Saturday, November 7, 2026 at 3:30 PM
Vidiots, Los Angeles
**Screenwriter**: Nunnally Johnson from the novel by John Steinbeck **Producer**: Darryl F Zanuck **Vidiots** and the **Eagle Rock Valley Historical Society** are celebrating **100 Years of Route 66** with a special screening of John Ford’s classic Steinbeck adaptation *The Grapes of Wrath*. We follow the Joad family, led by eldest son, Tom Joad (played by Henry Fonda) and matriarch, Ma Joad (played by Jane Darwell, who won an Academy Award for her performance) as they make the arduous journey from Oklahoma to California, seeking greater opportunities during the Great Depression. Along the way, they face discrimination, police brutality, and the trickle-down effects of corporate greed, ultimately leading Ma and Tom towards a new understanding of the American dream and workers’ rights. This anticapitalist masterpiece is one of the most celebrated literary adaptations of the 20th century – don’t miss it! The [**Eagle Rock Valley Historical Society**](http://www.eaglerockhistory.org) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving, researching, and sharing the history of the Eagle Rock Valley and its local landmarks. Established in 1961, the society protects a rich archive of historical images, regional stories, and old local newspapers to ensure the area’s heritage remains accessible to researchers, students, and residents. **Historic Route 66** is more than just a paved highway—it represents a vital part of the American experience through its association with migration, commerce, and recreation. As one of the original highways in the United States Numbered Highway System, it was officially established on November 11, 1926. The highway, which became one of the most iconic roadways in the country, stretches from Chicago, Illinois, to Santa Monica, California, covering a total of 2,448 miles. Route 66 served as a critical path for many migrating West, especially during the Dust Bowl of the 1930s. It supported the local economies of the communities it passed through, and in the 1950s, became a popular route for vacationers heading to the West Coast. It was also a major artery for transcontinental commerce. As businesses along the route flourished, communities rallied to preserve its legacy when it began to be bypassed by the growing Interstate Highway System in the 1960s and 1970s. Eagle Rock’s celebration of Route 66 begins on October 19, 2026, with on Presentation by the Historical Society on Route 66 in Eagle Rock. The celebration continues on the second weekend of November 2026, with a community festival hosted by the Eagle Rock Chamber of Commerce featuring live music, food, a vintage car show, and a film festival presented by Vidiots Foundation.