Little Caesar (1931) | |
| Director(s) | Mervyn LeRoy |
| Producer(s) | Hal B. Wallis (uncredited), Darryl F. Zanuck (uncredited) |
| Top Genres | Crime, Drama |
| Top Topics | Book-Based, Gangsters, Pre-Code Cinema |
Featured Cast:
Little Caesar Overview:
Little Caesar (1931) was a Crime - Drama Film directed by Mervyn LeRoy and produced by Hal B. Wallis and Darryl F. Zanuck.
The film was based on the novel of the same name written by W.R. Burnett published in 1924.
SYNOPSIS
This role made Robinson a star and set the standard for the innumerable Warner gangster pics that followed. The familiar story (based loosely on the career of Al Capone) follows the rise of Rico Bandello from street tough to emperor of gangland - and his equally rapid fall from power. Robinson's two-fisted performance and trademark delivery, see, erased memories of his 15-year career on Broadway and made it hard for Hollywood to see him as anything but a ruthless mobster for years.
(Source: available at Amazon AMC Classic Movie Companion).
.Little Caesar was inducted into the National Film Registry in 2000.
Academy Awards 1930/31 --- Ceremony Number 4 (source: AMPAS)
| Award | Recipient | Result |
| Best Writing | Francis Faragoh, Robert N. Lee | Nominated |
BlogHub Articles:
Little Caesar (1931)
By 4 Star Film Fan on Jun 2, 2019 From 4 Star FilmsWhen I was a kid we had an old VHS of Bugs Bunny shorts and one of the caricatures in a gangster-themed storyline — although I didn’t know it at the time — was undoubtedly Edward G. Robinson. That voice. That mug. That smug self-assuredness. They’re inimitable. Even then I kn... Read full article
Little Caesar (1931)
By Raquel Stecher on Feb 18, 2013 From Out of the Past - A Classic Film Blogimage source Little Caesar (1931) is one of the original gangster films and influenced the movies in that genre that were to come. It was directed by Mervyn LeRoy and based on a novel by W. R. Burnett. Edward G. Robinson stars as Little Caesar aka Rico, a small time gangster looking to make it bi... Read full article
Little Caesar (1931)
By Raquel Stecher on Nov 30, -0001 From Out of the Past - A Classic Film Blogimage source Little Caesar (1931) is one of the original gangster films and influenced the movies in that genre that were to come. It was directed by Mervyn LeRoy and based on a novel by W. R. Burnett. Edward G. Robinson stars as Little Caesar aka Rico, a small time gangster looking to make it bi... Read full article
See all Little Caesar articles
Quotes from
Caesar Enrico Bandello: This is Rico speaking. Rico! R-I-C-O! Rico! Little Caesar, that's who! Listen, you crummy, flat-footed copper, I'll show you whether I've lost my nerve and my brains!
Caesar Enrico Bandello: If you ain't out of town by tomorrow morning... you won't ever leave it except in a pine box.
read more quotes from Little Caesar...
Facts about
Clark Gable was originally considered for the part of Joe Massara, but Jack L. Warner decided that Gable's ears were too big, and the role went to Douglas Fairbanks Jr. instead. Gable ultimately signed with MGM, where he would become one of the biggest stars in Hollywood history.
The opening weekend of this film's release broke the all-time attendance record for Warner Bros.' Strand Theatre in New York, grossing $50,000 in eleven performances. Both Edward G. Robinson and Douglas Fairbanks Jr. made personal appearances at the New York premiere, for which the top ticket prices were two dollars.
read more facts about Little Caesar...
