Route 66 (1960–1964)

Only fiction series written & shot all over North America. Two young adventurers in a Corvette explore early 60's social problems and changing mores, looking for the right place to settle ... See full summary »

Creators:

Herbert B. Leonard, Stirling Silliphant

Stars:

Martin Milner, George Maharis, Glenn Corbett

Nominated for 2 Primetime Emmys. Another 1 win & 1 nomination.

Cast

Complete series cast summary:
Martin Milner	...	Tod Stiles (116 episodes, 1960-1964)
George Maharis	...	Buz Murdock (82 episodes, 1960-1963)
Glenn Corbett	...	Lincoln Case (32 episodes, 1963-1964)

Storyline

Only fiction series written & shot all over North America. Two young adventurers in a Corvette explore early 60's social problems and changing mores, looking for the right place to settle down while seeking themselves. Debuting 3 years after "On the Road" transformed modern literature, while such newly available fast cars dominated the new teenage culture, Tod, an Ivy Leaguer, and Buz, an orphan from Hell's Kitchen, cruise the U.S.A. coping with shifting relationships and lifestyles. The FCC's Newton Minow characterized U.S. TV as a "vast wasteland," in 1961, but "Route 66" found important, compelling stories all over. Sterling Silliphant who won an Oscar for writing "In the Heat of the Night," traveled around the U.S. and Canada scouting locales, while writing ¾ of the very dark, literate show's episodes - a feat only Rod Serling matched with The Twilight Zone. Soon, a crew of 50 arrived at the location. Shows were filmed in 40 States. Tod, from a once-wealthy family, inherited only ...

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Plot Keywords:

route 66 | corvette | highway | traveling | number in title

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Genres:

Adventure

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

7 October 1960 (USA)

Also Known As:

Ruta 66

Filming Locations:

Corriganville, Ray Corrigan Ranch, Simi Valley, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Lancer-Edling Productions, Screen Gems Television

Technical Specs

Runtime:

60 min 60 min (116 episodes)

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

4:3

Did You Know?

Trivia

George Maharis walked off the show during the fourth season during a bout with hepatitis, although it has been alleged that he was dissatisfied with his contract and wanted to work in film, and that he had ongoing clashes with the show's producers. He was replaced by Glenn Corbett, but audiences did not like the change and the show was canceled as a result.

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Connections

Spoofed in SCTV: Galaxy 66 (1977)

User Reviews

Julie Newmar is the woman Marilyn Monroe wanted to be.

This was one of those special "shocker" moments in 60's TV series: writing that showed actual thought, lines that snapped your head back, diction at once poetic and didactic.... it is possible that no one else in TV at that time could have done what Julie Newmar did here; she was luscious and sensual, at perfect ease within the screen space, and at the same time possessed of a powerful intelligence and wit. PLUS, is "How Much a Pound is Albatross?" one of the greatest titles you ever heard?