Although there are few specifics about the shooting locations, early reviews confirm that Route 66 plays a fairly prominent role in the new film by Chinese director Wong Kar Wai, “My Blueberry Nights,” which premieres at the Cannes Film Festival next week.

Emmanuel Levy is the first to submit a review to Rotten Tomatoes, and has this to say:

Shot across the United States in New York, Memphis, Nevada and along the legendary Route 66, the film is an intimate tale of love and self-discovery that features Wong’s trademark visual flair and colourful characters.

Also, Rope of Silicon reports:

Norah Jones plays a sensual, alluring young woman who sets out on an unforgettable journey of discovery in pursuit of true love. In heartbreakingly beautiful locations and classic Route 66 atmospheric diners, Wong Kar Wai’s captivating heroine encounters a series of enigmatic characters that help her on her quest.

Set against New York’s magical cityscape and the stunning vistas of America’s legendary Route 66, the celebrated director’s first English language picture embraces his signature elegance and originality that made “Happy Together,” “In the Mood for Love” and “2046″ must-see movies all around the world.

It sounds promising.

UPDATE 5/18/07: The Tomatometer for the film stands at a very solid 80 percent, albeit with a small sampling of critics. Expect the number of reviews to go up after the premiere at Cannes on Wednesday.

The international trailer can be seen here via Access Hollywood.

A bunch of still photos from the film are here, via Rope of Silocon.

In December, we were the first to report that the Launching Pad Drive-In on Route 66 in Wilmington, Ill., was for sale. This restaurant is a Mother Road icon because of a 28-foot-tall fiberglass statue Gemini Giant, the only one of its kind.

Today, the Naperville Sun reports that Morey Szczecin of Channahon is the restaurant’s new owner. He took over last week.

Szczecin’s family owns and operates Janson’s Drive-In, located in the Beverly neighborhood on the southwest side of Chicago.

“Both restaurants are similar in nature and are family-owned and oriented,” Szczecin said.

To the relief of roadies, don’t expect any changes.

Szczecin is pleased to own such a unique part of history and looks forward to talking more with the locals as well as the travelers stopping by. He is hoping his two sons, David and Brian Szczecin, will join him.

“I am not changing anything,” Szczecin said. “I am keeping the employees, keeping the food the same and even keeping the vendors. I am also keeping all the Route 66 decorations. I am looking forward to seeing and meeting with the tour groups.”

Based on the rave reviews I’ve read online about Szczecin’s other restaurant, it sounds like the Launching Pad is in very good hands.

Meanwhile, the previous owners, Jerry and Sharon Gatties, are planning to travel during their retirement after 20 years with the restaurant.

The couple plans to finish up some projects around the house before doing some traveling, perhaps along Route 66.

“We would work day and night seven days a week,” Sharon Gatties said. “Traveling for too long was always out of the question because something could go wrong like the ice cream machine is broke or somebody didn’t show up for work.”

I found this news item tonight from the Inland Press-Enterprise about the San Bernardino County Fair, which is right off Route 66 in Victorville, Calif.

But the article goes awry here:

Serafini boasts that it is the last remaining county fair on the historic transcontinental highway [my emphasis]. Its closest contender is a fair in Arizona that sits six miles from the highway, said Ken Alstott, CEO and manager of the San Bernardino County Fair for its sponsoring 28th District Agricultural Association.

Now, that’s just plain wrong.

First, you have the Creek County Fair in Oklahoma, which is prominently on 66 near Kellyville.  The Canadian County Fair in El Reno, Okla., is just off Route 66, too. So is the Craig County Fair in Vinita, Okla. And I’m fairly certain the Beckham County Free Fair in Sayre, Okla., is close, too.

And those are the ones in Oklahoma that I know about.

How many more county fairs are out there near the Mother Road?