Rocky Steps facts for kids
The Rocky Steps are 72 stone steps in Philadelphia. They lead up to the East entrance of the Philadelphia Museum of Art. These steps became famous after being shown in the 1976 movie Rocky.
In the movie, Rocky Balboa, a boxer played by Sylvester Stallone, trains hard for a big fight. He runs up these steps as part of his training. This scene is one of the most famous in movie history. Many visitors today like to run up the steps just like Rocky did. It has become a symbol of someone working hard to achieve a big goal.
At the bottom right of the steps, there is a bronze statue of Rocky. It's a popular spot for people to take photos. From the top of the steps, you can see a great view of Eakins Oval, the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, and Philadelphia City Hall.
History of the Rocky Steps
The idea for the famous scene came from Rocky creator Sylvester Stallone. In 1976, the movie crew had a small budget. They found the steps one night while looking for places to film in the city. Stallone first thought Rocky should carry his dog, Butkus, up the steps. But the dog was too heavy.
The amazing view from the top of the steps inspired him to film the scene without the dog. In the 2006 movie Rocky Balboa, Rocky does lift his dog, Punchy, at the top. The movie Rocky Balboa also shows many people running up the steps in its ending credits. The 72 steps are divided into six parts. The top part has seven steps, and the other five parts each have thirteen steps.
This scene was one of the first times a special camera was used in a major movie. This camera, called a Steadicam, helps film smoothly even when the camera operator is moving or climbing steps.
The Rocky Statue's Journey
Before the movie Rocky III came out in 1982, Sylvester Stallone asked an artist named A. Thomas Schomberg to make a bronze statue of Rocky. Three large copies of the statue were made. Each one weighed 2 tons and was 10 feet tall.
One statue was placed at the top of the steps for the filming of Rocky III. Later, it was moved to the bottom of the steps. Another statue was in a sports museum in San Diego, California. That museum closed in 2017. Sylvester Stallone himself bought that statue.
In 2006, the artist realized the mold for the statue was getting old. So, a third and final statue was made. This one was put up for auction to raise money for a sports history organization. It is now shown at the Schomberg Studios Gallery in Denver, Colorado.
After the movie Rocky III was filmed, there was a discussion about the statue. The Philadelphia Museum of Art and the city's Art Commission debated if the statue was "art." City officials thought it was just a "movie prop." So, they moved it to the Philadelphia Spectrum, which was a sports arena.
The statue was brought back to the Art Museum for the filming of Rocky V. Then it was moved back to the Spectrum. In its place, a bronze outline of sneaker footprints with the name "Rocky" was put on the steps. The statue's removal was even mentioned as a joke in the movie Rocky Balboa.
On September 8, 2006, the Rocky statue was finally returned to the Art Museum. It was placed on a stand in a grassy area near the bottom of the steps. There was a special event to celebrate its return. The mayor of Philadelphia, John Street, said that the steps were a top tourist spot. He also said that Stallone, who was from New York City, had become "the city's favorite adopted son."
See also
In Spanish: Rocky steps para niños
- Rocky statue in Žitište
- Potemkin Stairs
- Exorcist steps
- Joker Stairs
- The Music Box Steps
