Two “Women on the Mother Road” sessions slated for this month in Oklahoma

Two Route 66 towns in Oklahoma are hosting lectures and screenings from Katrina Parks' "The Women of the Mother Road" website and film documentary project this month. This first will be at 7 p.m. Sept. 18 at the Carriage House in the Overholser Mansion at 405 NW 15th St. in Oklahoma City (map here). The … Continue reading Two “Women on the Mother Road” sessions slated for this month in Oklahoma

“The Leisure Seeker” gets mediocre reviews at Venice film festival

Several film critics who saw the premiere of "The Leisure Seeker," starring Donald Sutherland and Helen Mirren, at the Venice Film Festival over the weekend gave it middling reviews, but it apparently will be sent to the bigger Toronto Film Festival and essentially has landed worldwide distribution rights in theaters. The bones of "The Leisure … Continue reading “The Leisure Seeker” gets mediocre reviews at Venice film festival

Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program announces 2017 cost-share grants

The Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program on Thursday announced its annual cost-share grant awards, with seven grants totaling $98,137. This year's grant awards are remarkable in their breadth, including neon-sign restorations, oral-history projects, a full assessment of Route 66's bridges, a historic-property database, an educational websites and a documentary film. Since 2001, the program has … Continue reading Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program announces 2017 cost-share grants

A film portrait of Harley Russell

I doubt you'll find a more candid or heartbreaking film about Harley Russell, one-half of the Mediocre Music Makers in Erick, Oklahoma, than this one. A description of the film: Despite living in the small town of Erick, Oklahoma and bordering on the edge of insanity, a self-proclaimed ‘mediocre music maker’ attracts visitors from around … Continue reading A film portrait of Harley Russell

Movie review: ‘Cars 3’

"Cars 3" not only becomes Pixar's animated tribute to stock-car racing, but it represents a return to the emotional core of the original 2006 film. Before describing the plot about humanized cars, Route 66 aficionados should know the fictional town of Radiator Springs makes several appearances in "Cars 3," along with the town's original characters … Continue reading Movie review: ‘Cars 3’

Route 66 fan producing documentary on music scene of Springfield, Missouri

Dave Hoekstra, a big Route 66 fan for much of his 30-year career at the Chicago Sun-Times, is producing a film series about unheralded rich music scenes in the United States, including Springfield, Missouri. Titled "Song of an Unsung America," the film series delves into Springfield's importance as the site of television's "Ozark Jubilee" and … Continue reading Route 66 fan producing documentary on music scene of Springfield, Missouri

Songs for “Cars 3” soundtrack announced

Disney-Pixar recently announced the songs and artists that will be on the eight-song "Cars 3" movie soundtrack. The songs include originals by Dan Auerbach of the Black Keys and blues rocker ZZ Ward, four covers of classic songs and two instrumentals by country-music star Brad Paisley. Here's the track listing: "Run That Race" by Dan Auerbach "Ride" … Continue reading Songs for “Cars 3” soundtrack announced

University gets grant for Women of Route 66 project

Missouri State University received a grant to help gather oral histories for "The Women on the Mother Road in Missouri” project. According to a news release from the university, the $2,500 grant will be used in conjunction with a similar project: Anne Baker, interim head of special collections and archives at MSU, will work with … Continue reading University gets grant for Women of Route 66 project

The first episode of “Jim Hinckley’s America — A Trek Along Route 66”

Promote Kingman recently released the first in what will be a series of videos called "Jim Hinckley’s America -- A Trek Along Route 66." The video by MyMarketing Designs was screened a few weeks ago in Kingman, Arizona, and it recently was embedded on the Promote Kingman webpage. It features local author and Route 66 advocate Jim Hinckley … Continue reading The first episode of “Jim Hinckley’s America — A Trek Along Route 66”

New “Cars 3” trailer released

Disney-Pixar late this morning released a new trailer for the upcoming animated film "Cars 3," which will be in theaters June 16. https://youtu.be/2LeOH9AGJQM Here's a description of the film: Blindsided by a new generation of blazing-fast racers, the legendary Lightning McQueen (voice of Owen Wilson) is suddenly pushed out of the sport he loves. To get … Continue reading New “Cars 3” trailer released