“Interstate”

Here's a movie made a few years ago that took Route 66 elements as bits of inspiration. It's about 80 minutes, and a few breaks for advertising are sprinkled in. It's an early YouTube effort to stream movies. Fair warning: It's got a bit of adult language and adult situations, so it's probably not appropriate … Continue reading “Interstate”

Notes from the road

The documentary "Route 66: Ten Years Later" will have its debut at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 9 at the Portage Theater in Chicago. Writer Tim Steil and photographer Jim Luning collaborated on their "Route 66" book during a Mother Road trip in 1999. A decade later, they decided to revisit the places they saw and see … Continue reading Notes from the road

“Cars” movie launches online community

Disney has started an online community, World of Cars Online, for fans of the hit 2006 Disney-Pixar animated movie "Cars," reported the Los Angeles Times. The reason for launching the site seems obvious. But in case you're out of the loop: The Burbank entertainment giant plans to begin revving its marketing engine for the virtual … Continue reading “Cars” movie launches online community

Filmmakers plan documentary on Benld’s Coliseum

Former schoolteachers Jim Marcacci and Bruce Logsdon have started planning a documentary about the history of the colorful Coliseum music venue in Benld, Ill., according to the Springfield State Journal-Register. The Coliseum, which sits on an early alignment of Route 66 and predates the road, now exists as a sprawling antiques mall. But vestiges of … Continue reading Filmmakers plan documentary on Benld’s Coliseum

The creation of Mater

Jim Hill at Jim Hill Media got himself a copy of a new book, "Two Guys Named Joe: Master Animation Storytellers Joe Grant & Joe Ranft." Ranft could do killer impersonations of hillbillies (a toothless one in particular he called "Chucky Eisner"). But he also ultimately was reluctant to demean them in any way. An … Continue reading The creation of Mater

Waldmire vehicles will be displayed at Illinois museum

Two vehicles owned by the late Route 66 artist Bob Waldmire, including his beloved 1972 Volkswagen minibus, will go on display at the Illinois Route 66 Hall of Fame and Museum in Pontiac, reported the Illinois Route 66 Association website today. The other vehicle is a school bus Waldmire converted into a small home at … Continue reading Waldmire vehicles will be displayed at Illinois museum

Notes from the road

The Fanning 66  Outpost in the Route 66 hamlet of Fanning, Mo., is hosting its annual Picture in the Rocker Day on Aug. 7, where you can enjoy the rare opportunity of sitting (or standing) on the World's Largest Rocking Chair. The Viva Cuba blog had some of the details: The Outpost charges $5.00 per … Continue reading Notes from the road

Notes from the road

It wasn't a pleasant afternoon or evening in the St. Louis region for Route 66 travelers -- or for any travelers, for that matter. Two to four inches of rain fell in a short time Wednesday afternoon, causing flash flooding in low-lying areas, according to various media reports. That included several feet of water at … Continue reading Notes from the road

RFD-TV buys Roy Rogers’ horse, dog at auction

Cable television channel RFD-TV gave thought about purchasing all of the memorabilia from the Roy Rogers and Dale Evans museum when its contents were put on the auction block a few days ago. Instead, it bought the next-best thing. RFD-TV president Patrick Gottsch purchased the movie cowboy's beloved horse, Trigger, for $266,500. After Trigger died … Continue reading RFD-TV buys Roy Rogers’ horse, dog at auction

Secluded Newberry Springs ranch used as movie set

I didn't know a ranch in the Route 66 town of Newberry Springs, Calif., has been often used as a movie set. I'll bet you didn't, either. But, according to the Victorville Daily Press, Spike Lynch’s hidden Roughout Ranch (between Interstate 15 and I-40) has been used as a film-shoot location in each of the … Continue reading Secluded Newberry Springs ranch used as movie set