Rocky fan Jessica Boulton is knocked out by Philadelphia
IT’S not often I’m grateful to a dog trying to nip at my heels – but halfway up the famous Rocky steps, the yapping critter just provides a welcome excuse to take a breather.
Once, the 72 stone steps in front of the Philadelphia Museum of Art would only be taken by the hardcore art lovers, desperate to see the Van Goghs, Duchamps and Picassos inside. But on January 1, 1977 they had became famous across the globe thanks to ... Rocky Balboa.
Just as the low budget movie – released in the UK 40 years ago – made a star of Sly Stallone, it also made a modern movie mecca of Philadelphia.
That triumphant scene of Rocky racing up the steps, finally confident he might have a chance to beat Apollo Creed, has gone down in silver screen history.
Now, hundreds of people try to recreate it, tourists, locals, fitness fanatics, and film fans among them.
In fact, ask any native Philadelphian and they’re guaranteed to have a favourite scene, even a favourite line.
Few movies after all could more perfectly capture the essence of a city. Philadelphia has always been home to the underdog with the can do attitude.
It was here the founding fathers banded together and defied the overwhelming forces of Britain to gain independence. It’s here that teenage runaway Benjamin Franklin set up home and invented everything from flippers to bifocals and became the first US Postmaster General.
Likewise, the movie itself would never have been made if the studio had its way. It had squeezed the budget, until it was barely a shoestring.
But like his hero, Sly wasn’t letting his baby go down without a fight.
They got creative. And just a few months after its release it was picking up the Best Picture Oscar.
At the foot of the art museum steps, now stands a two- tonne 10ft- tall bronze statue of Rocky himself.
As well as Rocky fun runs, there’s now a four- hour private driving Rocky tour on which you can visit the locations of the original movie, and 2015’ s Creed, a spin off in which Sylvester Stallone reprised his role as Rocky Balboa.
The tour also gives you a much better chance to actually see the real Philly. You see the Italian market, with its intoxicating brightly coloured streets of fresh food and meats, and Pat’s King of Steaks, the most famous home of the Philly Cheesesteak.
You also visit the Italian Stallion’s home in Kensington, where the rumble of the El- train is a constant hum behind the banter of beerswigging men sat on their doorsteps. is chic, contemporary and cool. And it’s just a five- minute walk to the unmissable One Liberty Observation Deck.
The 360 degree outlook on the 57th floor of the One Liberty skyscraper is open day and night. I’d recommend going in the evening, when you can see Philly lit up for miles.
And unlike the view from top of Rocky Steps, this sight comes with another advantage – a lift.