"Taxi!" is a 1932 film starring James Cagney and Loretta Young, made after Cagney's big success in "Public Enemy." The '30s were a time when much of what was seen in theater and film reflected the plight of the blue-collar worker. Sophisticated drawing room comedies and rich folk were replaced by "Waiting for Lefty," "Golden Boy," "Awake and Sing" and the like.
The theme of taxi companies fighting the independent cabbies was used other films, "Born Reckless" in 1937 and "Big City" in 1937 being two. In "Taxi!" Sue (Loretta Young) sees her father (Guy Kibbee) go to prison for killing a driver sent by a thug named Gerard who deliberately smashes his taxi. He dies in prison; later on, Gerard stabs the younger brother of Matt (Cagney) and kills him. Matt and Sue fall in love, despite being on opposite sides of the fence - she's against violence, he's all for it - and get married. Matt can't let go of wanting revenge against Gerard.
The film is dated not only because of its theme but also the depiction of acceptable spousal abuse. However, it's notable for evoking a New York atmosphere and for the fact that Cagney speaks Yiddish at the beginning of the film. This was added to the movie when it was found out that Cagney knew Yiddish. Young is incredibly beautiful but maybe a little too classy, and Cagney does what will be a familiar role for him well. One poster here thought that Leila Bennett as Ruby was hilarious; to me she was totally annoying. Four years later, she made her last film.
"Taxi!" is interesting for the cast, but you'll be turned off when Matt let's Sue have it. Look for George Raft as a competitor in a dance contest.
The theme of taxi companies fighting the independent cabbies was used other films, "Born Reckless" in 1937 and "Big City" in 1937 being two. In "Taxi!" Sue (Loretta Young) sees her father (Guy Kibbee) go to prison for killing a driver sent by a thug named Gerard who deliberately smashes his taxi. He dies in prison; later on, Gerard stabs the younger brother of Matt (Cagney) and kills him. Matt and Sue fall in love, despite being on opposite sides of the fence - she's against violence, he's all for it - and get married. Matt can't let go of wanting revenge against Gerard.
The film is dated not only because of its theme but also the depiction of acceptable spousal abuse. However, it's notable for evoking a New York atmosphere and for the fact that Cagney speaks Yiddish at the beginning of the film. This was added to the movie when it was found out that Cagney knew Yiddish. Young is incredibly beautiful but maybe a little too classy, and Cagney does what will be a familiar role for him well. One poster here thought that Leila Bennett as Ruby was hilarious; to me she was totally annoying. Four years later, she made her last film.
"Taxi!" is interesting for the cast, but you'll be turned off when Matt let's Sue have it. Look for George Raft as a competitor in a dance contest.