Lights, camera, action! What a great conversation with Bobby Hockaday, vice president on the board of directors for the Tucumcari/Quay County Chamber of Commerce and the Executive director of Film Tucumcari! It was a free range conversation about the Clint Eastwood-Tucumcari connection, the upcoming Tucumcari Film Festival, Tucumcari as a filming location, relocation, Route 66 and the Route 66 centennial, and AI in film production on this episode of Coffee With Jim, the Jim Hinckley’s America podcast. And this was just in the first half hour!

Coffee With Jim

Sharing America’s story. Inspiring road trips by telling people where to go. It’s what we do at Jim HInckley’s America.

We do this with books and feature articles, presentations and blog posts. And we also offer our services to companies as a tour development consultant. On occassion we also lend support to communities in search of creative ways to harness tourism, and the international obsession with Route 66 as a catalyst for economic development.

Coffee With Jim is another component. The podcast is an opportunity to share America’s story through conversations with fascinating and inspirational people. The program of April 14 and the discussion with Bobby Hockadaywas an excellent example.

Lights, Action, Camera

There are several ways that small rural communities can tap into motion pictures and Hollywood history. Fim Tucumcari is one example. The upcoming film festival in Tucumcari is another one.

Kingman, Arizona, a town with an astonishing film and celebrity association, is awakening to the possibilities. The narrated, self guided historic district walking tour developed by Kingman Main Street includes film and celebrity associated sites as points of interest.

The earliest major motion picture filmed in the area that I am aware of is Ace of the Saddle. This was filmed in about 1918 at Tap Duncan’s ranch near Hackberry east of Kingman. It starred Harry Carey.

Clark Gable and Carol Lombard married in Kingman. Route 66 in the city is signed as Andy Devine Avenue. Buster Keaton stayed at the Hotel Beale while filming Go West in 1925. At least six major motion pictures were filmed entirely in the Kingman area, or had major scenes shot in the area.

Location, Location, Location

Location, location, location is key to a succesful business or selling real estate. And it is a hot commodity for communities lookiinig to sell themselves as a filming location. Tucucmari has it, and so does Kingman.

Fans of our Decade With Jim series on Instagram and the Jim Hinckley’s America Facebook page comment on the morning walkabout photos. Many of these are taken within a few miles of downtown Kingman, and Route 66. Most are easy to access.

A film company would be hard pressed to find more spectacular locations. So, perhaps, in the near future Kingman will follow the lead of Tucumcari. Soon, perhaps, the words lights, action, camera will be heard echoing in the picturesque canyons near town.