Dave Hoekstra has scheduled more screenings of his "The Center of Nowhere" documentary about the rich musical history of Springfield, Missouri, as he seeks to find digital distribution for his film. Hoekstra, a former Chicago Sun-Times columnist and longtime Route 66 enthusiast, has been working on the film for seven years. According to a feature … Continue reading More screenings scheduled for “The Center of Nowhere” documentary
Category: Movies
“Almost Ghosts” documentary to screen this fall in historic theaters along Route 66
Image of Angel Delgadillo from the "Almost Ghosts" film. "Almost Ghosts," a Spaniard-directed film that won the Best Documentary award during the Arizona International Film Festival earlier this year, will be screened this fall in several historic theaters along Route 66. The film's makers interviewed Angel Delgadillo of Seligman, Arizona; Harley Russell of Erick, Oklahoma; … Continue reading “Almost Ghosts” documentary to screen this fall in historic theaters along Route 66
Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program announces final cost-share grants
The Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program this week announced what will be its final cost-share grants, barring a very unlikely renewal of the program by Congress. Since 2001, the program awarded $2.27 million with $3.57 million in cost-share matches to 152 projects, totaling $5.84 million in public-private investment toward the revitalization and commemoration of Route … Continue reading Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program announces final cost-share grants
“The Outsiders” House Museum in Tulsa will host ribbon-cutting Aug. 9
A once-forlorn house in Tulsa that served as a key setting in the movie adaptation of S.E. Hinton's novel "The Outsiders" will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony and film-location tours Aug. 9. The Facebook page for The Outsiders House announced Wednesday: Join us as we celebrate the long-awaited opening of The Outsiders House Museum. Be there … Continue reading “The Outsiders” House Museum in Tulsa will host ribbon-cutting Aug. 9
Formosa Cafe officially reopens June 28 after two years of renovations
The historic and celebrity-laden Formosa Cafe in West Hollywood, California, officially will reopen June 28 after two years and $2.4 million worth of renovations. The Hollywood Reporter reports the revamp will "make it look almost exactly the same" from before its closing. More from the exclusive report, which included a sneak peek of the interior: … Continue reading Formosa Cafe officially reopens June 28 after two years of renovations
A closer look at the Route 66 research that went into the “Cars” film
If you have about a half-hour to spare, I urge you to watch this entertaining featurette about Pixar's research of Route 66 before the animation studio released the "Cars" movie in 2006. "Cars" director John Lasseter explains what happened during that road trip, and "Route 66: The Mother Road" author Michael Wallis -- later to … Continue reading A closer look at the Route 66 research that went into the “Cars” film
Big jackrabbit restored at Jack Rabbit Trading Post
The big jackrabbit at the Jack Rabbit Trading Post near Joseph City, Arizona, recently was reinstalled after about a one-week restoration effort. Here's a "before" photo of the fiberglass giant: And here's an "after" image of the giant animal: Co-owner Cindy Jaquez said the 34-year-old jackrabbit needed a new coat of paint and badly needed … Continue reading Big jackrabbit restored at Jack Rabbit Trading Post
Report: $10M needed to stabilize portions of old Joliet prison
The historic Joliet Correctional Center in Joliet, Illinois, will need at least $10 million worth of repairs in the next five years to stabilize six key structures within the long-closed complex. The Klein & Hoffman architectural and structural engineering firm gave the estimates to shore up the prison's administration building, east and west cell blocks, … Continue reading Report: $10M needed to stabilize portions of old Joliet prison
Roy Rogers’ ranch in Victorville put up for sale
A ranch off Route 66 in Victorville, California, owned by western star Roy Rogers and his wife, Dale Evans, recently was put on the market for $3.7 million. The Double R Bar Ranch property at 14433 Roy Rogers Ranch Road, first flagged in a story by the Los Angeles Times, is being brokered by Murray … Continue reading Roy Rogers’ ranch in Victorville put up for sale
Coleman Theatre in Miami to mark 90th birthday on Thursday
The Coleman Theatre in Miami, Oklahoma, will mark its 90th anniversary Thursday with a screening of "The Wizard of Oz" and other festivities that night. The theater asked the public on Facebook which film it would most like to see, and "Gone With the Wind" was the winner. However, management nixed it because of its … Continue reading Coleman Theatre in Miami to mark 90th birthday on Thursday