Page 41 - Sports Energy News, Cornwall, Issue No 144

www.sportsenergynews.com Issue #144 January 2025 41

Continued from page 40 moment), a story that stirs our emotions
What follows must be considered one and pulls at our heartstrings. Yet, so
of the best fictitious boxing matches of much of this depends on the memorable
all-time, with Balboa and Creed going Photo Submitted performances. This is the film that truly
head-to-head, mano a mano in front of put Stallone on the map, launching
an eagerly watching world. Will Rocky his career and making him a bonafide
be able to pull off the upset, surprising star. Weathers is perfect as the overly
the giant, or will he fall prey to the cocky boxing champ, the seemingly
man’s fierce, fiery punches? unbeatable challenge for our underdog.
Then there is Meredith, who is spot
Not only the winner of Best Picture, on as the grizzled, old-school trainer.
but also of Best Director and Best Shire is strong as the shy woman who
Editing at the Oscars, some may be falls in love with Rocky. Finally, Burt
surprised to find out that Stallone was Young, who plays Adrian’s brother
not wanted for the starring role. Though Paulie, is a great counterpunch to the
he wrote the underdog tale with himself other characters, exuding feelings of
in mind, producers Irwin Winkler and anger, resentment and bitterness, yet
Robert Chartoff (who were interested we know that he is loyal and truly cares
in the script), knew the perils of Featuring a gang of unknown actors, each have appealing moments, it is about his sister and best friend Rocky.
signing an unknown to star. Stallone, Krim queried as to who Stallone was, hard to argue with the supremacy of Though these characters may sound
down on his luck (with no money in the and the executives pointed to the the original film. It features so many like stock stereotypes, in many ways, it
bank – he was so poor he even sold his blondish actor (actually actor Perry memorable moments, from “Yo was this film that thrust these types of
dog, mostly because he could not feed King). Surprised at his non-Italian Adrian!” to Rocky’s training in the personas into that realm. So, join Kurt
it), was offered an impressive three look, they shrugged it off, suggesting meat packing plant and scaling the Angle in stepping through the ropes
hundred and fifty thousand dollars for that his family must come from the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of and watching (or re-watching) this
the story – a large sum of money in Northern part of Italy. Accepting the Art (where a statue of Stallone’s Rocky Stallone flick; you’ll feel like a winner
1976. Gambling, he wouldn’t accept skills of Stallone (once again, King), now stands in honour of the iconic after viewing this knockout of a movie.
unless he was also given the role, which they green lit the film, only to find
they agreed to (if Stallone accepted out, many months later, that they had Warner Insurance presents
their stipulations). Heading to United picked out the wrong guy.
Artists, the studio was not impressed Member of the Month
Carol Goddard
with Stallone (looking for the likes of a Often shot in guerrilla-style, many C ar ol Goddar d
Robert Redford, Burt Reynolds, Ryan of the film’s most iconic moments,
O’Neal or James Caan to take on the the montages of Rocky training, were Carol joined OSGA this year. She took part in darts and bocce
persona of Rocky Balboa), so they cut done without permits or a full crew. ball competitions at the district level and competed in the
the budget to a minuscule one million An example of this finds them driving regional games in bocce ball. Carol enjoyed meeting new
dollars. . . and held the producers liable by the docks, which caught the eye of people and learning to play these sports which she hadn’t
if they went over budget. They did director Avildsen. Stallone popped out played before. She even met up with old friends she hadn’t seen
(by one hundred thousand), and the of the van and the film maker himself in decades.
pair mortgaged their homes to finish shot the famous footage. Another Other Interests and Hobbies
Carol enjoys writing, reading, knitting, crocheting, and
the project (in hindsight, a very good scenario finds Rocky being gazed at by collecting books, and the work of local authors and painters. She enjoys history and volunteers
choice). bemused onlookers at a food market for different historical societies in the area. She also does some work for The Record.
– completely clueless as to what was
To flash back a bit, though United actually going on. At one point, Rocky We hope to see you at more events this year, Carol, and thanks for snapping some great
Artists were not overly fond of photos for us at our AGM!
is tossed an orange by a vendor – a For more OSGA District 8 information contact our District Coordinator at lindad8osga@
Stallone, they accepted it – or so they perfectly-timed spontaneous action. gmail.com or visit https://district8.osga.ca or follow us on Facebook.
thought. The head of the Los Angeles
department for UA, Mike Medavoy, Inspired in part by the Mohammed Home • Auto • Business • Farm Insurance
contacted company CEO Arthur Krim Ali/Chuck Wepner fight on March
– who wanted to know more about 24th, 1975, Rocky is an outstanding
the young writer/want-to-be actor of underdog story – a wondrous version
the project. Medavoy sent a copy of of the ‘American Dream’. One of the
1974’s Lords of Flatbush to Krim, great franchises, it has spawned eight Local
which Stallone acted in and had a sequels, including the most recent Service
writing credit for (he wrote additional extension, 2015’s Creed (which itself www.warnerbrokers.ca Online
dialogue) – Medavoy thought it was has been followed by two sequels Quotes
a sharp example of the actor’s chops. released in 2018 and 2023). Though 613-932-7210 • info@warnerbrokers.ca