Artist Bob Waldmire, famous for his intricate Route 66-inspired artwork and being the unofficial inspiration to hippie van Fillmore in the Disney/Pixar movie "Cars," has been diagnosed with terminal cancer, reports Dave Bakke of the Springfield (Ill.) State Journal-Register. Waldmire, 64, usually lives in the southern Arizona mountains during the wintertime and spends the rest … Continue reading Bob Waldmire saying goodbye
Category: Movies
Documentary film crew stops in Tucumcari
A crew for the documentary "Alfred & Jakobine" stopped Sunday on Route 66 in Tucumcari, N.M., in the early stages of production for the film, reported Richard Talley of the Motel Safari in town. Here's a blog entry from the filmmakers about their pit stop in Tucumcari, with lots of photos. The film is a … Continue reading Documentary film crew stops in Tucumcari
Route 66 documentary to be screened at Coleman Theatre
"Bones of the Old Road," a documentary about exploring obscure alignments of Route 66, will be screened at the historic Coleman Theatre in Miami, Okla., at 7 p.m. Nov. 24. The film's hosts, Route 66 researchers Jim Ross and Jerry McClanahan, along with "Bones of the Old Road" camera operator, producer and editor Kathy Anderson, … Continue reading Route 66 documentary to be screened at Coleman Theatre
More “Cars” toys released
The Disney/Pixar animated movie "Cars" was released over three years ago, and people still are collecting the toys and other memorabilia that the film spawned. "Cars" wasn't Pixar's biggest hit, but memorabilia has generated hundreds of millions of dollars in sales. Longtime Texas Route 66 fan Becky Ransom, who's a collector of "Cars" stuff herself, … Continue reading More “Cars” toys released
Neighborhood opposition shoots down Bonnie and Clyde B+B
Opposition from the neighborhood thwarted a zoning permit request to convert a garage apartment in Joplin, Mo., that was once used by famed outlaws Bonnie and Clyde into a bed-and-breakfast, reports the Joplin Globe. The apartment, which was used by the Barrow gang for 12 days in 1933 before shooting their way out and killing … Continue reading Neighborhood opposition shoots down Bonnie and Clyde B+B
Steve McQueen’s Oklahoma connection
I always wondered how Route 66 Vintage Iron in Miami, Okla., managed to acquire one of movie star Steve McQueen's motorcycles. McQueen's bio has him in Missouri, Indiana and California, but not the Sooner State. NWAOnline answers the question: McQueen, who starred in films like "The Magnificent Seven," "Hell is for Heroes" and "Bullitt," had … Continue reading Steve McQueen’s Oklahoma connection
“Life is a Highway” voted top road song
The Econo Lodge motel chain held a contest for the top-road song this summer, with 20,000 people casting their votes. This was No. 1. Yep. Tom Cochrane's 1991 hit beat 'em all. The fact Rascal Flatts had a big hit with its version as well -- and it was attached to a certain hit movie … Continue reading “Life is a Highway” voted top road song
Rock ‘n’ roll film takes place on Route 66
There's a film being screened at the upcoming Woodstock Film Festival titled "The Perfect Age of Rock 'n' Roll" that features a significant part of its plot on Route 66. Here's the film's Web site, and here's the synopsis: A pair of longtime friends channel their talent and passion for music into a cross-country road … Continue reading Rock ‘n’ roll film takes place on Route 66
More revealed about Cars Land
Orlando Attractions magazine went to the Walt Disney Park & Resorts exhibit at the D23 Expo in Anaheim, Calif., to check out upcoming attractions for Disney theme parks, including the Cars Land complex that's based on the fictional Route 66 town of Radiator Springs in the movie "Cars." Here's a video at the booth. The … Continue reading More revealed about Cars Land
More plot details on “Cars 2”
During an interview in London, Disney-Pixar animation chief John Lasseter revealed a few more plot details about "Cars 2," the sequel to the original "Cars" movie that took place on Route 66, to Empire Online. The story sees Lightning McQueen (Owen Wilson), his pit team and new pit boss Mater head around the world for the Race … Continue reading More plot details on “Cars 2”