Little Caesar
"Little Caesar" is a 1931 film notable for its portrayal of the gangster genre during the Roaring Twenties. The film's main character, Rico Bandello, played by Edward G. Robinson, was inspired by the real-life gangster Salvatore "Sam" Cardinella, rather than the more widely associated Al Capone. Supporting characters also draw from Chicago's notorious criminal figures, including Pete Montana based on "Big Jim" Colosimo, and the corrupt mayor "Big Bill" Thompson represented by "Big Boy." Despite its simple narrative and low-budget production, the film is recognized for its authentic atmosphere, which resonates with audiences. "Little Caesar" achieved commercial success and was nominated for an Academy Award for its screenplay. It has been preserved in the National Film Registry, highlighting its cultural significance. The film played a pivotal role in advancing the careers of several key figures in Hollywood, including Robinson, who became a prominent star in gangster films, and others who would go on to shape the industry significantly.
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Little Caesar
Identification Early gangster film
Director Mervyn LeRoy
Date 1931
Although Little Caesar was not the first gangster film, it set the standard for the genre and has been imitated many times. Based on the 1928 novel of the same name by W. R. Burnett, Little Caesar launched the career of Edward G. Robinson, who played the title character.
Little Caesar’s title character, Rico Bandello (Robinson), was not based on gangster Al Capone, as has been widely reported, but rather on Salvatore “Sam” Cardinella, another Roaring Twenties Chicago gangster. Pete Montana (Ralph Ince) was modeled on “Big Jim” Colosimo, known as the “King of the Pimps,” and the “Big Boy” (Sidney Blackmer) was based upon corrupt Chicago mayor William H. “Big Bill” Thompson.
Little Caesar is technically primitive, has a linear and simple story, and does not feature graphic violence. However, its authenticity still attracts audiences, and its low-budget sets and sleazy atmosphere actually add to the film’s effectiveness.
The film was a major commercial success and was nominated for an Academy Award for the screenplay by Robert N. Lee and Francis Edwards Faragoh. It was selected for the National Film Registry in 2000.
Impact
This film advanced the careers of Robinson; Douglas Fairbanks, Jr., a member of the cast; Darryl F. Zanuck, head of production at Warner Bros.; Hal Wallis, the producer; and Mervyn LeRoy, the director. Robinson starred in additional gangster films and went on to appear in more than eighty motion pictures. Some critics consider him to be the best film actor never nominated for an Academy Award. Fairbanks escaped the shadow of his father, Douglas Fairbanks, Sr., a superstar during the silent-film era, and became a star in his own right. Zanuck became head of Twentieth Century-Fox. Wallis produced thirty additional films, including the Academy Award-winning Casablanca (1942). LeRoy produced or directed thirty more films and also served as head of production at both Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and Warner Bros.
Bibliography
Gansberg, Alan J. Little Caesar: A Biography of Edward G. Robinson. Lanham, Md.: Scarecrow Press, 2004.
Peary, Danny. Alternate Oscars. New York: Dell, 1993.
Roddick, Nick, ed. Encyclopedia of Great Movies. London: Octopus Books, 1985.