City Councilwoman Carole Young wants a distinctive brand to help sell the city of Kingman, Ariz., to tourists, according to the Kingman Daily Miner. That's a worthy goal. But here's where she unwittingly runs off the rails: Another problem, Young said, is that while Kingman can draw the baby boomer crowd in with its connection … Continue reading Councilor seeks brand for Kingman
Category: Movies
John Wayne memorabilia displayed at Williams museum
"Chili" Bill Brooks was John Wayne's pilot for about 10 years, when he flew the actor down to his two ranches in Arizona. Brooks befriended Wayne, famed for his roles in "True Grit," "The Searchers" and hundreds of other Westerns, until his death in 1979. The Wayne memorabilia that Brooks collected over the years now … Continue reading John Wayne memorabilia displayed at Williams museum
“Sh-Boom”
A great scene in "Cars" from the fictional Route 66 town of Radiator Springs. A lot of people who didn't understand the allure of neon lighting "got it" after that scene. Music by The Chords, on what is arguably the first rock 'n' roll song.
Movie’s setting is on Route 66
This sounds promising. A movie starring Renee Zellweger, "My One and Only," is at least partially set on Route 66, according to the Mountain View Telegraph in New Mexico. The movie, set in 1953, is based on the early life of actor George Hamilton, on the road with his mother and brother. Zellweger, as glamorous … Continue reading Movie’s setting is on Route 66
Notes from the road
The Motel Safari in Tucumcari, N.M., has added another mural image, courtesy of local artist Doug Quarles. It's a 1953 Flxible Clipper bus. Motel owner Richard Talley also passed along this news: On another note, we just had our first celebrity guest check-in! No, it wasn't Sir Paul!!! During the annual Rattler Reunion weekend, a … Continue reading Notes from the road
When the going gets weird …
A few weeks ago, an Italian film crew dressed in superhero costumes was traveling down Route 66 for a twisted documentary called "Roast to Coast." The San Bernardino County Sun reported: The four, with cameras in hand, are asking anyone they encounter to either kiss or lick a 10-pound roast they are hauling on their … Continue reading When the going gets weird …
Indie film being shot in Missouri, Oklahoma
A crew from Sleuth Productions in Brooklyn, N.Y., was in Webb City, Mo., on Thursday to shoot footage for an independent film, titled "Soft Rot." Route 66er Rod Harsh wrote in an e-mail: The first location was a 1915 U.S. Filling Station at Daugherty and Liberty Streets, one block off Old 66 that is owned … Continue reading Indie film being shot in Missouri, Oklahoma
“Mater and the Ghost Light”
Well, lookee here. Someone has posted the Pixar short, "Mater and the Ghost Light," from the "Cars" DVD. Route 66 author Michael Wallis, playing his role as the Sheriff of the fictional Route 66 town of Radiator Springs, has a prominent role. The Ghost Light, by the way, is inspired by the mysterious Spook Light … Continue reading “Mater and the Ghost Light”
R.I.P., Fillmore
On Sunday night, it was learned the comedian George Carlin died of heart failure at a Los Angeles hospital. Carlin is best-known for stand-up comedy that was biting and irreverent, yet revealed a love of the English language (even those famed "Seven Words You Can Never Say on Television"). Carlin also was the voice of … Continue reading R.I.P., Fillmore
A view from across the pond
Here's an interesting view of Route 66 from Tony Collins of the Birmingham Mail in England. An excerpt: Interest began to grow following publication of a Route 66 book in the 1990s. But the scores of ordinary townsfolk dotted along its path are most indebted to 2006 animated movie Cars. In fact, my amazing two-week … Continue reading A view from across the pond