Rotten Tomatoes
Cancel Movies Tv shows FanStore News Showtimes

California Typewriter

Play trailer 1:27 Poster for California Typewriter Released Aug 18, 2017 1h 43m Documentary Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
100% Tomatometer 40 Reviews 84% Popcornmeter 250+ Ratings
A look at the people who remain loyal to the typewriter as a tool and muse, and a portrait of California Typewriter, a typewriter service and sales company in Berkeley that has been in business since 1949.
Watch on Peacock Stream Now

Where to Watch

California Typewriter

California Typewriter

What to Know

Critics Consensus

California Typewriter is an affectionate, nostalgic love letter to the typed word from enthusiasts and experts alike.

Read Critics Reviews

Critics Reviews

View All (40) Critics Reviews
Bruce DeMara Toronto Star There are two ready-made audiences for this doc and both will benefit from seeing it. Rated: 3/4 Oct 27, 2017 Full Review Brad Wheeler Globe and Mail I enjoyed this film about typewriters so much that I feel guilty writing this review on a computer instead of a Smith Corona. Rated: 4/4 Oct 27, 2017 Full Review Marjorie Baumgarten Austin Chronicle California Typewriter wanders a bit in its curiosity, but it is hardly a piece of ephemeral nostalgia. Rated: 3/5 Sep 21, 2017 Full Review Diana Tuova Spotlight on Film California Typewriter is a...nostalgic documentary which makes an important and persuasive statement about the simple pleasures (and added value) of doing things in a certain way that becomes more and more inaccessible to humans. Rated: 4/5 Aug 4, 2024 Full Review Michael J. Casey Michael J. Cinema An exuberant embrace of an analog world. Rated: 4/5 Jun 15, 2021 Full Review Dennis Harvey 48 Hills Doug Nicol's documentary celebrates the history and mystique around the humble machine whose heyday lasted about a century... Oct 27, 2020 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (22) audience reviews
Audience Member In the age of innovative technology with blurry relevancy out of necessity, the original hand-on industrial instrument that is not driven electrically becomes a neglected gem valued timelessly relevant. Though only bounded in one state and occasionally led astray for the point of other more artistical usage, this fascinating documentary types up an excellent portrait for the typewriter's old-fashioned nostalgia with insights' passion that position the device under rejuvenated interest. (B+) Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/17/23 Full Review don k There can be no other movie made with such a deep love of subject and respect for those who share and contribute to that love. A bittersweet examination of time: its passing and its endlessness, its endurance and its ephemeralness, its consistent elusiveness and its chimerical character; and the beautiful souls—quirky, quixotic and qwertyful—who inhabit it. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Audience Member The little shop depicted was one of those nerve centers where mostly quiet and important work went along rhythmically for over 70 years. From the essential role it filled from it's beginning to all the modern iterations of the machines within it's walls it never lost sight of purpose, or intensity of dedication to it's customer base. The family dinner table scene where they voice their responsibilities to the soon-to-be unemployed workers was heart rending in core ethos of the building's owners. A bona fide piece of Americana at it's best and a soulful tribute of regard for things receding from our collective image. Great people well-filmed being themselves. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/28/23 Full Review Audience Member If I could give this more stars, I would. OMG, I loved this so much! Yes, I admit that Tom Hanks was the reason I was even interested in it but wow, what an amazing documentary; probably the best one I've seen in years. It was well done, but not boring, and it was very fascinating. It's been so so long since I've typed on a typewriter and now I find myself wanting to try it just once. We take so much for granted with computers and as a writer, I would love to just put some paper into a typewriter and just type till my heart's content. What an amazing thing that would be. Tom Hanks isn't in this documentary much but I really loved the segments with Sam Shepard (God rest his soul) and John Mayer. Aside from Tom Hanks, John Mayer was my favorite. If I'm in California I want to go to that California Typewriter store and check it out. It looks amazing and it's nice to know it's there. I hope that it's there for a long time. Seriously, everyone should watch this documentary. It's funny and informative and if you've never seen a typewriter orchestra, well, you're really missing out! Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/01/23 Full Review Audience Member The show was Amazing, I got my first type writer from my neighbor Frederica Pacheco at a very young age to write Poems , Still Admire the Type writer very much... Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/15/23 Full Review Audience Member Surprisingly entertaining documentary with very likable people. I guess this movie should come with a disclaimer or a warning: This film may show minorities and other Americans saying positive things about the United States. If your one of those people who have a difficult time digesting such things, you should probably skip this film. Otherwise, it's a treat. I'm uncertain why the filmmaker felt the need to validate the theme by interviewing celebrities, but I guess that's the in thing. Trust me, this film is VERY interesting, and celebrates the concept of individualism, innovation, and hard work, from the man who repairs typewriters to the musical act that uses only typewriters. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/17/23 Full Review Read all reviews
California Typewriter

My Rating

Read More Read Less POST RATING WRITE A REVIEW EDIT REVIEW

Cast & Crew

The Pulitzer at 100 22% % The Pulitzer at 100 Watchlist TRAILER for The Pulitzer at 100 Obit. 93% 76% Obit. Watchlist TRAILER for Obit. Peter and the Farm 100% 76% Peter and the Farm Watchlist TRAILER for Peter and the Farm Two Who Dared: The Sharp's War 100% 74% Two Who Dared: The Sharp's War Watchlist Silicon Cowboys 100% 75% Silicon Cowboys Watchlist Discover more movies and TV shows. View More

Movie Info

Synopsis A look at the people who remain loyal to the typewriter as a tool and muse, and a portrait of California Typewriter, a typewriter service and sales company in Berkeley that has been in business since 1949.
Director
Doug Nichol
Producer
John Benet, Doug Nichol, Nion McEvoy
Distributor
Gravitas Ventures
Production Co
American Buffalo Pictures
Genre
Documentary
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Aug 18, 2017, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Oct 20, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA)
$218.6K
Runtime
1h 43m
Most Popular at Home Now