Little Caesar

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Finn R Feb 25, 2019 In director Mervyn LeRoy's landmark crime thriller "Little Caesar," actor Edward G. Robinson typecast himself as a snarling, cigar-chomping, tough-guy gangster without a trace of compassion. Reportedly, the eponymous character that he portrayed was based on the real-life crime czar Al Capone. Robinson played variations on his gangster persona in subsequent films like the lightweight "A Slight Case of Murder" and the heavyweight "Key Largo." "Little Caesar" was based on W.R. Burnett's novel. This urban shoot'em up generated quite a bit of controversy when Warner Brothers released it. Some censors claimed the film served as a primer for hoodlums. Now, "Little Caesar" seems tame, even compared with other crime classics such as "The Public Enemy" and "Scarface." Although it was produced before the Production Code Administration acquired teeth to enforce its agenda in Hollywood, "Little Caesar" rarely depicts violence in all its savagery. We see Enrico "Rico" Bandello (Edward G. Robinson) blast innocent bystanders in two scenes. Never do we actually see him pull the trigger. LeRoy edited the action so the violence seems illusionary. In the opening scene, when our protagonist knocks over a gasoline station, he extinguishes the lights, plunging the place into darkness and then a couple of shots erupt. Later, at a night club, a similar incident occurs when Rico blasts Crime Commissioner McClure without realizing who he is shooting. He believes the crime commissioner is reaching to a piece when he blasts him. Nevertheless, all we see is the crime commissioner writhing in agony from Rico's bullets. Even when the violence occurs against Rico, we see no physical manifestation of it. Rico is walking along a city street in broad daylight when a milk wagon cruises past and a fusillade of lead slugs pours out of it and wounds our protagonist. We are never shown the gangsters inside firing the machine gun. The Code expressly forbade scenes of gangsters wielding machine guns because it glamorized the hoods. Basically, "Little Caesar" chronicles the rise and fall of Enrico "Rico" Bandello. Rico and his best friend Joe Massara (Douglas Fairbanks, Jr.) are robbing gas stations in the sticks when Rico decides to clear out for the bright lights of the big city. A newspaper article about Diamond Pete Montana as the guest of honor at an underworld banquet catches Rico's eyes. Secretly, Rico dreams of being like Pete. Rico assures Joe, "I could do all the things that fella does, and more, only I never got my chance. Why, what's there to be afraid of?" Rico and Joe head off to the big city. Rico joins Sam Vettori's mob. Meanwhile, Joe lands a dancing job at the Bronze Peacock gambling club. As it turns out, Rico couldn't have chosen a worst time to join Sam's outfit.. Sam clamors about gun violence and urges his men to exercise self-discipline in the face of provocation. Rico doesn't espouse Sam's ideology. He states, "And when I get in a tight spot, I shoot my way out of it. Why sure. Shoot first and argue afterwords. You know, this game ain't for guys that's soft!" "If anybody turns yellow and squeals, my gun's going to speak its peace." Rico is both fearless but reckless. Rico creates chaos when he guns down Crime Commissioner McClure (Landers Stevens) as the latter appears to be procuring a pistol at the New Years' Eve celebrations at The Bronze Peacock. Not only does Rico kill the commissioner, but he also usurps his boss Sam after the job. Rico has nothing but contempt for Sam. "Sam, you can dish it out, but you're getting so you can't take it no more. You're through." Afterward, Rico's rise is meteoric. Along the way, after he topples Sam and the Big Boy gives him a boost up the ladder. Before long Rico has changes is residence and now it resembles the sumptuous interior of the Big Boy's office. Before long Rico is so big that the opposition tries to rub him out as he strolls down the street. Miraculously, the gunmen riding in a milk wagon try to strafe Rico into stitches with a machine gun. Robinson's performance is superb, and Mervyn LeRoy never allows "Little Caesar" to bog down. Ultimately, "Little Caesar" is a classic. See more

Anakin R Nov 7, 2018 This may have been interesting in 1931, but almost 90 years on, the lousy acting of a lousy script is incredibly disapointing. Don't waste your time! See more

Abraham S Apr 29, 2018 Enjoyable in parts, Ricco giving Massara the ultimatum felt current and relatable to modern movies! Movie making has obviously moved on since 1931, the short run time struggles to hold up a weighty plot and some of the support acting is weak! The main characters produce the stand out performances! See more

Finn M Mar 30, 2018 Critics and historians seem to hold .this movie in high regard. The best part is Edward G. Robinson's performance.

Leia W Jul 5, 2017 Very basic by todays standards.  I Noticed some elements that were obvious inspirations for future gangster flicks, and it wasn't boring to say the least.  The performances were okay, albeit over-dramatic at times.  A lot of the movie consists of tough talk between the organized criminals, with a surprisingly small amount of violence.  The titular "Caeser" is a caricature with almost no character development, if I'm to be honest.  In the end it's not bad, and it's an admirable pioneer for its genre, but ultimately it's nothing special. See more

Luke S Mar 27, 2017 Educational, but I don't need to see it again. 1001 movies to see before you die.

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Little Caesar

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