Stop That Cab (1951)

Directed by Eugenio de Liguoro and released by Lippert Pictures, Stop That Cab is a brisk, low-budget comedy that follows the chaotic life of a Los Angeles cab driver trying to survive both his unpredictable passengers and his even more volatile home life. With a runtime of just 58 minutes, the film was designed as a second feature and later re-edited for television syndication.

Plot Summary
Sidney Gugenheimer (Sid Melton) drives the night shift, ferrying an endless stream of eccentrics, hustlers, and heartbreakers through the streets of L.A. His cab becomes a rolling confessional, a boxing ring, and sometimes a battlefield. But the real challenge begins when he clocks out: his wife Lucy (Iris Adrian) is loud, demanding, and perpetually dissatisfied. As Sidney juggles work stress and domestic chaos, he dreams of peace—but the meter keeps running.

Cast Highlights

• Sid Melton as Sidney Gugenheimer
• Iris Adrian as Lucy
• Marjorie Lord as Mary Thomas
• Tom Neal as Lefty
• William Haade, Greg McClure, and Chester Clute in supporting roles
• Minerva Urecal and Renata Vanni as Lucy’s parents
• Mario Siletti and Jack Roper round out the colorful ensemble

Behind-the-Scenes Trivia

• The film was later trimmed to under 30 minutes and sold to TV as part of a syndicated half-hour comedy package
• Produced by Spartan Productions, it was part of Lippert’s push to create fast, affordable entertainment for postwar audiences
• The tagline promoted it as “The whacky hacky with a meter that registered Laffs only!”—a nod to its slapstick tone
• Sid Melton and Iris Adrian’s chemistry was praised in early reviews for its comic timing and exaggerated domestic squabbles