In recent weeks, it's come to our attention that a few online companies have been offering all four seasons of the original "Route 66" television series on DVD. Those are unofficial releases, because Roxbury Entertainment owns the rights to "Route 66" and is releasing the first half-season on a four-DVD set in a matter of … Continue reading Accept no substitutes
Category: Television
A chat with George Maharis
Early in a phone interview with "Route 66" television series co-star George Maharis, I acknowledged to him that I had never seen episodes of the early 1960s drama until I received an advance copy of the upcoming re-release on DVD. Maharis made a startling admission: Neither had he. "It was the first time I'd seen … Continue reading A chat with George Maharis
One from the archives
This is a news-station story from 2004 about Irv's Burgers on Santa Monica Boulevard (aka Route 66) in West Hollywood, Calif. At the time, Irv's was endangered by development. But customers and preservationists banded together to give it historic landmark status and protection. Irv's Burgers has its own Web site here.
The Green Parrot Tavern comes down
The historic Green Parrot tavern, on old Route 66 in Galena, Kan., was torn down after collapsing underground mines severely compromised the integrity of the structure. KSN/KODE in nearby Joplin, Mo., has a report, including video of the demolition. The good news is that cleanup crews are sorting through the wreckage by hand and seek … Continue reading The Green Parrot Tavern comes down
Aussie reporter checks out Oklahoma’s 66
Washington correspondent Michael Rowland of the Australian Broadcasting Corp. took time off from the Beltway and checked out old Route 66 and some Harley riders on it in northeastern Oklahoma. You can view the eight-minute video here in both Windows Media Player and RealPlayer in both broadband and dialup speeds. It's a well-done, well-edited segment. … Continue reading Aussie reporter checks out Oklahoma’s 66
An evening at Boot Hill Saloon and Grill
The exterior of the Boot Hill Saloon & Grill, at the intersection of U.S. 385 and old Route 66 in Vega, Texas, looks like something from the 1880s Old West. But don't expect it to be a rough-and-tumble joint where fistfights between cowboys outnumber the bottles of red-eye whiskey. Sure, Boot Hill contains a lounge … Continue reading An evening at Boot Hill Saloon and Grill
“Route 66” — a mini preview
I don't yet have the first DVD box set of the first half-season of the "Route 66" television show. It's not going to be released until late October, and review copies haven't yet been mailed. However, the folks at Roxbury Entertainment sent a promotional DVD of one episode from 1960 -- "The Swan Bed," shot … Continue reading “Route 66” — a mini preview
George Maharis, singer?
Apparently so. Check out these videos of an old jukebox playing one of his old 45s. According to AllMusic.com, the "Route 66" television star released two albums in 1962. The Collectibles label combined the two into one compact disc in 2000. And, yes, Bobby Troup's "Route 66" is one of the songs that Maharis recorded.
What’s cooking at Boot Hill?
Here in Oklahoma, I haven't been able to go to Vega, Texas, and check out Rory Schepisi's recently opened Boot Hill Saloon & Grill on Route 66. However, the Amarillo Globe-News visited, and published a story about it Tuesday (free registration required). Some tidbits from the well-rounded article: Schepisi is considering opening another restaurant, in … Continue reading What’s cooking at Boot Hill?
Wallis and Colbert
Author Michael Wallis was on the Comedy Central's "The Colbert Report" last week to plug his new book, "The Lincoln Highway." Here is the video clip of the interview: Wallis also is well-known for the best-selling "Route 66: The Mother Road" and mentions ol' 66 during the bantering. UPDATE 8/23/07: YouTube removed the video because … Continue reading Wallis and Colbert