Watch Famous Nathan

Famous Nathan is a 2014 documentary that tells the story of one of the most famous hot dog stands in America, Nathan's Famous. The movie is directed by Lloyd Handwerker, the grandson of the founder of Nathan's Famous and the son of Sol Handwerker, who ran the business for many years. The documentary features interviews with Nathan Handwerker, the founder of Nathan's Famous, who tells his story of how he started the business in Coney Island in 1916 with just $300 borrowed from friends. Nathan Handwerker's philosophy was simple: serve a quality hot dog at a fair price. He wanted to offer the working-class people of Coney Island a tasty and affordable meal that they could enjoy while strolling along the boardwalk.

The film explores the rise of Nathan's Famous from a small hot dog stand to a national brand. It shows how the business grew during the 1920s and 1930s by attracting customers with its delicious hot dogs, fries, and milkshakes. We learn about the role that Nathan's Famous played during World War II, when it became a popular spot for soldiers to grab a quick bite on their way to and from the war.

The movie also delves into the personal lives of the Handwerker family, who ran Nathan's Famous for generations. We hear from Lloyd and Sol Handwerker, who share their memories of growing up in and around the business. We learn about the challenges that they faced as they worked to keep Nathan's Famous afloat during tough economic times and changing cultural trends.

Famous Nathan is not just a movie about a hot dog stand, but also a portrait of Coney Island, the legendary beach destination that has attracted millions of visitors over the years. The documentary shows how Nathan's Famous became a part of the fabric of Coney Island, both as a symbol of the area's history and as a source of affordable food for generations of residents and visitors.

One of the film's most interesting elements is its use of vintage footage and photographs, which help to bring the history of Nathan's Famous and Coney Island to life. We see images of Nathan Handwerker frying up hot dogs on his small stove, crowds of people lining up for Nathan's Famous during the heyday of the boardwalk, and families enjoying a day out at Coney Island.

Through its interviews, archival footage, and beautiful cinematography, Famous Nathan provides a fascinating window into the history of one of America's most iconic food brands. Whether you're a foodie, a history buff, or a lover of all things New York, this movie is not to be missed.

In conclusion, Famous Nathan is a captivating documentary about a legendary hot dog brand and its ties to the history of Coney Island. Featuring interviews with the Handwerker family, iconic footage of the hot dog stand in action, and a wealth of information about the rise of Nathan's Famous, this movie is a must-see for anyone who loves food, history, or New York City.

Famous Nathan is a 2015 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 26 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.7 and a MetaScore of 74.