Home movie of an automat
Tavie sez, "My uncle has been going crazy lately uploading old home movies to Youtube. This one blew me away- I'd forgotten about the old automat, our favorite place to go to. We'd pop in change, open the door and take out slices of pie and sandwiches. This short clip shows my cousin Adam buying his own meal. It all seemed so magical and somehow 'futuristic' back then - and now, so old-fashioned. (The very last frame shows me at age 8 enjoying my spoils.)" Link (Thanks, Tavie!)
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These are still available all over Amsterdam (and probably other parts of the Netherlands) and seem to have enough patrons to keep them going - I see plenty of people using them.
There are half a dozen in the central station alone.
Ah, but do the Dutch ones have food prepared by chefs on the other side of the wall? IIRC, H&H Automats were not just vending machines.
@#2 DEVOPHILL :
Yes the ones in the Netherlands do have food prepared on the other side, most of the time it's dutch fast-food such as Kroketten, Frikandellen, Loempia's etc.
We always used to go to the one at a Shell station near Breda when going back to The Hague when we had been on holiday in Switzerland. :D
The old Horn & Hardart Automat Cafeteria on 5th Ave. in NY was one of my favorite places, ever. Their chicken pot pie was the best anywhere.
I'm glad that someone mentioned that fact that automats (at least some of the time) had an actual kitchen, and didn't just offer pre-made, plastic wrapped sandwiches and such (which reminds me of an episode of Barney Miller," but I can't think one--maybe there were several episodes).
At any rate, this was a revelation to me, as I had never (and still haven't) been to one. I also can't recall (Note to self: stock up on ginkgo biloba) the movie where I first saw this. This is perhaps relevant because I have the idea that is was some science fictiony B-movie where the leading lady worked in the back of an automat, and as she was after the leading man--who often had lunch there--she would have her co-worker cover for her. This provided several scenes showing back of the house operations. It can't say much for the movie that this is the only thing that sticks in my mind, but anyway....
I'm glad that someone mentioned that fact that automats (at least some of the time) had an actual kitchen, and didn't just offer pre-made, plastic wrapped sandwiches and such (which reminds me of an episode of Barney Miller," but I can't think one--maybe there were several episodes).
At any rate, this was a revelation to me, as I had never (and still haven't) been to one. I also can't recall (Note to self: stock up on ginkgo biloba) the movie where I first saw this. This is perhaps relevant because I have the idea that is was some science fictiony B-movie where the leading lady worked in the back of an automat, and as she was after the leading man--who often had lunch there--she would have her co-worker cover for her. This provided several scenes showing back of the house operations. It can't say much for the movie that this is the only thing that sticks in my mind, but anyway....
This clip shows the one on 42nd and 3rd in Manhattan - the last one, closed in 1991. *sniff*
The Amsterdam automats are called FEBO, which is like the McDonald's of the Netherlands; ubiquitous, inexpensive fast food. There are indeed people in back preparing the food; it would be a stretch, however, to call them cooks, as the food is, unfortunately, remarkably bad: dense, greasy, and inscrutable. It soaks up the beer, though, and is a fun mechanical experience.
I wish there were still Automats in NYC.
There is a new-ish automat that was opened in the East Village. http://www.bamnfood.com/
Holy cow!
If memory serves, this means I have 2 wishes left.
NYC: http://www.bamnfood.com/
I walked by it 1ce and although I did get a retro-desire to mash a handful of coin into a slot, I could bring myself neither to eat nor throw away the friedstuffs I'd receive. I came closest to getting the pork bun. Maybe some day - I wonder if it will survive; it didn't seem that popular at the time. Another problem with automats in big cities these days is that labor is appallingly cheap while high-traffic real estate is ludicrously expensive.
I came closest to getting the pork bun.
Hmmm. Automat dim sum. That sounds really good. Or automat sushi. It would be easier than trying to snag the boats.
If you google around a bit, you can find on-line recipes for some of the dishes that Horn & Hardart put in automats. Also, a book full of automat trivia and more recipes.
My mom took my to an automat when I was a little kid. I don't remember what we bought, but it was for the novelty value, not because we were getting lunch. I do recall the sad little ceramic bowls of baked beans, and a coffee spigot shaped like a dragon.
The dispensers took actual coins at the time. A few years later, the NYC automats were reduced to tourist novelties and the machines took pricey tokens.
While Horn & Hardart is gone, an old building-side sign for it is still visible from the window of the office where I used to work, on Seventh Ave between 37th and 38th Streets. I wish I'd snapped a photo of it when I had the chance.
I love automats, despite never having actually been to one. I'm not sure if I'd like newer ones, but the style of the old Automats is something I admire. I also love conveyor belt sushi and mongolian barbecue... anything where you don't have to interact with a waiter appeals to me, even though I don't have anything against waiters.
JHM, I remember that the movie Dark City featured an automat, though it sounds like that may not be the one you're thinking of.
they still have these in Belgium... at the Belgian equivalent of 7-11's.
A few still shots from the video poster (showing more of the inside) can be found at http://www.bubbleshare.com/album/140585/overview
My dad, the most curmudgeonly old science fiction nerd on the planet, says: The time of history you are living in today has not replaced the old Horn & Hardart automats with better food unless you go to a restaurant. Fast food places have lowered the quality of food and forced the old automats out of business but have failed to offer the public better food for their money. Sometimes the future is not as good as the past.
He's old. :D
JHM -- I'm not sure if the movie you are thinking of is "That Touch of Mink" with Doris Day and Cary Grant. Doris' best friend and roommate in the film, played by Audrey Meadows, works in the automat. Every time I see it, I want to go there.
Recently, I went to Clifton's Cafeteria in downtown Los Angeles. It's not an automat, but an old old school cafeteria from 1931. My friend and I discussed how there used to be cafeterias on every block and automats on every other block and how we would love to go to an automat. Where is that time machine when you really want it?