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Yo, Philly! Rocky's back where he belongs, at art museum |
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Written by asap
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Friday, 08 September 2006 |
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AP
Actor Sylvester Stallone stands next to the bronze statue of Stallone portraying the boxer Rocky Balboa from the film "Rocky III" after it was unveiled near the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art in Philadelphia, Friday, Sept. 8, 2006.
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Rocky Balboa is back.
Despite harsh reviews by critics and art aficionados, the Rocky Balboa statue has completed a long road back to the Philadelphia Museum of Art where it was shown Friday night at the base of the museum, not far from the steps where the fictitious hard-luck fighter made movie history.
"Yo, Philly! How you doin'?" actor Sylvester Stallone said to a raucous crowd.
Thousands of fans erupted in chants of "Rocky! Rocky!" when Stallone took the stage for the statue's dedication. It hardly seemed like 30 years since Stallone and "Rocky" debuted, forever leaving an imprint on Philadelphia as the city of the underdog.
"This leaves me absolutely even more speechless," Stallone said. "This is mind-bending to me that this could happen."
With its arms raised in triumph, the bronze statue is 9-foot-11 and weighs about 1,300 pounds.
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FANS LOVE IT
With the "Rocky" soundtrack blaring on a continuous loop, "Rocky" die-hards pressed against a railing trying to catch a glimpse of the fictional champ who has become a slice of Americana.
"Gonna Fly Now" is more than the Rocky theme to Joe Vaglica, of Edgewater, Fla. He spent $350 this week for a plane ticket ("the best $350 I ever spent") to catch the ceremony. Dressed in a black hat, gray sweat shirt and sweat pants and taped fists, Vaglica said the only disappointment was the statue's location.
"I think it should go back where it belongs _ at the top of the steps," Vaglica said. "Rocky is so many things to so many people. He's an inspiration because he shows you can always believe."
Joy Cooper, of Clearville, Pa., drove about 6 1/2 hours for the dedication because she was grateful for the impact the movie's message had on her life.
"My mom told me I couldn't be anything," she said. "When I watched 'Rocky,' I realized I could be somebody."
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