He liked the great marquee potential of Rocky's dramatic nickname for their match-up: APOLLO CREED MEETS THE ITALIAN STALLION.The film was nominated for nine Academy Awards, and won six - Best Director (the first Oscar for Stevens), Best Screenplay (Michael Wilson and Harry Brown), Best B/W Cinematography (William Mellor), Best Dramatic Score, Best Film Editing, and Best B/W Costume Design (Edith Head).But down thesemean streetsa man must go who is not himself mean, who is neither tarnished nor afraid.The Mother's Fortunes:The inter-title stated: "The woman - now a star of great prominence." The Woman had become a successful opera singer with great material success.After a recent performance, she had received a large floral arrangement with a congratulatory note: "Congratulations on your performance last night.It seemed to me I stood by the iron gate leading to the drive, and for a while I could not enter for he way was barred to me.