John Paget, director of the award-winning "Route 66: An American Odyssey" film 30 years ago, starts production today in Oklahoma on a new documentary, "Route 66: The Main Street of America." The film will be released during Route 66's centennial in 2026. The documentary recently won designation as an Official U.S. Route 66 Centennial Project. … Continue reading Production begins today on “Route 66: The Main Street of America” documentary
Tag: Route 66: The Mother Road
Michael Wallis talks about Route 66, “Cars” film and writing career in a recent TV interview
Bestselling author Michael Wallis recently sat down with a Tulsa TV station to talk about his long writing career, the "Cars" movie and his personal and professional connection to Route 66. Wallis, 77, was plugging an appearance at the recently completed Route 66 Road Fest in Tulsa. A lot of young people remember his small … Continue reading Michael Wallis talks about Route 66, “Cars” film and writing career in a recent TV interview
“Route 66: The Mother Road” film from 1994 uploaded to the Internet Archive
The 88-minute film "Route 66: The Mother Road" which starred bestselling author Michael Wallis and his wife Suzanne in 1994, recently was uploaded to the Internet Archive for everyone to enjoy. The out-of-print film often also was titled "A Journey Down Route 66." A few copies on VHS or even DVD could be found on … Continue reading “Route 66: The Mother Road” film from 1994 uploaded to the Internet Archive
Fabled elm trees west of Clinton may not be around much longer
Elm trees west of Clinton, Oklahoma, documented in Michael Wallis' seminal 1990 book "Route 66: The Mother Road" have died at an alarming rate in recent years and may not be long for this world. A longtime reader with a keen eye alerted me to this a few days ago and shot a short video … Continue reading Fabled elm trees west of Clinton may not be around much longer
Michael Wallis’ “The Coming of Roads” speech
A few days ago, someone at the National Center for Preservation Technology and Training uploaded a video and transcript of Michael Wallis' keynote speech during the "Are We There Yet: Preservation of Roadside Architecture and Attractions" symposium in April in Tulsa. Wallis speech, "The Coming of Roads," contains several familiar themes from those who have … Continue reading Michael Wallis’ “The Coming of Roads” speech
Michael and Suzanne Wallis honored by Tulsa Global Alliance
The Tulsa Global Alliance last week honored residents Michael and Suzanne Wallis for their decades of work promoting and contributing to the preservation of Route 66. The alliance's Global Vision Awards event's theme was "Route 66: Where the World Meets America." The Wallises were lauded for their 'outstanding contribution to Citizen Diplomacy." The author of 18 … Continue reading Michael and Suzanne Wallis honored by Tulsa Global Alliance
Michael Wallis to give “state of the road” speech at Vinita festival
Michael Wallis, writer of the best-selling "Route 66: The Mother Road" and more than a dozen other books, will give a "State of the Mother Road" speech June 18 during the Vinita Route 66 Festival in Vinita, Oklahoma. Wallis long was known for his fiery "state of the road" speeches with his big, baritone voice during … Continue reading Michael Wallis to give “state of the road” speech at Vinita festival