by KYW's John Ostapkovich
When Philadelphia appears in film, the area's economic boosters hope it also appeals.
From The Philadelphia Story to Rocky, the region has been portrayed in film and on TV many times, often at a distance. A few skyline shots and exteriors, and the rest is Hollywood.
That's "reel" versus "real," according to Vince Papale, and he ought to know. The story of his unlikely journey to become the oldest rookie ever in the NFL was the subject of the movie Invincible. When Papale (at right with his daughter Gabriella) looks at the film:
"A lot of it rings true, yeah, in some of the houses there and some of the properties we have. I thought that the way the city looked and the way Ericson Core shot it, it was just beautifully shown and tremendously choreographed and shot. And I just loved how it was done."
But, sorry, Vince -- and Rocky. Sharon Pinkenson (right), executive director of the Greater Philadelphia Film Office, has another favorite:
"It is a great director, the two greatest A-list actors of all time, as far as I'm concerned, and it is a movie that changed people's lives. And finally, it's named after the city that I love."
And her winner is... Philadelphia, the movie starring Tom Hanks and Denzel Washington about a young lawyer with AIDS.
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