Here is a segment of "Return to the Road" documentary, a look at modern-day Route 66 starring Martin Milner before he became ill a few years ago. Using the near-deserted Rock Cut segment and the quiet village of Devils Elbow in Missouri, this segment looks at the more contemplative stretches of a once-bustling Mother Road. … Continue reading Ghost Road
Category: Movies
His own Cozy Cone
Rick Shalander of Whites Creek, Tenn., liked the "Cars" movie and decided to re-create one of the Cozy Cone Motel cabins in the film. He's going to use it as a place to park his motorcycle. He's building it out of of salvaged materials, including a motor from a hospital bed that will be used … Continue reading His own Cozy Cone
“My Blueberry Nights” trailer
This is the United Kingdom trailer for the Wong Kar Wai film, "My Blueberry Nights." I used it because it's about a minute longer than the other trailers out there, and you get a better feel for the director's visual sense. The road-trip film reportedly takes place in several Route 66 diners. It's scheduled for … Continue reading “My Blueberry Nights” trailer
Michael Wallis named as consultant to Cars Land
Disney Imagineering has hired Michael Wallis as a consultant for the Cars Land amusement park, based on the "Cars" animated movie, that will be built at Disneyland Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, Calif. Wallis has written the best-selling "Route 66: The Mother Road," served as a consultant to the "Cars" movie and was the voice of … Continue reading Michael Wallis named as consultant to Cars Land
A chat with Kirk Hallam
This week, I talked on the phone with Kirk Hallam, owner and president of Roxbury Entertainment. We talked about the company's DVD re-releases of the "Route 66" television series and an upcoming "Route 66" film, based on the 1960s TV show, that he is producing. A lot of interesting information was revealed by Hallam during … Continue reading A chat with Kirk Hallam
Don’t pass us by
Stopping to chat with customers at 4 Women on the Route in Galena, Kan., Washington Post reporter Warren Brown laments what happened to towns along Route 66 that were bypassed by the interstate. Why did it happen? Brown concludes it was money -- or the lack of it: Modern interstates sped up the cross-country commute … Continue reading Don’t pass us by
Daring version
Here's a version of Bobby Troup's "Route 66" that I previously was unaware. It's a scene from the 1948 movie "Three Daring Daughters." I'm not positive, but I think it's Jane Powell and Ann Todd singing. The person who posted the video won't allow it to be embedded, but you can watch it by clicking … Continue reading Daring version
Review: “Dinosaurs Across Route 66” comic
Many Route 66 aficionados are, to put it gently, a little long in the tooth. So many of them fret about whether there will be enough young people interested in the Mother Road to keep it viable in the future. That's why many roadies rejoiced at the 2006 release of Disney-Pixar's animated movie, "Cars," which … Continue reading Review: “Dinosaurs Across Route 66” comic
“Two-Lane Blacktop” released in two-DVD set
The 1971 cult film "Two-Lane Blacktop," which starred a young James Taylor and was shot in several spots on Route 66, was released a few days ago as a two-disc set by the Criterion Collection. Amazon.com has it here for $29.99, a discount of about 10 bucks. Warren Clements of the Toronto Globe and Mail … Continue reading “Two-Lane Blacktop” released in two-DVD set
Both sides now
Scott Leitner of Athos Video Productions has posted two very good videos that were inspired by the "Cars" movie to YouTube. Made about 18 months ago, they originally were big Windows Media files that took a few minutes to download before viewing. YouTube files are more user-friendly. Here is his moving video of declining landmarks … Continue reading Both sides now