The Joplin (Mo.) Globe has a story about how Route 66 communities in southwest Missouri, southeast Kansas and northeast Oklahoma are making greater efforts to restore their vintage gas stations. The story goes over territory that Route 66 News has already covered, but it does confirm that there indeed seems to be a movement afoot. … Continue reading Preserve those gas stations
Category: Movies
Dust Bowl aria
"The Grapes of Wrath" was an acclaimed novel by John Steinbeck. Then it became an acclaimed movie, starring a young Henry Fonda. It later became an acclaimed, Tony-winning play on Broadway. Now, "The Grapes of Wrath" as an opera? It's appears so. The Salt Lake Tribune in Salt Lake City reports that the story of … Continue reading Dust Bowl aria
Big Mama’s big voice
This is a version of "Route 66" by Kim Hyun Jung, who uses the stage name Big Mama King, or BMK. She's known as one of the best jazz singers in Korea, and has the big pipes to prove it.
Reviews trickle in for “My Blueberry Nights”
Although there are few specifics about the shooting locations, early reviews confirm that Route 66 plays a fairly prominent role in the new film by Chinese director Wong Kar Wai, "My Blueberry Nights," which premieres at the Cannes Film Festival next week. Emmanuel Levy is the first to submit a review to Rotten Tomatoes, and … Continue reading Reviews trickle in for “My Blueberry Nights”
Norah Jones film reportedly filmed on Route 66
"My Blueberry Nights" is set to premiere at the Cannes Film Festival on May 16 as the cinema debut of sublime singer Norah Jones. It also stars Natalie Portman, David Strathairn, Rachel Weisz and Jude Law. However, roadies will find the film by Chinese director Wong Kar Wai notable because of this report from Jazz … Continue reading Norah Jones film reportedly filmed on Route 66
Catching the VW bug
It's a complicated story -- which the Orange County Register can tell more completely -- but it's about Dave Torstenson's fascination with vintage Volkwagen minibuses, the generous VW community, and an improbable quest to drive a ramshackle 1972 minibus from Tulsa to Los Angeles while being filmed by a documentary crew. Route 66 connections? There … Continue reading Catching the VW bug
Tractor tippin’ or Combine Ranch?
It appears to be a mix of both, actually. Richard Etchells recently posted these photos on the Route 66 yahoogroup of what appear to be harvesters planted into the ground at an angle. This is a few miles south of Route 66 near Amarillo, Texas. It appears to be a homage to the "tractor tippin'" … Continue reading Tractor tippin’ or Combine Ranch?
“Independent America” to air on Sundance Channel
The excellent 2006 documentary about indie businesses struggling to survive, "Independent America," will have its television debut on July 4 on the Sundance Channel, the filmmakers announced. There's no time yet announced for the broadcast; check your listings closer to the Fourth of July holiday. We reviewed "Independent America" and highly recommend it. Route 66, … Continue reading “Independent America” to air on Sundance Channel
Dang it, we don’t want to be bypassed again
KOTV in Tulsa uncovered an interesting story about the Route 66 town of Catoosa, Okla., and the state highway department's plan to close an access ramp from an adjacent highway. The state wishes to close a ramp from westbound U.S. 412 onto northbound Oklahoma 66, aka old Route 66. The state says the ramp's design … Continue reading Dang it, we don’t want to be bypassed again
More toys coming from “Cars”
We knew this was going to happen, but sharp-eyed reader Jennifer pointed out in this comment that a slew of new die-cast toys from last summer's Disney-Pixar hit, "Cars," is coming out soon. RPMdiecast.com is taking pre-orders for these "Cars" characters, a few of which are shipping in June or July; others have no release … Continue reading More toys coming from “Cars”