And now, for a moment of levity from "Cars." And, yep, there are still plenty of custom-made Frank the Combines for sale on eBay. UPDATE: It looks like the original video was taken down. A substitute was found.
Category: Movies
Route 66 festival shows growth
The Route 66 Days Festival in Flagstaff, Ariz., started three years ago with just 80 classic cars. Now, the festival this year expects to have 300 cars, reports the Arizona Daily Sun. Cars entered in the car show will begin arriving downtown this afternoon. They'll park overnight in the Wheeler Park parking lot and move … Continue reading Route 66 festival shows growth
Send Owen Wilson a card
In case you haven't heard, it's been reported that actor Owen Wilson was hospitalized on Sunday. Through his publicist, Wilson on Monday requested privacy so he can recuperate. And his parents and brothers were with him at the hospital, so it appears he's getting the support he needs from family. Wilson will always earn a … Continue reading Send Owen Wilson a card
Filmmakers to do a Route 66 tour
The producers of an independent film, "Commute," are planning a tour on Route 66 next year to open their film and shoot a documentary. Here's the plot summary by co-director Marc Wasserman, as posted on the International Movie Database site: The film follows the COMMUTER, as he embarks on his daily drive from Orange County … Continue reading Filmmakers to do a Route 66 tour
“Cars” Blu-ray DVD coming in November
As expected, Disney is releasing a high-definition, Blu-ray DVD version of "Cars" on Nov. 6, according to the International Movie Database. Disney's Blu-ray site reveals the DVD will contain what is termed as a "Cine-Explore" interactive feature, in which director John Lasseter provides behind-the-scenes footage on the movie's making. There's also a "Car-Finder" feature, to … Continue reading “Cars” Blu-ray DVD coming in November
“Sarge” toy recalled because of lead paint
Mattel announced today it is voluntarily recalling 436,000 Sarge toys from the "Cars" movie because of elevated levels of lead paint by a Chinese subcontractor. According to the company's release: The recall of the Sarge toy results from Mattel's increased investigation and ongoing testing procedures following the recall of select Fisher-Price toys on August 1, … Continue reading “Sarge” toy recalled because of lead paint
Tow Tater vandalized
Tow Tater, the 1951 International boom truck (shown above in May) that was a primary inspiration for Mater in the movie "Cars," was vandalized late Friday or early Saturday in front of the 1940s-era gas station that's become a Route 66 welcome center in Galena, Kan. Melba Rigg, one of the Four Women on the … Continue reading Tow Tater vandalized
“RV” cast gets its kicks
The film "RV" was a critical bomb, but one of its bright spots was that its cast sang Bobby Troup's "Route 66" at the end. Co-star Kristin Chenoweth is from Oklahoma, so she does the yodeling thing pretty well.
Notes from the road
Seaba Station near Wellston, Okla., has been put up for sale. I'd been aware that Sue Preston and her husband, Sonny, had moved nearly 50 miles away to Yukon and that the operating hours of the Route 66 antique store had become sporadic. The well-maintained Seaba Station sits on more than an acre, and the … Continue reading Notes from the road
“Easy Rider’s” opening credits
Many a road trip on Route 66 has been inspired by the opening credits of the 1969 movie, "Easy Rider," with its sweeping cinematography by Laszlo Kovacs (who died a few days ago) and Steppenwolf's "Born to Be Wild" pulsing over the soundtrack. Here it is: Longtime roadies will recognize a few Route 66 spots … Continue reading “Easy Rider’s” opening credits