Scott LeBrun 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.

videorama-759-859391 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.

Woodyanders 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.

movieman_kev 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 toplessWhere I Saw It: Showtime Extreme My Grade: C