Mark Silverstein, who announced last year he was making a documentary about Route 66 artist Bob Waldmire, provided more details on the film to Springfield (Ill.) State Journal-Register columnist Dave Bakke.
This week, Mark and his wife, Maggie Schmidt, and a cinematographer are working on their film in Springfield and at the Route 66 Association of Illinois Hall of Fame and Museum in Pontiac.
“It’s become my passion,” says Mark, who started the project last year. “After this series of interviews, we’ll be shooting along Route 66. Then we’re at a stopping point, unless we get funding. So far, we’ve been paying out of pocket for this.”
He wants to create a 90-minute film on Bob, the artist and Route 66 icon whose father, Ed, started the legendary Cozy Dog Drive-In after inventing the hot dog on a stick. Mark and Maggie were at the Cozy Dog a few days ago to meet with Bob’s brother, Buz Waldmire. Buz is being interviewed for the film, along with other of Bob Waldmire’s central Illinois friends and family.
For funding, don’t be surprised if Silverstein uses a Kickstarter campaign.
Here’s one of the most intriguing parts of the article:
Mark and Maggie have visited Bob’s home near Portal and have some of his belongings stored at their home. Those things include a pile of cassette tapes. Mark doesn’t know what’s on those tapes but hopes it’s Bob’s voice.
“We want Bob to narrate his story,” Mark says.
Since Waldmire’s death from cancer in 2009, several clips of him have emerged on the Internet, including an interview by Jay Crim. And Rod Harsh found this once-misplaced 30-minute interview.
Silverstein said a year ago he anticipated it would take two years to finish the film, which would put a finished product at fall 2014.