"Taxi" The Apartment (1979)

Director:

James Burrows

Writers:

James L. Brooks (creator) &
Stan Daniels (creator) ...
(more)

TV Series:

"Taxi" (1978)

Original Air Date:

13 November 1979 (Season 2, Episode 9)

Genre:

Comedy

Plot:

After his apartment complex is torn down, Latka unknowingly signs a lease to live in a luxurious penthouse for $3,000/month...

Plot Keywords:

New York | New York City | City | Taxi | Single Mother

Cast

Judd Hirsch	...	Alex Reiger
Jeff Conaway	...	Bobby Wheeler
Danny DeVito	...	Louie De Palma
Marilu Henner	...	Elaine O'Connor-Nardo
Tony Danza	...	Tony Banta
Andy Kaufman	...	Latka Gravas
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Dick Butkus	...	Party Guy
Nancy Steen	...	Maid
J. Alan Thomas	...	Jeff Bennett

Directed by
James Burrows

Writing credits
James L. Brooks		(creator) &
Stan Daniels		(creator) &
David Davis		(creator) &
Ed. Weinberger		(creator)
Barry Rubinowitz		(written by)

Produced by
James L. Brooks	....	executive producer
Glen Charles	....	producer
Les Charles	....	producer
Stan Daniels	....	executive producer
Richard Sakai	....	associate producer
Ed. Weinberger	....	executive producer

Original Music by
Bob James

Cinematography by
Edward E. Nugent		(director of photography)

Film Editing by
M. Pam Blumenthal

Casting by
Susan Arnold

Art Direction by
Mary Dodson

Set Decoration by
Fred S. Winston

Makeup Department
Jerry Cash	....	makeup artist

Production Management
Ronald E. Frazier	....	executive in charge of production
Gregg Peters	....	unit production manager

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Stewart Lyons	....	first assistant director
Carlo U. Quinterio	....	second assistant director

Art Department
Bob Fox	....	stand-by painter

Sound Department
James R. Wright	....	production sound mixer (as Jim Wright)

Camera and Electrical Department
Val O'Malley	....	camera operator (uncredited)

Casting Department
Joel Thurm	....	original casting

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Sharon Day	....	costumer: Marilu Henner
Ralph T. Schlain	....	costumer

Other crew
James L. Brooks	....	executive consultant
Judi Brown	....	script supervisor
Matthew Carlson	....	assistant: Mr. Daniels
Robin Chambers	....	talent coordinator
Gil Clasen	....	technical coordinator
David Davis	....	title visualization
Ken Estin	....	program consultant
Barry Kemp	....	executive script consultant
Dixie Reinhardt	....	assistant: Mr. Daniels
Donna Wheeler	....	assistant: Mr. Daniels
H. Adele Woodson	....	assistant: Mr. Daniels

Writing credits (in alphabetical order)
James L. Brooks		creator
Stan Daniels		creator
David Davis		creator
Ed. Weinberger		creator

Produced by
Robin Green	....	associate producer

Other crew
Edward Neumeier	....	production assistant

Production Companies

• John-Charles-Walters Productions
• Paramount Television

Distributors

• American Broadcasting Company (ABC) (1979) (USA) (TV)
• Paramount Home Entertainment (2005) (USA) (DVD)

Other Companies

• Checker Motor  taxis provided by
• Ed Norton Music Service  music and sound effects (as Ed Norton Music, Inc.)
• Freeze Frame  opticals
• Glen Glenn Sound Company  recorded by (as Glen Glenn Sound)

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Filming Locations:

Paramount Studios - 5555 Melrose Avenue, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

John-Charles-Walters Productions

Quotes:

Elaine O'Connor-Nardo:Thanks so much Latka for sharing this with us.
Latka Gravas:You known in my country everyone shares with everyone.
Elaine O'Connor-Nardo:Oh that's beautiful.
Latka Gravas:Otherwise they shoot you.

Movie Connections:

References The Apartment (1960)

No More 'Nik-Nik' & Penthouse

*** This review may contain spoilers ***

"Latka" (Andy Kauffman) living in a $3,000-a-month apartment? (It's probably at least $10,000 in today's world). Well, that's what happens here....but only for a month, of course, since that is Latka's life savings.

How this came about, and how Latka shares this amazing place, complete with maid, panoramic view, portable bar and a ton of other amenities all adds up to the normal amount of good laughs.

However, there is no real ending to this except we assume Latka is presumably booted out after a month. There where does he live? None of this is addressed in this episode, just the guys hanging out in Latka's luxury penthouse and then a last-minute idea on how to raise money so he can stay there at least another month. The plan is as dumb as Tony and doesn't work, of course.

It seems the gang enjoys the place even more than Latka, except for a little "Nik-Nik" our host gets from the willing maid!

Notes: an opening-scene gag is there to demonstrate how stupid poor "Tony" is, as the likable cabbie thinks he just had astronaut Neil Armstrong in his case, and has the moon rock to prove it.......Football star Dick Butkus - with blonde hair! - guest-stars near the end of the show......Nancy Steen, who plays the maid, turned out to be a successful writer/producer more than an actress.