Will Smith runs up the steps while training for a fight with a neighborhood bully. Reebok filmed a commercial for the A7's, where Allen Iverson dribbles a basketball up the steps. An 8 foot, 6 inch tall, two ton bronze statue of Rocky was commissioned by Stallone in 1980 and placed at the top of the steps for the filming of Rocky III. After filming was complete, Stallone donated the statue to the city of Philadelphia. On September 8th, 2006 the statue was placed on a pedestal in a grassy area on the north side at the base of the stairs. In the former spot of the statue, now lies a bronze inlay of Converse sneaker footprints with the name "Rocky" above them.
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All "Now" pictures taken in 2020.
Rocky II
Rocky III
Rocky V
