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).

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Little Caesar was inducted into the National Film Registry in 2000.

Academy Awards 1930/31 --- Ceremony Number 4 (source: AMPAS)

AwardRecipientResult
Best WritingFrancis Faragoh, Robert N. LeeNominated
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BlogHub Articles:

Little Caesar (1931)

By 4 Star Film Fan on Jun 2, 2019 From 4 Star Films

When 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 Blog

image 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 Blog

image 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: Sam is through. Now you're through too.


Caesar Enrico Bandello: I don't need no cannon to take care of guys like you, Mr. Lorch.


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

Ranked #9 on the American Film Institute's list of the 10 greatest films in the genre "Gangster" in June 2008.
In one scene, Edward G. Robinson had to fire a pistol while facing the camera. Try as he might, he was unable to keep his eyes open each time he pulled the trigger. The problem was eventually solved by having Robinson's eyes held open with cellophane tape.
The character of Joe Massara was based on actor George Raft, who was associated with Owney Madden, the man who organized the taxi racket in New York City.
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Best Writing Oscar 1930/31











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National Film Registry

Little Caesar

Released 1931
Inducted 2000
(Sound)




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Also directed by Mervyn LeRoy




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Also produced by Hal B. Wallis




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Also released in 1931




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