Streetwalkin' (1985) User Reviews (24)

Old New York.

[BA_Harrison · 7/10 · 1 April 2019]

New York in the '70s and '80s wasn't like it is now: in those days, the trash strewn street corners were crawling with hookers, rent boys, pimps, vigilantes, muggers, psychos, rapists and flick-knife wielding gang members, and every cinema - I mean EVERY cinema - showed either hardcore porn, or grindhouse flicks like Streetwalkin', a prime slice of mid-'80s exploitation that revels in the filth and sleaze of the 'big apple'.

The film opens as pretty redhead teenage runaway Cookie (Melissa Leo) and her younger brother Tim (Randall Batinkoff) arrive in the city, where they are immediately approached by eagle-eyed pimp Duke (Dale Midkiff), who befriends the desperate kids. It's not long before Cookie is working for Duke, selling her nubile young bod to desperate johns. Cookie eventually sees Duke for the maniac he really is when fellow working girl Heather is beaten to a pulp by the psycho pimp. Cookie seeks help from another pimp, Jason (Leon), who sends his men to take care of Duke. However, the men mess up and Duke escapes, seething with anger and looking for revenge.

If you're a fan of gritty 'life on the streets' movies like Vice Squad and Angel, then you know what to expect from Streetwalkin': it's got the high school dropout ho, the experienced prossie with a heart (played by TV's Catwoman Julie Newmar), a jive talkin' Antonio 'Huggy Bear' Fargas, gun-toting pimps, pimp vs pimp fisticuffs, and a masochistic john, with plenty of drug-use, violence and nudity. For those who wish to wallow in the grime and filth of a New York that is no more, this one more than delivers the goods. You can almost smell the sewers...

7/10.

Streetwalkin'! It's a crazy life!

[Hey_Sweden · 6/10 · 5 August 2016]

Future Oscar winner Melissa Leo is radiant here in a very early big screen appearance. She plays "Cookie", a runaway girl, who's fleeing an abusive stepfather and pitiless mother, along with her younger brother Tim (Randall Batinkoff). Almost immediately after arriving at the Port Authority bus terminal, she's targeted by a pimp named Duke (Dale Midkiff of "Pet Sematary"). Grateful that he gives the two of them a place to stay, she's soon turning tricks for the guy, but turns sour on him when he brutally beats her friend Heather (Deborah Offner). When she thinks of switching pimps, things escalate to the point where he's spending an eventful night tracking her down, intending on doling out some serious punishment.

While "Streetwalkin'" is to be commended for being reasonably sleazy and offering an appropriately grim look at the whole world of hookers and pimps, there's really nothing that's special here. The ladies all look great, of course. Julie Newmar of 'Batman' fame shows that she could still turn heads at 50 something years of age, and gives a solid performance as a worldly veteran prostitute. Writer / producer Robert Alden and writer / director Joan Freeman maintain a respectable enough pace, use their locations well, and create the right look for the movie with cinematographer Steven Fierberg. Leo is an appealing protagonist, and Midkiff is definitely amusing as a creep who won't be deterred from his mission. He takes a lot of abuse on his way to the inevitable showdown. Leon, Antonio Fargas, Annie Golden, Khandi Alexander, Julie Cohen, Greg Germann, and Kirk "The Giggler" Taylor round out a decent supporting cast. This viewer particularly liked singer Golden as the pathetic junkie hooker Phoebe.

The movie might have had more impact if it weren't so obviously reminiscent of "Vice Squad". One thing's for sure: Midkiff is no Wings Hauser.

Six out of 10.

Superfly, superfine, disco dolly exploitation film

[rene-caron · 7/10 · 14 January 2019]

If you missed out on the 1980s sleaze disco scene this movie is for you. All the standard pimp characters are here with there assorted hos. The movie is surprisingly entertaining given that it is a rehash of every hooker-on-the-street film out there. It's not dull, which is the worst sin of an exploitation film. There was surprisingly good acting all around and I'd give almost all these actors a pardon for being in this film. The soundtrack is someone on a synth in their bedroom but that just adds to the charm. The badguy pimp Duke really outdoes himself bursting with horror-film rage and his favorite ho Cookie hands in a very decent performance as the naive happy hooker. You may want to take a shower after watching this or see a priest.

"Vice Squad" lite ...............

[merklekranz · 6/10 · 6 March 2014]

The film isn't bad. The problem is you've seen it all before. "Vice Squad" (1982), "Angel" (1984), "Boulevard" (1994). Nothing new here. On top of being a rehash of every pimps and ho's movie out there, Dale Midkiff as the pimp comes across as a "lite" version of Wings Hauser's "Ramrod" in "Vice Squad". One big plus for "Streetwalkin" is Julie Newmar being cast as the street wise matron hooker. Other than that, the movie follows the standard script, new girl comes to town, meets mister charming, gets sucked into the "life', finds out the reality, reacts to the brutality. If you haven't seen "Vice Squad" then you might appreciate "Streetwalkin" a bit more, otherwise this is pretty tame stuff compared to "Wings" outrageous portrayal as the brutal pimp "Ramrod". - MERK

Surprisingly watchable

[Leofwine_draca · 6/10 · 27 March 2019]

STREETWALKIN' is an '80s thriller that manages to be sleazy and suspenseful in equal measure, while at the same time providing a fitting snapshot of culture during the decade. Melissa Leo delivers a breakout turn as Cookie, a youthful prostitute who finds herself the target of psychotic pimp Dale Midkiff, who I've previously only seen playing good-guy roles. Midkiff is a revelation here, a really frightening individual and one of the stand-out antagonists I've seen in a while. The film offers plenty of grot, sleazy and nudity throughout, with sudden bursts of violence and a remorseless, TERMINATOR-style threat for our heroine. It's surprisingly watchable.

Not without merit

[JohnSeal · 4/10 · 26 June 2005]

Streetwalkin' is no classic, but it does have some points in its favor. The film's gritty ambiance is certainly of tremendous value, and the undervalued Melissa Leo (21 Grams) delivers a reasonably good performance as Cookie, a young woman forced onto the streets when she runs away from home and her family refuses to take her back. She's also responsible for her annoying younger brother (Randall Batinkoff)and is soon in the grips of psychotic pimp Duke (Dale Midkiff), who likes to beat his women when he isn't selling them. The film's screenplay, a collaboration between Robert Alden and director Joan Freeman, takes a determinedly feminist stance, with all the male characters basically being scum. Alden and Freeman's only other credit is the nearly unwatchable rock and rock fable Satisfaction, which makes Streetwalkin' look like Citizen Kane in comparison. All in all, an interesting exploitation film that belongs more to the sleazy 70s than to the corporate 80s.

She walks the sleazy streets, on the boulevard of broken dreams...

[Coventry · 6/10 · 4 January 2024]

The concept of "Streetwalkin''" isn't new. Throughout the 70s and 80s there were lots of exploitation movies depicting the gritty and disturbing nightlife in the back-alley streets of big cities like New York and Los Angeles. It doesn't matter if there are many, though, because every rough and realistic portrait of street prostitution is worth seeing.

So, yes, the many comparisons between this one and "Vice Squad" (1982) are justified. And, again yes, the latter is better and even more impactful. That still doesn't mean "Streetwalkin'" doesn't come recommended as well.

"Streetwalkin'", written and directed by Joan Freeman, teaches us at least two valuable lessons. One: when you're a runaway teenage girl and your name is Cookie, then you don't have to worry about finding a suitable street name. Two: if you want to teach a cruel pimp a lesson, you better make sure he's dead, otherwise he'll turn into a mad psycho with only blood-vengeance on his mind. Poor Cookie, her kid brother, and a few of her colleagues must battle for survival after she rejects her maniacal pimp, Duke.

Strong performances from the ensemble cast, the authentic grim atmosphere, and a handful of uncompromisingly violent sequences make this a strong & memorable mid 80s drama/thriller. Melissa Leo is terrific as the vulnerable Cookie, but the most forceful performances come from Dale Midkiff (as the psychotic pimp) and Julie Newmar (as the elderly, wise, and experienced street flower).

Trashy!

[jellopuke · 5/10 · 14 October 2020]

This starts off like a movie of the week, then turns into a pimp slasher movie. It's a bit all over the place, with some over the top acting, but it's trashy and weird enough that it's worth a watch. Julie Newmar seems to be on a different planet though.

Fun and Action packed - 80's Style Drama

[Are-Jay · 17 October 2001]

This movie is a good depiction of life on the streets as prostitution is often glorified in other movies (eg Pretty Woman). This movie shows the grim reality and gruesomeness of a street walking prostitute. It shows the rough relationship between Pimp and Hooker. There are many scences in this movie that are funny too! One scene is where the pimp Duke comes back to the apartment looking for Cookie who got him abducted. Here in the apartment he rips the whole place apart and acts like a madman - quite funny! Then another scene shows Cookie and another prostitute forcing a client to act like a cow as they humiliate him. All in All, not a movie of the modern day, but still worth a watch. The action packed chase at the end is really adrenalizing as you feel as if you are in the movie too! Not to forget lots of violence in this film.

Pretty decent exploitation thriller

[dworldeater · 6/10 · 17 November 2020]

I have to agree with the other reviewers on here that I would probably like this more if I had not seen Vice Squad before this. Streetwalking is very similar to Vice Squad, but is not as gripping or as well done. The guy who plays the pimp Duke in this film is soft compared to Ram Rod. I must admit though that Wings Hauser's performance as Ram Rod is hard to beat. Even so, this film is definitely not bad at all and is pretty good for what it is. This Roger Corman production is pretty realistic and gritty and is a pretty downbeat depiction of the life of a prostitute. I thought the leading lady Melissa Leo was stunning and sympathetic as the ill fated cookie and her performance was pretty good. Actually the actiing was fairly good across the board. Anthony Fargas had a small, but very memorable role as a pimp. In my opinion, he should have had a bigger part, but made the best of the limited screen time he had here. Overall Streetwalking is a pretty decent watch, but is missing something that could have made this great.

Sgt. Kay Howard gets topless, and she looks good

[movieman_kev · 4/10 · 5 April 2006]

Before she was a member of Baltimore's Homicide division, Melissa Leo was Cookie a teenage runaway who ends up turning tricks in New York after meeting the personable Duke (Dale Midkiff, best known for his lead in "Pet Semetary"), who lays some good old pimpology on this naive innocent girl, much to the chagrin of Cookie's brother who also ran away from home with her. One day, Cookie wises up after her fellow hooker friend gets the stuffing beat out of her and tries to leave, but Duke is on her tail. This movie could have been something special due to the talent involved,but as it plays out, it turns out pretty lame. The story is nothing special and goes in circles for too long, Midkiff is far from a convincing heavy, and I started to get bored before it was over The film is only worth a curiosity view to see TV stars past and future (the aforementioned Leo topless, Khandi Alexander before"Newsradio", and Julie 'Catwoman' Newmmar in the Queen Bee part). That alone raises it up a grade for me.

Eye Candy: Melissa Leo, Samantha Fox, and a few extras get topless

Where I Saw It: Showtime Extreme

My Grade: C

A nice slice of 80's urban sleaze

[Woodyanders · 8/10 · 4 August 2011]

Teenager Cookie (an excellent and affecting performance by Melissa Leo) runs away from home to escape her abusive stepfather and goes to New York City with her younger brother Tim (a solid portrayal by Randall Batinkoff). Cookie falls under the spell of smooth, but sadistic pimp Duke (well played with frightening conviction by Dale Midkiff), who turns her out as a Times Square hooker. Director Joan Freeman, who also co-wrote the seamy, yet engrossing script with Robert Alden, maintains an appropriately hard and gritty tone throughout, offers a vivid evocation of the Big Apple's grimy red light district underbelly, delivers a handy helping of graphic nudity and perverse sexuality, and stages the tense and exciting climax with real flair and skill. The sound acting from the sturdy cast helps a lot: Antonio Fargas as suave master pimp Finesse, Julie Newmar as tough, sassy, and maternal veteran whore Queen Bee, Leon Robinson as slick rival pimp Jason, Khandi Alexander as the gutsy and enticing Star, Annie Golden as pathetic strung-out junkie Phoebe, and Julie Cohen as the perky Tricia. The startling moments of raw brutal violence pack a pretty mean punch. The funky soundtrack hits the get-down groovy spot (the theme song in particular totally smokes). Steben Fierberg's glittery cinematography gives the picture a sparkling neon glow. The pulsating score by Doug Timm and Matthew Ender throbs to a neat syncopated beat. Good trashy fun.

Times Square 80's/Young Mellisa Leo

[laurenrandy · 7/10 · 3 April 2021]

A forgotten gem. Melissa Leo is awesome. And Leon is the smoothest pimp ever put on screen.

If you're looking for a film about "the life" -- there are better.

But if you're looking for a moody piece that will make you feel nostalgic for 80's NYC, I can't think of many better.

Oh, my goodness.

[lambiepie-2 · 1/10 · 23 September 2006]

I forgot about this film until the other night, one of the premium cable channels dug this up. Then I remembered it. It was not an academy award winning drama by any stretch of the imagination and the best thing about this film is watching actors who went on to bigger and better things.

That is the beauty of a film like this...you look at it from "back in the day" and say, "Hey isn't that so-and so ... who was in such and such?" There's a lot of that here.

The story is simple, girl leaves home, turns street walker to survive on the mean, dirty, slimy streets. The small twist is that she runs away with her little brother. And you've got Antonio "huggy bear" Fargas playing...gasp...a pimp! Whata stretch! You'll get to see the street competition with pimps, drug use, cheesy lines, slapping around your ho's ...all sorts of things like that before Disney got a hold of street walkers to make them look super clean and cute.

Yes, this movie consists of all the things that made movies like this a nice springboard and paycheck for up and coming actors to cut their teeth with.

Low budget, low acting film.

Streetwalkin, Maybe Walk on By

[s_bradford · 6/10 · 20 March 2020]

This film had 2 bright spots: Melissa Leo, and Julie Newmar. Melissa Leo did a great job. Her acting was good, even though the storyline was weak in parts. Julie Newmar was beautiful, but was almost wasted in this film. I wish her part was bigger, and I wished she said purrfect more often. Overall, this movie wasn't bad. But it just felt like it was missing something.

I love the NY Underground Soundtrack

[EAA123 · 7/10 · 17 February 2020]

The scenes at One's Nightclub brought back memories!

Same o'l, same o'l boulevard of broken dreams

[videorama-759-859391 · 4/10 · 14 April 2015]

Here's one of Leo's films, that I'm sure she wants to leave behind her. Much sexier then, her name only came up again in The Fighter. If you've seen other prostitute movies, they run similar paths or in one case, the same path: check out Angel In Red, you know what you're in for: drama, sex, sleaze. A high school drop out, Leo and her little brother are approached by a pimp, Duke (an effective Dale Midkaff). He uses his charm and good looks to lead the vulnerable Cookie (Leo) into this sordid and violent life, where soon she's on the boulevard, turning tricks, going to seedy motels with sicko's, one wanting to marry her of course (really check out Angel In Red) When discovering one of her own, beaten to death by Duke, she luckily escapes, with our Duke hunting her down like a wild animal. This is basically the plot for the rest of the movie, that does some pretty scary moments up near the end, and early in the pic, thanks to Midkaff. The film's highlights I guess, is watching Randall Batinkoff, as a not so bright character, one of Duke's associates, helping him track down our Cookie. He's like a pathetic leech, grabber on'er basically, while the other highlight is the famous Julie (Catwoman) Newmar, as an older haggard pro. Look, if you like 80's prostitute films, this is just another one to add to your agenda. Juicily entertaining sleaze, but a good film? No. Just a bad cliché'd one, where out of interest to see a younger Leo, in an average performance, watch.

Streetfallen'

[JasonXIX · 4/10 · 21 September 2020]

Another 80s sleazefest that doesn't know what it wants to be. Some parts goofy sex comedy, other parts brutal drama. It's similar to other (better) 80s movies like 'Savage Streets' and the 'Angel' series.

Exploitation, sex and violence...

[drhannibal666 · 2/10 · 14 November 2000]

In a sex-and-violence film that emphasizes the physical abuse of young women, director Joan Freeman may raise the shackles as well as the hackles of her distaff viewing audience. Cookie (Melissa Leo) is a young runaway who arrives in New York City with her brother in tow and ends up working as a prostitute for the apparently easy-going Duke (Dale Midkiff).

Everything seems fine, at least as much as can be expected, until one of Duke's streetwalkers threatens to quit, and he nearly beats her to death. Sickened and shocked, Cookie runs away with an infuriated Duke hot in pursuit and unsparing of anyone who gets in his way. The murders, the beatings, the stabbings, and other forms of mayhem weigh heavily in the plot's sequences.

My Rating:2/10

This is what I call an NYC 80s Movie!

[janieves · 10/10 · 5 December 2018]

Flashback in the 80s NYC nightlife all RAW and soundtrack was DOPE! I wish I knew where they filmed the name of the club in this movie? Awesome movie hands down "Julie Newmar" is even in it.. Genuine! Authentic! Cinema!

Camp 70's hooker/pimp Afterschool Special

[tcarroll-23092 · 4/10 · 23 December 2018]

Surprisingly many people who are still liked to thus day "acted" their way through this wannabe mess of gritty 70's NYC lowlife life. Seriously, it's just an AfterSchool special with an R rating for boobs.

Watch Taxi Driver instead.

the Citizen Kane of prostitution films

[pxystx976 · 9/10 · 21 September 2006]

I recently had the pleasure of viewing this work of art and I was utterly spellbound. Every second of this film felt like a miracle on the screen of my television. By the time the credits rolled, I was breathless. A prime example of perfect casting, the characters went from working the streets of The Big Apple to finding a place in my heart. The plot is everything you could dream of. A high school dropout (Melissa Leo) ventures to New York City with her younger brother and becomes a prostitute. 'Nuff said, great movie. It really is a shame that this film will never be seen on DVD. I would enjoy hearing commentary tracks from director Joan Freeman and co-star Dale Midkiff( best known for his role in Pet Semetary). I put this gem on my personal top ten list; above Titanic and Wizard of Oz. If you are fortunate enough to find this movie in the $1 bin of your local video store, don't hesitate to buy it. This is the Gone With The Wind of 80s sleaze films. You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll watch it again...

Classic, gritty, funny, 80s New York street hooker life

[CriticsVoiceVideo · 10/10 · 20 August 2021]

Great movie with a great cast. It's a time capsule of 80s sleaze in NYC. This is what the HBO show "The Deuce" should have been.

Old New York City

[pinooch-56736 · 10/10 · 24 April 2022]

GREAT MOVIE!

Super flashback of the 1980s scene of the nightlife and dance music.

This is when New York City was fun. I was working in Manhattan on 51st Street and 6th avenue on the midnight shift from 1984 through 89. So everything and I mean everything I've seen in this movie reminds me of when I was hanging out partying there.

The music was great in this movie. Go bang, I want it to be real, you don't know, and other great '80s classic dance tracks. I don't know the club they were in but I wish I did in this movie.

Inside the club in this movie sort of reminded me of a mini funhouse disco with all the neon lights and stuff and the music that was playing. But it wasn't the fun house. Good acting , everything that went on was all for real I actually seen it for my own eyes in this era. Whoever didn't go out and hang out in Manhattan in the late 70s and 1980s really missed out before it turned into Disneyland. Fun movie, all on location check it out.

A lot of it was filmed in times Square but a lot of it on the street corner was actually 2nd avenue and 13th Street up the block from the Palladium.