Sandwiched In with Lisa Hurwitz - Director of "The Automat"

Join us for a special screening and discussion with filmmaker Lisa Hurwitz, director of The Automat, which offers a nostalgic journey to the iconic restaurant chain Horn & Hardart, which served affordable-priced quality food to millions of New Yorkers and Philadelphians for more than a century.  The chain welcomed those who had been ignored, including immigrants, the working-class, Blacks, and women, all of whom were often not welcome in restaurants. Horn & Hardart’s technology captured the public’s imagination like nothing else in the 1900’s— the customer put nickels into slots and little windows opened to reveal the customer’s pick, be it a slice of pie, macaroni and cheese, or a Salisbury steak.  Regular customers and celebrities, including Mel Brooks, Carl Reiner, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, and Colin Powell recount their memories of these Art-Deco inspired restaurants which offered state of the art technology for the early 20th century.  Ms. Hurwitz will discuss the making of the film as well as answer questions from the audience.

Please note this will be an in-person only event.

(Sponsored by the Friends of the Library)