
Gary Walkow shot this film in 1977 and completed it in 1978. In the August 1979 issue of "American Cinematographer" Tom Frei wrote an article "Moving Camera Shots inside a Moving Automobile." The entire film was shot inside of a Oldsmobile Starfire. Gary looped the entire soundtrack but now feels it would have been much better using the production sound. Oh, well.
Directed by Gary Walkow, AUTO-MATES leans on a strong ensemble — Geraldine Bartlett, Patrick Kuhn — to carry a story that balances spectacle with character.
The film landed with audiences for its craft and performances, and remains one of the most talked-about screen titles of 1978.
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A mother takes her two sons on an unusual road trip from New York to Pittsburgh, St. Louis and eventually Hollywood in her quest to find a man to take care of them all.
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