These kinds of automats, serving up ‘practically everything’ imaginable (not just food, drinks) are still on practically every street corner in Japan. And they are still very popular and successful!
I had no idea what an Automat was until the 1999 movie, Dark City, which featured one near the beginiing of the film. I thought it was a fantasy concept made up to enhance the noir elements of the film. It was years later before I learned they were indeed a very real piece of history in these American cities. Makes me wonder if they would still be around if they had spread out beyond these cities. Japan has a few still but I'd love to see them comee back here.
I grew up in Philadelphia. The Horn and Hardart near the corner of Germantown and Lehigh Avenues was Nirvana and Heaven combined. Where else could a little Black kid who earned a few coins shining shoes Saturday morning, go into a beautiful place and get a slice of fresh apple pie for a nickel on his way home from the 25 cent movie he attended. Great memories. Thanks for posting - I'll check out the movie online!
The automat was a great equalizer. Where else would you find a black man earning a living bussing the tables, swinging a mop... There was no social degradation or a conspiracy of white people to suppress people of color. Just ordinary folks looking for value!
I'm so glad I had a chance to go to the Automat in NYC in the early 1980's before they were all gone. Such great memories.
horn and hardarts still sells coffee
These kinds of automats, serving up ‘practically everything’ imaginable (not just food, drinks) are still on practically every street corner in Japan. And they are still very popular and successful!
I had no idea what an Automat was until the 1999 movie, Dark City, which featured one near the beginiing of the film. I thought it was a fantasy concept made up to enhance the noir elements of the film. It was years later before I learned they were indeed a very real piece of history in these American cities. Makes me wonder if they would still be around if they had spread out beyond these cities. Japan has a few still but I'd love to see them comee back here.
I grew up in Philadelphia. The Horn and Hardart near the corner of Germantown and Lehigh Avenues was Nirvana and Heaven combined. Where else could a little Black kid who earned a few coins shining shoes Saturday morning, go into a beautiful place and get a slice of fresh apple pie for a nickel on his way home from the 25 cent movie he attended. Great memories. Thanks for posting - I'll check out the movie online!
The automat was a great equalizer. Where else would you find a black man earning a living bussing the tables, swinging a mop... There was no social degradation or a conspiracy of white people to suppress people of color. Just ordinary folks looking for value!
I use to go to the H & H automat in NYC on 86 Street. Great memories.
I loved her movie and found it on Amazon Prime!
Went to H&H as a kid downtown Philadelphia and one on 52nd st in west philly love the apple and lemon pie.
The great cafeterias are gone, too
This is before my time, but it seems wonderful. Just pick what you want to eat. No servers.