F.I.S.T.

F.I.S.T. This 1978 movie directed by Norman Jewison starred Sylvester Stallone, the writer and star of Rocky, the Best Picture of 1977. Stallone played a Cleveland warehouse worker "Johnny Kovak" who becomes involved in the labor union leadership of the fictional "Federation of Inter-State Truckers." Kovak sacrifices his principles as he moves up through the union and attempts to expand its influence.

Photo courtesy: Kendall C. Day Family Collection

The disclosure that the film would be made in Dubuque was announced to a select group of local citizens on February 22, 1977. It was announced that the film would have an $8 million budget and be a major project for United Artists. Among the reasons given for the selection of Dubuque was the absence of television antennas that would conflict with the look of the 1930s, the era in which the movie's action was to take place.

Filming began on May 9 and continued through June. An army of extras was provided with haircuts of the era, costumes, and props. Portions of the CARADCO building were fitted with new windows that were purposely smashed during filming and then replaced before the company left town.

Perhaps the most attention was reserved for Stallone who worked in a guarded room at the Julien Motor Inn on the script for a sequel to "Rocky," a film called Paradise Alley. Occasionally Stallone ventured out with his bodyguard providing fortunate residents with a view of the star off the set.

Photo courtesy: Bob Reding

The last filming took place on July 1st in the basement of SACRED HEART CHURCH. Seven Dubuque-area residents moved west with the crew of F.I.S.T. John Cahill, Stallone's chauffeur in Dubuque, accompanied the actor on his next Rambo movie.

In February 1978, the TELEGRAPH HERALD announced the newest official Dubuque CITY DIRECTORY contained some unexpected entries. Page 309 listed both John and Anna Kovaks, the fictional characters portrayed by Stallone and co-star Melinda Dillon, and the address of the brick duplex on East 22nd which was used to portray their home. Stallone was listed on page 535 and Dillon was mentioned on page 121. Local 302 Federation of Interstate Truckers Union appeared in the 1977 Dubuque City Directory listed at 406 E. 7th. (1)

Stars in the production of "F.I.S.T." left their foot and handprints in concrete outside of Kalmes restaurant.

In October, 2017 while preparing an article on the making of the motion picture, Mike Day of the Telegraph Herald found the sidewalk panels containing the foot and hand prints of the actors had been removed from in front of Kalmes restaurant. More detective work found the sections of concrete in a maintenance garage belonging to the city. (2)

Contacted in 2017, Norman Jewison, the director of the movie, recollection that he had to use Sylvester Stallone because of his recent "Rocky" success. Stallone did not like to see his character disappear at the end of the movie--similar to the disappearance of Jimmy Hoffa of the Teamsters Union. Joe Eszterhaus, the writer of the screenwriter, and Jewison, however, decided on the ending with trucks all over the United States carrying signs,"Where's Johnny?(Stallone's character. Jewison also remembered the wonderful setting in Dubuque because they gave the film "reality and believability." (3)

Photo courtesy: Kendall C. Day Family Collection

F.I.S.T. pendant

Photo courtesy: https://www.facebook.com/pages/You-know-you-grew-up-in-Dubuque-Iowa-if-you-remember/130170407077838

Photo courtesy: Bob Reding

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Source:

1. Discovered when developing entries for this encyclopedia.

2. Email from Mike Day, October 19, 2017

3. Frenzel, Anthony. " 'F.I.S.T.' Director Recalls Dubuque Fit the Role," Telegraph Herald, November 13, 2017, p. 5A