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
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Quotes from
Caesar Enrico Bandello: You can dish it out, but you got so you can't take it no more.
Joe Massara:: We're in love with one another. Don't that mean nothing?
Caesar Enrico Bandello: Nothing. Less than nothing. Love. Soft stuff!
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Facts about
Producer Hal B. Wallis originally auditioned Edward G. Robinson for the supporting role of Otero (played in the film by George E. Stone) before deciding he was perfect as Rico.
There were two versions of Rico's final words filmed, "Mother of God, is this the end of Rico?" and "Mother of mercy, is this the end of Rico?" Although "Mother of God" was taken directly from W.R. Burnett's novel, it was decided the line was potentially blasphemous coming from a murderous gangster and "mother of mercy" was used instead.
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