Those who stick around to read the end credits to "Cars" will notice that Pixar included a thank-you list to people who inspired and gave them hospitality during their research trip down the Mother Road several years ago. I e-mailed Pixar for that list, as I thought it would be of considerable interest to the … Continue reading Pixar’s Route 66 inspirations
Author: Ron Warnick
I'm the editor and publisher of Route 66 News, a clearinghouse of events, information, and entertainment pertaining to historic U.S. 66, the Mother Road.
Were the opening-weekend grosses of “Cars” a disappointment?
Well, maybe ... if you had really high box-office expectations like Jim Hill Media and others did. "Cars" is the first Pixar film to not do better on its opening weekend than its last one. "The Incredibles" grossed $70.5 million its opening weekend, and its predecessor, "Finding Nemo," grossed $70.3 million. "Cars" grossed an estimated … Continue reading Were the opening-weekend grosses of “Cars” a disappointment?
Filmmaker says “Cars” may fuel a renaissance
A news release came out today of Jim Jenner of Paccom Films essentially hawking his Route 66 documentaries. But Jenner certainly has one thing right -- Pixar's "Cars" film "could be the biggest thing to hit the highway in many years." "It may be a cartoon, but Pixar has done a terrific job in helping … Continue reading Filmmaker says “Cars” may fuel a renaissance
Galaxies shine during Mother Road tour
The Kansas City chapter of the Ford Galaxie Club of America made a stop in Bloomington, Ill., on Sunday on their way west down Route 66 to California. Here's the story from the Bloomington Pantagraph. For more about the Galaxie club's tour, go to its Web site here.
Thunderbird Motel neon sign sells for $24,000
The Thunderbird Motel's neon sign, which once graced Route 66 in Miami, Okla., sold for $24,000 at the Dingman Ford estate auction in New Hampshire this past weekend, reports the Boston Globe.
“Cars” news roundup for June 11
The Enid (Okla.) News and Eagle interviewed Dawn Welch of the Rock Cafe in Stroud, Okla., and author Michael Wallis about their roles in "Cars" and Route 66. Incidentally, business at Welch's restaurant has reportedly gotten "crazy" since the film's opening, so go there during off-peak hours if you can. There's also a side story … Continue reading “Cars” news roundup for June 11
Bloggers chime in about “Cars”
Instead of just movie reviews about the film "Cars," I looked for bloggers who provided a different perspective about the film. Billy Belk of The Sacred in the Secular talks about the film (caution: it gives away the ending) and came away with this moral: Unlike the Nascar world for which it is based, Cars … Continue reading Bloggers chime in about “Cars”
Route 66 shields being painted on New Mexico roads
The Route 66 Chamber of Commerce, based in New Mexico, has begun painting Route 66 shields on the roadway, including more obscure alignments like the one that runs south of Albuquerque to Los Lunas, according to the Valencia County News-Bulletin. The road stencils can be seen here. The main reason the group is painting the … Continue reading Route 66 shields being painted on New Mexico roads
Long line of cars for “Cars”
Ace Jackalope of The Lope blog drove to the 66 Drive-In in Carthage, Mo., on Friday night to see the premiere of Pixar's "Cars." The above photo is what he first encountered on the highway leading to the theater. The Lope reported that 200 cars had to be turned away. But Ace got in. Go … Continue reading Long line of cars for “Cars”
Open city
The Route 66 town of Elkhart, Ill., is only 450 people, and the townsfolk are concerned that it will eventually lose its grade school. So Elkhart is holding an open house this weekend for the entire town in the hopes it will entice more people to move there. Just about every business and public building … Continue reading Open city