A documentary film about the Coliseum Ballroom in Benld, Illinois, will be previewed at a Feb. 20 tribute show for the former Route 66 landmark. According to the State Journal-Register in Springfield, Illinois: "Memories of the Coliseum Ballroom," which will be held at the Gillespie Civic Center, will feature music by former members of Frankie … Continue reading Coliseum Ballroom film will previewed at tribute show
Category: Movies
Coleman Theatre marks 20 years of organ’s homecoming
The Coleman Theatre in Miami, Oklahoma, is marking the 20th anniversary of the homecoming of itsMighty Wurlitzer pipe organ. The organ was built in 1928 and installed at the theater before its opening a year later, reported the Joplin Globe. One of the heroes in the Mighty Wurlitzer's rebirth two decades ago was a Texan … Continue reading Coleman Theatre marks 20 years of organ’s homecoming
Melba Rigg retires from Cars on the Route
Melba Rigg, one of the original four women of the 4 Women on the Route station in Galena, Kansas, before its name changed to Cars on the Route, announced her retirement over the weekend. Rigg wrote on a Facebook post: https://www.facebook.com/melba.rigg/posts/944043785674648 This video by KC Keefer on his Genuine Route 66 Life video series interviewed Rigg couple … Continue reading Melba Rigg retires from Cars on the Route
A profile of Bagdad Cafe’s owner
A lot of people -- especially Europeans -- know about the Bagdad Cafe in Newberry Springs, California, and its draw as the setting for the 1987 film "Bagdad Cafe." But not many know about Andree Pruett, owner of the Route 66 restaurant for about 20 years. The Victorville Daily Press published a profile of Pruett. … Continue reading A profile of Bagdad Cafe’s owner
Aerial views of New Mexico
Flightgeist, a company out of New York that specializes in aerial photography by drone, recently posted this breathtaking and well-edited video from various spots around New Mexico, including Route 66. Roadtrip New Mexico from FLIGHTGEIST on Vimeo. From the description of the film: A car, a map, a drone, and a one week adventure through … Continue reading Aerial views of New Mexico
“Boomtown” film now available in DVD, streaming
The "Boomtown" film, a 41-minute documentary about the history of Tulsa that screened in theaters this summer, now is available on DVD, streaming and download. The film documents Tulsa's history, including its rise as an oil town and its key role in Route 66, with interview footage of "Route 66: The Mother Road" author and … Continue reading “Boomtown” film now available in DVD, streaming
Desert Motors in Victorville changes owners
The Desert Motors car dealership in Victorville, California, best known for its vintage neon sign along Route 66, recently changed owners for the first time in more than 60 years, according to the Victorville Daily Press. Not to worry, though. The newspaper said the new owner, Sam Shihab, will continue to keep up the sign after … Continue reading Desert Motors in Victorville changes owners
China, Hollywood studios to produce “US 66” film
China-based Road Pictures and the U.S.-based Kingsgate Films are partnering on an action-comedy film titled "US 66," reported Variety magazine in an exclusive. The action comedy will be written by the Oscar-winning Roger Avary, and casting of a Chinese-American actor is proceeding. “The concept behind ‘US 66’ was to have Chinese and American protagonists who … Continue reading China, Hollywood studios to produce “US 66” film
DVD review: “Exit Zero”
The new 26-minute film "Exit Zero" doesn't so much explore the history of the Route 66 ghost town that straddles the Texas-New Mexico border as give an atmospheric look of what's there now and glimpses of what was there before. Here's the trailer for the film: https://youtu.be/0ClyUztE_FM Like Unoccupied Route 66's previous film about the deserted Painted Desert … Continue reading DVD review: “Exit Zero”
Larry the Cable Guy meets Tow Tater
Comedian Larry the Cable Guy voiced the hillbilly tow-truck character of Tow Mater in the 2006 Disney-Pixar animated film "Cars" and the sequel "Cars 2." The first film's portrayal of the fictional Route 66 town of Radiator Springs brought the Mother Road's story to a new generation of travelers. The inspiration to Tow Mater was … Continue reading Larry the Cable Guy meets Tow Tater