Earl Watt, the publisher of the Southwest Daily Times in Liberal, Kan., thinks the movie "Cars" provides "a great lesson for young and old alike." U.S. 54 runs through Liberal, and improvements to the road are being built south of town, so there's not immediate danger. However, the possibility that a future bypass could make … Continue reading “Cars” may spark second thoughts about highway bypasses
2007 Route 66 Festival will be in Clinton, Okla.
The Clinton (Okla.) Chamber of Commerce announced this afternoon that Clinton will be the host for the annual Route 66 Festival in 2007. This year's festival is this month in Albuquerque; it changes locations each year along the road. The festival is slated for June 21-24, 2007, and it was chosen over several other Oklahoma … Continue reading 2007 Route 66 Festival will be in Clinton, Okla.
Ace Jackalope meets “Mater” inspiration
Ace Jackalope of The Lope blog went back to see "Cars" again at the 66 Drive-In in Carthage, Mo., and ran into Dean Walker of Kansas, who's one of the inspirations for Mater the tow truck. I previously didn't have a photo of Walker turning his feet backwards. Now I do, thanks to Ace.
Pixar’s Route 66 inspirations
Those who stick around to read the end credits to "Cars" will notice that Pixar included a thank-you list to people who inspired and gave them hospitality during their research trip down the Mother Road several years ago. I e-mailed Pixar for that list, as I thought it would be of considerable interest to the … Continue reading Pixar’s Route 66 inspirations
Were the opening-weekend grosses of “Cars” a disappointment?
Well, maybe ... if you had really high box-office expectations like Jim Hill Media and others did. "Cars" is the first Pixar film to not do better on its opening weekend than its last one. "The Incredibles" grossed $70.5 million its opening weekend, and its predecessor, "Finding Nemo," grossed $70.3 million. "Cars" grossed an estimated … Continue reading Were the opening-weekend grosses of “Cars” a disappointment?
Filmmaker says “Cars” may fuel a renaissance
A news release came out today of Jim Jenner of Paccom Films essentially hawking his Route 66 documentaries. But Jenner certainly has one thing right -- Pixar's "Cars" film "could be the biggest thing to hit the highway in many years." "It may be a cartoon, but Pixar has done a terrific job in helping … Continue reading Filmmaker says “Cars” may fuel a renaissance
Galaxies shine during Mother Road tour
The Kansas City chapter of the Ford Galaxie Club of America made a stop in Bloomington, Ill., on Sunday on their way west down Route 66 to California. Here's the story from the Bloomington Pantagraph. For more about the Galaxie club's tour, go to its Web site here.
Thunderbird Motel neon sign sells for $24,000
The Thunderbird Motel's neon sign, which once graced Route 66 in Miami, Okla., sold for $24,000 at the Dingman Ford estate auction in New Hampshire this past weekend, reports the Boston Globe.
“Cars” news roundup for June 11
The Enid (Okla.) News and Eagle interviewed Dawn Welch of the Rock Cafe in Stroud, Okla., and author Michael Wallis about their roles in "Cars" and Route 66. Incidentally, business at Welch's restaurant has reportedly gotten "crazy" since the film's opening, so go there during off-peak hours if you can. There's also a side story … Continue reading “Cars” news roundup for June 11
Bloggers chime in about “Cars”
Instead of just movie reviews about the film "Cars," I looked for bloggers who provided a different perspective about the film. Billy Belk of The Sacred in the Secular talks about the film (caution: it gives away the ending) and came away with this moral: Unlike the Nascar world for which it is based, Cars … Continue reading Bloggers chime in about “Cars”