RSU Public TV, based at Rogers State University in Claremore, Oklahoma, recently completed this 25-minute profile in its "Perspective" series about author, actor and speaker Michael Wallis. Wallis remains best-known for two things -- writing the best-selling "Route 66: The Mother Road" that sparked the renaissance of the historic highway and providing the voice of … Continue reading Public TV station profiles writer Michael Wallis
Category: Movies
Smithsonian Channel’s “Green Book” documentary airs Monday
An hour-long documentary on the Smithsonian Channel, "The Green Book -- Guide to Freedom," will premiere at 8 p.m. Eastern on Monday. The film about the Negro Motorist Green Book, which was published during the Jim Crow segregation era from 1936 to 1966, also will air other times on the channel. Check your local listings. … Continue reading Smithsonian Channel’s “Green Book” documentary airs Monday
“The Bikes of Wrath” traces the Joads’ journey down Route 66
A new documentary, "The Bikes of Wrath," contains an intriguing premise -- five Australians on bicycles trace the path of the Joad family in the John Steinbeck novel "The Grapes of Wrath." PEZ Cycling News reports: The five Australian friends range in age from 24 to 35 and are a diverse lot: two were raised … Continue reading “The Bikes of Wrath” traces the Joads’ journey down Route 66
Man vows to restore 1939 Texaco station in Galena
A veteran recently purchased the 1939 Texaco gas station in downtown Galena, Kansas, and plans to restore it in the coming years. Aaron Perry, a veteran from Wakarusa, Kansas, closed on the deal in the fall for the property at Sixth and Main streets (aka Route 66) in Galena. Wakarusa is about three hours' drive … Continue reading Man vows to restore 1939 Texaco station in Galena
“Cars” director John Lasseter hired by Skydance Animation
Former Pixar Animation chief John Lasseter, director of the Route 66-inspired "Cars" film in 2006, recently was hired as chief of Skydance Animation. Lasseter -- along with the film's vision of the fictional Route 66 town of Radiator Springs -- is the figure most responsible for the Mother Road’s continued renaissance except perhaps Michael Wallis … Continue reading “Cars” director John Lasseter hired by Skydance Animation
A look inside the historic Threatt Filling Station
A few months ago, a prominent Route 66 advocate whispered she'd been inside the Threatt Filling Station along Route 66 near Luther, Oklahoma, and she was blown away by the artifacts inside. Last week, KOKH-TV in Oklahoma City brought a reporter inside the station. Take a look for yourself: More from the story: “I don't … Continue reading A look inside the historic Threatt Filling Station
More about the short-lived Little Beaver Town near Albuquerque
A few days ago, Albuquerque television station KRQE produced a story about Little Beaver Town, a long-gone western-themed amusement park on the city's east edge on Route 66 that went bust after just three seasons during the 1960s. Roland Penttila, who has done a lot of research on Little Beaver Town, figures prominently in this … Continue reading More about the short-lived Little Beaver Town near Albuquerque
Louie the Lumberjack statue in Flagstaff beheaded
The Louie the Lumberjack statue inside Northern Arizona University's Walkup Skydome in Flagstaff was beheaded -- probably as a prank -- after it was taken down in September during stadium renovations. NAZ Today, which is run by the university's students, has the story: https://youtu.be/LROIs4wFqls The university's newspaper, Jack Central, said the headless statue was reported … Continue reading Louie the Lumberjack statue in Flagstaff beheaded
“Almost Ghosts” Route 66 documentary premieres Wednesday in Spain
"Almost Ghosts," a documentary filmed by Ana Ramon Rubio in March along Route 66, will premiere at the Seminci Film Festival in Spain on Wednesday. Among those featured in the film are Harley Russell of the Sandhills Curiosity Shoppe in Erick, Oklahoma. Lowell Davis, an artist who re-created his hometown near Carthage, Missouri; and Angel Delgadillo, … Continue reading “Almost Ghosts” Route 66 documentary premieres Wednesday in Spain
“Outskirts: Route 66” film shows a group’s trip on Route 66 by bicycle
Brennen Matthews of ROUTE Magazine flagged this film, released on YouTube in July, on Facebook a few days ago. The full-length documentary is titled "Outskirts: Route 66," about a group of avid cyclists who try to tackle the full 2,400 miles of the Mother Road. Here's the movie: https://youtu.be/Dh25fH5diwQ The description of the film from … Continue reading “Outskirts: Route 66” film shows a group’s trip on Route 66 by bicycle