Filmmaker P.J. Palmer of (twenty)2 films is making a documentary movie about John Steinbeck's "The Grapes of Wrath" novel after acquiring official rights from the Steinbeck estate, according to a news release. The new documentary "The Grapes of Wrath: We Shall Overcome" began filming in New York City last month interviewing James Franco, who is currently … Continue reading Filmmaker is shooting documentary about “The Grapes of Wrath”
Category: Books
Book review: “On Reading The Grapes of Wrath”
I have bad news and good news about Susan Shillinglaw's "On Reading The Grapes of Wrath," a behind-the-scenes look on the writing and marketing of John Steinbeck's classic and controversial novel that marks its 75th anniversary this year. The bad news is Shillinglaw's book (paperback, 206 pages, Penguin) delves very little into the Joad family's journey on Route 66 ("the road … Continue reading Book review: “On Reading The Grapes of Wrath”
Artist will hold public unveiling of Gay Parita painting
Route 66 artist Jerry McClanahan will have a public unveiling of his newest painting of Gary Turner's Gay Parita gas station at the station near Halltown, Mo., on Saturday, May 17. According to a news release from the Oklahoma Route 66 Association, a meet-and-greet with hot dogs and soda will be at noon, with the official unveiling at … Continue reading Artist will hold public unveiling of Gay Parita painting
“The Grapes of Wrath” was published 75 years ago today
John Steinbeck's famous novel about the Great Depression and a family's Moses-like journey on Route 66, "The Grapes of Wrath," was published 75 years ago today. The National Steinbeck Center in Salinas, Calif., is marking the anniversary all year, and I'll post a review of a new book about the writing of the novel when … Continue reading “The Grapes of Wrath” was published 75 years ago today
A trip down Memory Lane in a 1950 Hudson
Here's a nearly quarter-century-old video from Dan Uscian cruising Route 66 near Lexington, Ill., in his 1950 Hudson, including a 1926 alignment now called Memory Lane that includes re-creations of vintage billboards. The original stretch of Route 66 in Lexington is open for pedestrians or cycling, but townsfolk reopen it for vehicular traffic on special … Continue reading A trip down Memory Lane in a 1950 Hudson
Book review: “By Mopar to the Golden Gate”
What would it be like to travel the length of the Lincoln Highway, then return home on much of Route 66, in a classic car? Denny Gibson, a longtime aficionado of historic roads and an occasional commenter on this website, provides the answer in a new book, "By Mopar to the Golden Gate" (140 pages, … Continue reading Book review: “By Mopar to the Golden Gate”
Route 66 roadies’ memories of Jay Leno
In case you missed it, Jay Leno logged his last night Thursday as host of NBC's "The Tonight Show" after 22 years in the chair. You can watch the entire episode online, but here's his emotional and graceful goodbye: Even though Leno is known as a car nut, not many roadies can claim they had … Continue reading Route 66 roadies’ memories of Jay Leno
Religious imagery and “The Grapes of Wrath”
Frank Gifford of rt66pix.com recently was interviewed by Susan Olasky of WORLD radio, which is part of a Christianity-based multimedia group. Gifford explained how he found Christian imagery in John Steinbeck's seminal novel, "The Grapes of Wrath," much of which takes place on Route 66 during the Depression: WORLD radio also linked to this University … Continue reading Religious imagery and “The Grapes of Wrath”
Book review: “Route 66 Treasures”
A new book from prolific author Jim Hinckley, "Route 66 Treasures" (64 pages, hardback, Voyageur Press, $30 U.S. retail) might seem just a simple collection of facsimile souvenirs from the Mother Road. It is that, but it's more. Although its 64 pages seem to be a slim book, Hinckley and more than 100 color illustrations … Continue reading Book review: “Route 66 Treasures”
Trip on Route 66 inspires new children’s book
Avid cyclist Steve Kime, who bicycled the length of Oklahoma nearly a decade ago for the Special Olympics, drew inspiration from a Route 66 trip for a new children's book, "Rollin on Route 66." The Edmond Sun caught up with Kime, who explained that the fiction book in sprinkled with real-life stories he experienced on … Continue reading Trip on Route 66 inspires new children’s book