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IMDbPro

The Automat

  • 2021
  • TV-PG
  • 1h 19m
IMDb RATING
7.8/10
1.2K
YOUR RATING
The Automat (2021)
Centers on the vending machine popularized in the 20th century that offered fresh cooked meals in a commissary-style eatery.
Play trailer2:11
1 Video
5 Photos
DocumentaryHistory

Documentary centers on the vending machine popularized in the 20th century that offered fresh cooked meals in a commissary-style eatery.Documentary centers on the vending machine popularized in the 20th century that offered fresh cooked meals in a commissary-style eatery.Documentary centers on the vending machine popularized in the 20th century that offered fresh cooked meals in a commissary-style eatery.

  • Director
    • Lisa Hurwitz
  • Writer
    • Michael Levine
  • Stars
    • Mel Brooks
    • John W. Romas
    • Carl Reiner
  • See production, box office & company info
  • IMDb RATING
    7.8/10
    1.2K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Lisa Hurwitz
    • Writer
      • Michael Levine
    • Stars
      • Mel Brooks
      • John W. Romas
      • Carl Reiner
    • 21User reviews
    • 70Critic reviews
    • 75Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 10 wins & 9 nominations

    Videos1

    Official Trailer
    Trailer 2:11
    Watch Official Trailer

    Photos

    The Automat (2021)
    The Automat (2021)
    The Automat (2021)
    Mel Brooks in The Automat (2021)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Mel Brooks
    Mel Brooks
    • Self - Comedian
    John W. Romas
    • Self - VP of Engineering, H&H
    Carl Reiner
    Carl Reiner
    • Self - Comedian
    Krystyna Romas
    • Self
    Alec Shuldiner
    • Self - Automat Historian
    Wilson Goode
    Wilson Goode
    • Self - Philadelphia Mayor
    • (as W. Wilson Goode Sr.)
    Elliott Gould
    Elliott Gould
    • Self - Actor
    Howard Schultz
    Howard Schultz
    • Self - Executive Chairman, Starbucks
    Norris Horn
    • Self - Great Nephew of H&H Founder
    Steve Stollman
    • Self - Architectural Dealer
    Roy Rosenbaum
    • Self - Architect H&H
    Marianne Hardart
    Marianne Hardart
    • Self - Co-Author, 'The Automat'
    Lorraine Diehl
    • Self - Co-Author, 'The Automat'
    Lisa Keller
    • Self - New York City Historian
    Edwin K. Daly Jr.
    • Self - Son of President of H&H
    Bill Romas
    • Self - John's Son
    Ruth Bader Ginsburg
    Ruth Bader Ginsburg
    • Self - U.S. Supreme Court Justice
    Colin Powell
    Colin Powell
    • Self - U.S. Secretary of State
    • (as Gen. Colin L. Powell USA Ret)
    • Director
      • Lisa Hurwitz
    • Writer
      • Michael Levine
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      First-time filmmaker Lisa Hurwitz was able to secure the star power of comedy legend Mel Brooks through her acquaintance with Brooks's friend Carl Gottlieb. Hurwitz had assisted Gottlieb when he was a guest at her local theater in Olympia, Washington, and the two became Facebook friends. When Hurwitz launched a Kickstarter campaign to fund this documentary film about the Automat, the Facebook post showed up in Gottlieb's news feed and caught his attention. With Hurwitz's blessing, Gottlieb mentioned the project to Brooks in conversation over dinner, and Brooks had such nostalgic enthusiasm for the Automat that he agreed to be interviewed for the documentary and even recruited his longtime friend Carl Reiner to be interviewed, as well.
    • Goofs
      Under Cast, the end credits list Carl Reiner twice.
    • Quotes

      Self - Comedian: Of course, when you say "Automat" or "Horn & Hardart", very few people know what you're talking about. But, one of the greatest inventions in sane centers of paradise, where these places that had little glass windows, framed in brass, with knobs. And if you put two nickels into the slot next to the windows, the windows would open up, and you could take out a piece of lemon meringue pie for ten cents. And you could eat it. And that was called the Automat.

    • Crazy credits
      Video of Mel Brooks singing his song dedication of the automat, the orchestra recording the music along with photo stills and video clips from the documentary accompany the ending credits.
    • Connections
      Features The Early Bird (1925)
    • Soundtracks
      At the Automat
      Music & lyrics by Mel Brooks

      Performed by Mel Brooks

      Arranged and produced by Hummie Mann

      Courtesy of Brooksmusic

      [Played at the end of the movie leading into and during the end credits]

    User reviews21

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    10/10
    A MUST SEE!!!
    Seventy-nine minutes of pure delight!! Whether you experienced the wonder and deliciousness of the Automat, you've merely heard stories from family or you're hearing about the Automat for the very first time....don't miss treating yourself to this wonderful film about a genius food business - Horn and Hardart - that fed the needs of many above and beyond the food itself. First time director, Lisa Hurwitz, gives us a story that's entertaining, engaging and unforgettable. You'll love it!!
    helpful•15
    0
    • terryandlsm
    • Jun 12, 2022

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • September 22, 2022 (Canada)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official sites
      • Official Facebook
      • Official site
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Автомат
    • Filming locations
      • Napanoch, New York, USA(the white Colony Farm water tower in the beginning)
    • Production company
      • A Slice of Pie Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $257,371
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $13,917
      • Feb 20, 2022
    • Gross worldwide
      • $257,371
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 19 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
      • Black and White

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