Friends Friday Films: The Automat, with Reel Talk speaker Lisa Hurwitz

This delightful documentary covers the fascinating story of the Horn & Hardart automat, an eating establishment woven into the history of New York City and Philadelphia as a place where generations of Americans from diverse backgrounds enjoyed food, coffee, and conversation together. In this heartfelt look at history, Mel Brooks and Carl Reiner are among the devoted customers sharing cherished reminiscences alongside insights from historians and descendants of those who created and sustained the iconic restaurant chain. 1h20m. Rated PG. Check out the trailer here!

Reel Talk: After the film, stay with us for a Q&A with the film’s director, Lisa Hurwitz. She was nominated as Best First Feature Director at the Critics Choice Documentary Awards for The Automat and also served as the film’s producer and archival researcher.

To get early access to the Library's Friday Films events, sign up here for the Friday Films email newsletters.