Filmmaker to Debut Route 66 Documentary in California
The film explores businesses along the historic highway as it nears its 100th anniversary.
Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Documentary
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Filmmaker John Paget will premiere his new documentary, Route 66: The Main Street of America, at the California Theater in San Bernardino on October 23, 2026. The documentary examines how small towns along the route fared after interstate highway development.
Why it matters
The film is designed to inspire Americans to discover or rediscover the unique local businesses that currently operate along Route 66. It highlights the efforts of those working to preserve the highway's legacy as the route approaches its centennial.
Paget produced his initial 1994 documentary by mounting a camera on the hood of a 1969 Cadillac convertible. The project highlights specific local milestones, such as a sake producer based in Holbrook, Arizona, a town with a population of 5,000.
The players
John Paget
He is an independent filmmaker who travels to theaters to screen his work and host audience question-and-answer sessions.
Adam Hall
He is the third-generation owner of Sid's Diner, a business featured in the documentary.
The details
The documentary features various stories of revitalization, including the restoration of a Black-owned gas station in Luther, Oklahoma, and the Blue Swallow Motel in Tucumcari, New Mexico. The film also covers the cultural history of the region, such as the origins of the fried onion burger in El Reno, Oklahoma.
Timeline
October 23, 2026: Premiere screening at the California Theater in San Bernardino.
October 25, 2026: Screening at the Grand Ritz Theater in Escondido.
November 2, 2026: Screening at the Lido Theater in Newport Beach.
November 7, 2026: Screening at the Los Angeles Theater in Los Angeles.
Industry Dynamics
Documentaries focusing on Americana and historic travel routes often see surges in production and interest coinciding with major centennial celebrations. This project follows that pattern by leveraging the 100th anniversary of Route 66 to drive audience engagement with regional history.
Viewers can attend these screenings at historic California venues, where filmmaker John Paget will be present to host live question-and-answer sessions. Attendees will have the opportunity to engage directly with the filmmaker to discuss the history and preservation efforts captured in the film.
The takeaway
The documentary encourages viewers to support small businesses that keep regional history alive across the country. By visiting these historic sites, travelers help maintain the economic viability of towns that were once bypassed by modern interstate development.
Further reading
Discover more about non-fiction storytelling in our Documentary section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Pasadena Star News.
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