A new drama on the Sci-Fi Channel that premieres tonight called "The Lost Room," which takes place in the fictitious Sunshine Motel in New Mexico along old Route 66. Here's a summary of the show, straight from its Web site: In the 1960s, there still were hundreds of motels with thousands of rooms along Route … Continue reading Sci-Fi Channel’s “The Lost Room” has Route 66 angle
Category: Television
Filmmaker Robert Altman dies
Robert Altman, 81, who died Monday, is best-known for directing "M*A*S*H," "Nashville," "The Player" and "Short Cuts." But he also learned the trade by directing a few episodes of the "Route 66" television show. Quite a few other young, talented people in Hollywood cut their teeth there as well. A complete obituary is here.
Mater’s inspiration on TV
Rod Harsh at Route 66 TV Online compiled these two televised news reports of the gala in Galena, Kan., that displayed the 1951 International boom truck that inspired the creation of Mater in the movie "Cars." The gas station also is going to be restored into become a gift shop and tourism center by the … Continue reading Mater’s inspiration on TV
A stroll across the Old Chain of Rocks Bridge
Here's a clip from an old St. Louis public access television show called "World Wide Magazine," in which Vince and Marty stoll across the Old Chain of Rocks Bridge that once carried Route 66 from Madison, Ill., to north St. Louis. Vince and Marty are a coupla goofs, but the footage from the bridge is … Continue reading A stroll across the Old Chain of Rocks Bridge
Reserve your spot at Missouri meeting
The next meeting of the Route 66 Association of Missouri will be Nov. 4 at Millie's Turn of the Century Cafe in 313 S. Jefferson, Springfield. Lunch is at noon, with the meeting following. A board meeting for all officers is at 10 a.m. For more information, read this flier here. Part of the program … Continue reading Reserve your spot at Missouri meeting
Producer of “Route 66” TV series dies
Herbert B. Leonard, a producer of television shows, including the acclaimed "Route 66," died at the age of 84 on Saturday. Here's an obituary from the Los Angeles Times. (No story from the Associated Press yet; the Times must have had a scoop.) The Times had this to say about Leonard and his "Route 66" … Continue reading Producer of “Route 66” TV series dies
“Popularity Contest” contestant is building a restaurant on Route 66
Last spring, you may have watched a reality show on CMT called "Popularity Contest." In it, 10 contestants from the big city were plopped down in the Route 66 town of Vega, Texas, to win over residents and vie for a $100,000 prize they would split with one Vega citizen. The Chicago baseball scout, Alex … Continue reading “Popularity Contest” contestant is building a restaurant on Route 66
Route 66 blog roundup 10/11
Jane Genova, Speechwriter-Ghostwriter, makes some observations about Oprah and Gayle's road trip, which included Route 66, and the movie "Thelma & Louise." She says Thelma and Louise, who were fictional movie characters, were a lot more compelling and human than the real-life Oprah and Gayle. The truth hurts. Ouch. Monica and Ben get up-close with … Continue reading Route 66 blog roundup 10/11
No room at the Wigwam
In Part 2 of Oprah Winfrey's "Oprah & Gayle's Big Adventure," the two had been booked for the Wigwam Motel in Holbrook, Ariz. Oprah was actually looking forward to having her own suite at the Wigwams. After spending hours in close quarters, Oprah and Gayle needed some time apart. "I want my own teepee," Gayle … Continue reading No room at the Wigwam
Show-Me Route 66
The Springfield (Mo.) News-Leader, in a preview to tonight's and Sunday's airing of a locally produced PBS program about Route 66 in Missouri, tells about the Mother Road's important history in Springfield. There's a lot of good information there.