Today in Film History (November 20th, 1976): "Rocky" Premieres in New York!

On November 20th, 1976, the iconic boxing film, "Rocky", starring Sylvestor Stallone premiered in New York City. Directed by John G. Avildsen, and written by Stallone, it is the first installment in the "Rocky" film franchise. It is said that Stallone wrote the whole script in three days, and the film entered development in March 1975. The film was released nationwide on December 3rd, 1976, and became the highest-grossing film of 1976, with an estimated box office gross of $225 million worldwide on a $1.1 million budget. The film was praised by critics, and received ten Academy Award nominations, and won three, including Best Picture. The film's theme song, "Gonna Fly Now" by Bill Conti, reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1977.