Photos by residents of Kinsman, Ohio (Amity)

Coming soon on Ohio66:
“Starring George Maharis” - by Rick Dailey

Ohio66 presents an in-depth look at the circumstances surrounding the departure of George Maharis from route 66 in the middle of the third season.

preview Starring George Maharis

<p>Susan Oliver and Al Mathews.  This photograph was provided by Kinsman native Doug Mathews and shows his grandfather, Al Mathews, with <i>Welcome To Amity</i> co-star Susan Oliver in the driveway of the funeral home during a break in shooting.  The photo was shot by Doug's parents.</p>
<p>Susan Oliver and Al Mathews. This photograph was provided by Kinsman native Doug Mathews and shows his grandfather, Al Mathews, with <i>Welcome To Amity</i> co-star Susan Oliver in the driveway of the funeral home during a break in shooting. The photo was shot by Doug's parents.</p>

<p>Driveway of Clarence Darrow House - Martin Milner lights up a cigar in the driveway of the Clarence Darrow House.  As with another photo below, I believe that the short, dark-haired man facing left is director Arthur Hiller (can anyone confirm?). Again, this photo was provided by Doug Mathews and was shot by his parents.</p>
<p>Driveway of Clarence Darrow House - Martin Milner lights up a cigar in the driveway of the Clarence Darrow House. As with another photo below, I believe that the short, dark-haired man facing left is director Arthur Hiller (can anyone confirm?). Again, this photo was provided by Doug Mathews and was shot by his parents.</p>

<p>A shot up the alley way that is located next to the "Amity Cemetery Ass'n" building on town square.  I would guess that the cylindrical object in the center is a coffee urn and that the people in the shot are crew lining up for chow.  Notice the electrical cables running up the alley to the square.</p>
<p>A shot up the alley way that is located next to the "Amity Cemetery Ass'n" building on town square. I would guess that the cylindrical object in the center is a coffee urn and that the people in the shot are crew lining up for chow. Notice the electrical cables running up the alley to the square.</p>

<p>Why was the town of Kinsman called Amity in the Route 66 episode?  One of the experts on the Yahoo board suggested that the script, written by Will Lorin, already existed and that Kinsman, Ohio just happened to be a good place to shoot.  I now believe that to be exactly the case.</p><p>The residents told me that the First National Bank building that was used as the "Amity Cemetery Ass'n" had recently been vacated by the bank when it moved to a newly constructed building just around the square.  I was told that the producers of the show decided it was a perfect fit for their needs because of the fact that it was not occupied and that all of the bank's furniture was still intact.</p><p>They said that the "Amity" sign (Amity having nothing whatsoever to do with Kinsman) in the window was painted on by the crew and actually remained until well into the 1970s when the drug store occupied the space.</p>
<p>Why was the town of Kinsman called Amity in the Route 66 episode? One of the experts on the Yahoo board suggested that the script, written by Will Lorin, already existed and that Kinsman, Ohio just happened to be a good place to shoot. I now believe that to be exactly the case.</p><p>The residents told me that the First National Bank building that was used as the "Amity Cemetery Ass'n" had recently been vacated by the bank when it moved to a newly constructed building just around the square. I was told that the producers of the show decided it was a perfect fit for their needs because of the fact that it was not occupied and that all of the bank's furniture was still intact.</p><p>They said that the "Amity" sign (Amity having nothing whatsoever to do with Kinsman) in the window was painted on by the crew and actually remained until well into the 1970s when the drug store occupied the space.</p>

<p>Obviously a truck used to haul all of the television production equipment.  This photo shows the truck parked in an alley behind the town square.  I cannot make out all of the wording on the truck's sign, posted just above the cab, but it appears to say "Watch it on TV, Route 66" followed at the bottom by "Starring Martin Milner and George Maharis."</p>
<p>Obviously a truck used to haul all of the television production equipment. This photo shows the truck parked in an alley behind the town square. I cannot make out all of the wording on the truck's sign, posted just above the cab, but it appears to say "Watch it on TV, Route 66" followed at the bottom by "Starring Martin Milner and George Maharis."</p>

<p>Another shot of the bank.</p>
<p>Another shot of the bank.</p>

<p>A shot of the stars' dressing rooms.  I don't know exactly where this truck was parked but I hope to find out later.  Notice the 'vette parked behind the truck.   I don't think that it was the one Tod and Buz were driving in the episode because it is duo-tone (has white on the doors) and that's not what is depicted in the show.</p><p>Another expert has suggested that it belonged to George Maharis (his was black and white dou-tone) and would have typically been driven by his brother who worked on the show as a location scout and occasional double for George.</p><p>There is another set of photos below of three of the show's stars by a different local photographer and I believe that they were taken as the stars were exiting these dressing rooms</p>
<p>A shot of the stars' dressing rooms. I don't know exactly where this truck was parked but I hope to find out later. Notice the 'vette parked behind the truck. I don't think that it was the one Tod and Buz were driving in the episode because it is duo-tone (has white on the doors) and that's not what is depicted in the show.</p><p>Another expert has suggested that it belonged to George Maharis (his was black and white dou-tone) and would have typically been driven by his brother who worked on the show as a location scout and occasional double for George.</p><p>There is another set of photos below of three of the show's stars by a different local photographer and I believe that they were taken as the stars were exiting these dressing rooms</p>

<p>The owner of the row of stores on town square watching behind the scenes action from the back door of the drug store.</p>
<p>The owner of the row of stores on town square watching behind the scenes action from the back door of the drug store.</p>

<p>This is a really amazing photo.  It was shot from inside the bank while scene direction appears to be taking place.  The three actors in the scene are there - Eddie Holmes (seated), along with DeAnn Mears and Susan Oliver.</p><p>The man in the center, pointing out the window appears to be giving directions. Can anyone identify him?
<p>This is a really amazing photo. It was shot from inside the bank while scene direction appears to be taking place. The three actors in the scene are there - Eddie Holmes (seated), along with DeAnn Mears and Susan Oliver.</p><p>The man in the center, pointing out the window appears to be giving directions. Can anyone identify him?

<p>Another shot from inside the bank.  Since I had to take photographs of the photographs, occasionally you will see a bit of flash glare. The glare in these bank shots is not from my camera but appear to be lights set up by the crew.  Also notice the microphone hanging overhead.</p>
<p>Another shot from inside the bank. Since I had to take photographs of the photographs, occasionally you will see a bit of flash glare. The glare in these bank shots is not from my camera but appear to be lights set up by the crew. Also notice the microphone hanging overhead.</p>

<p>One more inside the bank.  I believe that the man (second from right) that Susan Oliver is talking to is director Arthur Hiller.  Anyone care to second that opinion?</p>
<p>One more inside the bank. I believe that the man (second from right) that Susan Oliver is talking to is director Arthur Hiller. Anyone care to second that opinion?</p>

<p>I am not yet certain what was filmed at this location.  More to come...</p>
<p>I am not yet certain what was filmed at this location. More to come...</p>

Same as above
Same as above

<p>The source of most of the photographs on this page is the owner of a book and antiques store located on the square just on the other side of the alley from the bank.  He told me that he has very clear memories of watching the action, especially one particular shot of the 'vette.  The cameras were mounted in the trunk of a Corvair (rear-engine, trunk in front for those of you too young to remember) that followed the 'vette for rear shots.</p><p>That soda fountain in this shot is all vintage and in operation.  Those seats are red vinyl (although my photo makes them look brown) and the counter top is formica with those familiar green and lavender swirls that are so ubiquitous in designs of the era (wish I would have gotten a shot).</p><p>The album where these photos reside can be seen on the counter under the Coca Cola lamp.</p><p>By the way, if any of you happen to be driving on 80 or 76 in North East Ohio / North West Pennsylvania, shoot an e-mail my way (crefract at yahoo dot com) or call me (330 926 1522) and I'll meet you near Youngstown and give you a tour of the "Amity" sites.</p>
<p>The source of most of the photographs on this page is the owner of a book and antiques store located on the square just on the other side of the alley from the bank. He told me that he has very clear memories of watching the action, especially one particular shot of the 'vette. The cameras were mounted in the trunk of a Corvair (rear-engine, trunk in front for those of you too young to remember) that followed the 'vette for rear shots.</p><p>That soda fountain in this shot is all vintage and in operation. Those seats are red vinyl (although my photo makes them look brown) and the counter top is formica with those familiar green and lavender swirls that are so ubiquitous in designs of the era (wish I would have gotten a shot).</p><p>The album where these photos reside can be seen on the counter under the Coca Cola lamp.</p><p>By the way, if any of you happen to be driving on 80 or 76 in North East Ohio / North West Pennsylvania, shoot an e-mail my way (crefract at yahoo dot com) or call me (330 926 1522) and I'll meet you near Youngstown and give you a tour of the "Amity" sites.</p>

<p>I saw this bumper sticker in the store and imagined it was a souvenir of the filming, but he said that it was most likely part of an estate sale that accounts for most of the antiques and curios in the his shop.</p>
<p>I saw this bumper sticker in the store and imagined it was a souvenir of the filming, but he said that it was most likely part of an estate sale that accounts for most of the antiques and curios in the his shop.</p>

<p>Photos of the stars (exiting the dressing rooms shown above?).  Is that a cowboy hat George Maharis is wearing?</p>
<p>Photos of the stars (exiting the dressing rooms shown above?). Is that a cowboy hat George Maharis is wearing?</p>

<p>Autographs acquired by Pam who was "12 or younger" at the time.</p>
<p>Autographs acquired by Pam who was "12 or younger" at the time.</p>


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