Taxi for Two (1928) - A messy but fun silent comedy short

If you have twenty minutes to kill and you don't mind the grainy, jumpy energy of 1920s shorts, Taxi for Two is actually a decent time. It’s definitely for people who find old-school physical failure funny. If you need a deep plot or 'character arcs,' you are going to hate this thing. 🚕

The movie starts with Don (William McCall) getting the boot from his job. He looks genuinely miserable for a second, like a wet noodle standing on a sidewalk. But then, he sees Dolly about to get flattened by a car and jumps in to save her.

It’s one of those classic movie rescues where the car is moving about five miles per hour, but everyone reacts like it's a speeding bullet. Dolly turns out to be the boss of a taxi company. Because this is movie-land, she just gives him a job right there.

I love how casual the hiring process was back then. No resume, no background check, just 'thanks for not letting me die, here is a fleet of vehicles.' Don is clearly not a great driver, which is where the 'comedy' kicks in.

The taxi office itself is a total mess. It feels cramped and dusty, like you can almost smell the old tobacco and engine oil through the screen. Tiny Ward is in this, and the name is a joke because the guy is absolutely massive.

Seeing him squeeze into scenes next to the other actors is one of the better visual gags. He has this way of looking down at people that makes them look like children.

Andy Clyde shows up too, and he’s basically the glue for these kinds of shorts. He has that face that just looks like it’s constantly vibrating with anxiety. Even when he isn't doing anything, he’s funny to look at.

There is a scene where a taxi is weaving through traffic that feels genuinely dangerous. I’m pretty sure they didn't have safety permits for half the stuff they filmed back then. You can see real pedestrians in the background looking confused. 🛑

The stunts are hit or miss, mostly hit if you like seeing people fall into things. One guy takes a tumble that looked like it actually hurt his lower back. I winced a little bit, honestly.

It reminds me a bit of the energy in Sunday Calm, where everything starts simple and just dissolves into a pile of problems. But this one feels a bit more urban and frantic.

The writing is credited to a few people, including Del Lord. You can tell they were just throwing ideas at the wall to see what would stick. Some of the title cards are a bit dry, but the physical acting does the heavy lifting.

There’s a specific moment where Don tries to look professional in his new uniform. He looks so uncomfortable, like the wool is scratching his skin off. The suit is clearly a size too small.

I found myself wondering if the taxi company was actually making any money. They seem to spend more time crashing than taking fares. It’s a miracle Dolly stays in business.

If you've seen things like Mountain Dew, you know this era of film wasn't trying to be high art. It was just trying to keep people from being bored for a quarter of an hour. And it works.

The ending comes up pretty fast. It doesn't really 'resolve' so much as it just stops when the film reel probably ran out. I kind of like that about these old shorts.

They don't overstay their welcome. They just give you a few laughs and get out of the way. It’s not as polished as something like His Father's Son, but it has more spirit.

I noticed a stray dog in one of the street scenes that seemed very interested in the camera. Small things like that are why I like watching these unpolished gems. It feels real.

Don’t expect a masterpiece. Just expect a few guys being silly in 1928. Sometimes that is all you really need on a Tuesday night. 🎞️