Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		5.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		0.0
Overall		3.5

Taxi Girls Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf May 3, 2021

1979’s “Taxi Girls” takes viewers into a heated battle between cab companies working the streets of Hollywood. However, only the ladies of Pink Taxi have previous experience with streetwalking. “Taxi Girls” is a semi-comedy about the lives of prostitutes who decide to make their illegal business passably legitimate to outsiders, with the screenplay detailing the lives of employees who spend their days driving around, picking up customers for some quick action before dropping them off at their destination. It’s the ideal scenario for adult entertainment, exploring the formation and commencement of a ridiculous plan for employment, and it’s all quite amusing before a third act turn into violence dampens the cheery spirit of the endeavor.

Toni (Nancy Suiter) is fed-up with being a streetwise prostitute, recently suffering through an arrest. She hatches a plan to create Pink Taxi, a company that allows hookers a chance to hide their activities as cab drivers, servicing clients during operating hours. The men of Yellow Cab aren’t happy to learn about the competition, setting out to destroy Pink Taxi, with Toni’s husband, Johnny (John Holmes), greatly concerned about her safety.

Toni is an odd character, working mostly as a prostitute on the streets of Hollywood, but she also has a dream to become a stand-up comedian, with “Taxi Girls” even pausing the story to check out her act, which apparently requires a different accent from Suiter. The 1970s was a weird time. Comedy plays a part in “Taxi Girls,” but the feature is more interesting in the business world, watching Toni and her team (including Bette Midler lookalike Stacy Goldman) create Pink Taxi, using their “talents” to charm the pants off men in power. They overwhelm cops, bank employees, and a used car salesman, aiming to build a taxi company capable of bringing customers to their destination, both literally and sexually.

The picture is entertaining when it doesn’t feel burdened by storytelling, going episodic with various riders and their needs, including an older man escaping his marriage with a ride around the block, and there’s a cheapskate who can only afford some backseat time with a blow-up doll. Something of a plot slams down on “Taxi Girls” in its second half, detailing Johnny’s concern for Toni (which is clumsily inserted into the movie, suggesting it was a last-minute idea) and the rise of Yellow Cab creeps, who seek revenge on Pink Cab for ruining their business. Instead of pranks or car destruction, there’s sexual assault, which destroys the lightness of the endeavor, closing with an extended sequence of suffering.

Taxi Girls Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.85:1 aspect ratio) presentation is a fresh 2K scan of the 35mm original negatives, restoring the bright imagery of "Taxi Girls," which favoring big lighting and outdoor adventures. Clarity is ideal throughout the viewing experience, offering sharp textures on body particulars and period clothing, and interiors are open for study, with woodsy, carpeted rooms common. Exteriors are dimensional, capturing L.A. street life. Colors are distinct, with costume choices bringing out period hues, including deep reds. Greenery is exact, and full body skintones are natural. Delineation is satisfactory. Grain is fine and film-like. Source is in good condition, with a few frame discolorations and mild scratches.

Taxi Girls Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix offers a mostly clear understanding of dialogue exchanges, with a few brief dips into muddiness, which aren't severe. Dramatic emphasis is understood, along with sharper stage performances. Sexual response is equally pronounced. Scoring supports with comfort and clean instrumentation, including the use of a flute to set the softer tone of the taxi war.

Taxi Girls Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

There is no supplementary material on this release.

Taxi Girls Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"Taxi Girls" offers a pleasant enough adult film experience for its first two acts, offering plenty of carnal situations and group experiences while presenting a cheeky take on the formation of a business plan where the only currency appears to be sexual favors. Before darkness claims the endeavor, "Taxi Girls" has a certain pluck and level of oddness to keep it interesting.