Movie Rental Alert: Thanksgiving Weekend Marks 30th Anniversary of Rocky

Movie Rental Alert: Thanksgiving Weekend Marks 30th Anniversary of Rocky

Long Weekend Is Perfect Time to Get Re-Inspired by Philly's Favorite Underdog

PHILADELPHIA, Nov. 16 /PRNewswire/ -- Thanksgiving weekend 2006 marks the 30th anniversary of Rocky, the 1976 Academy Award-winning film that led to a movie empire and more than $496 million dollars in U.S. box office sales alone. Each day, Philadelphia locals and visitors run up the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art steps, pump their fists in the air and sing that memorable Rocky theme song, "Gonna Fly Now," in tribute to the beloved movie hero. The long holiday weekend is the perfect time for fans of the film to get re-inspired by Philly's favorite underdog by watching one or all five of the films in the famed series.

While watching the movie, look out for:
-- The changing Philadelphia skyline: In 1976, when the film debuted, the
city's skyline was virtually non-existent due to a height restriction.
(Architects agreed that no structure would rise higher than the statue
of William Penn atop City Hall.) See how many skyscrapers appear in
Rocky V, which was filmed after the restriction was lifted. And, look
for an even more expanded cityscape in the sixth installment of the
series, due out December 22.
-- The Rocky statue: Originally seen in Rocky III, the statue has moved
five times over the years. On September 8, 2006, the popular statue
took its permanent place at the foot of the monumental Philadelphia
Museum of Art steps, where Rocky completed grueling training runs.
Sylvester Stallone, who played the boxer, was on hand for the statue
dedication.

Here's how to get even more inspired:
-- Visit http://www.gophila.com/ to download Rocky's Legendary
Philadelphia Weekend, a multi-day itinerary that features many of the
sites featured in the film series.
-- Taste "Rocky Balboa Road" ice cream, created by the Berley Brothers of
The Franklin Fountain, in homage to the newest Rocky flick. The dark
chocolate ice cream includes salted almonds, chocolate-covered
Philadelphia pretzels and a ring of golden marshmallow "mustard." 116
Market Street, (215) 627-1899, http://www.franklinfountain.com/
-- Check out Rocky Stories, a new book with a forward by Stallone,
featuring "tales of love, hope, and happiness at America's most famous
steps." The stories are written and photographed by Michael Vitez and
Tom Gralish, who spent a year documenting their chance encounters with
more than 50 different people or groups who came to conquer the
monumental steps - for reasons as diverse as their stories.

The Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation (GPTMC) makes Philadelphia and The Countryside(TM) a premier destination through marketing and image building that increases business and promotes the region's vitality. For more information about travel to Philadelphia, visit http://www.gophila.com/ or call the Independence Visitor Center, located in Independence National Historical Park, at (800) 537-7676.

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:

Source: Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation

CONTACT: Cara Schneider, +1-215-599-0789, or cara@gptmc.com, or Morgan
Obidowski, +1-267-514-0555, or morgan@gptmc.com, both of Greater Philadelphia
Tourism Marketing Corporation

Web site: http://www.gophila.com/
http://www.franklinfountain.com/

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