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Little Caesar
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by MGM (Warner)
Sales Rank: 23348
Price: $19.98
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Edward G. Robinson had a star-making vehicle in this 1930 film by Mervyn LeRoy (<I>Random Harvest</I>), about a small-time gangster who becomes a top boss in the underworld. As Rico Bandello, Robinson's portrayal is that of a certain kind of American success, when a successful rise to the top somehow throws open the doors on every neurotic element in one's personality and magnifies them. The film is creaky as early sound films were wont to be, but the actor's multidimensional role and ugly charisma keep everything interesting. <I>--Tom Keogh</I>
Viewer Reviews
The opening says that "Rico" was a product of Prohibition. Gangs existed before 1920 and merely added liquor distribution to their other lines of business. [No mention of the James or Younger gangs, or the Lincoln County war!] The film starts with a robbery. [We see Rico on a restaurant stool raised to make him taller.] Rico decides to move east for greater opportunities to climb his career ladder. Scenes show what a nightclub was like in those days. Peter Montana visits the Arnie Lorch gambling house to warn him about the new crime commission. They have to lay low and avoid gunplay.
This gang plans to knockover "The Bronze Peacock" and use Joe Massero as the insider front man. Sam Vitteri makes the plans, he alone is running the gang. McClure of the Crime Commission is celebrating New Year's Eve (in that place!). The robbery occurs when everyone is celebrating at midnight. Rico shoots McClure, who seems to be reaching for a gun. Now Boss Vitteri has a problem. Rico's personality ensures his promotion. He is "all right" for the rest of the gang. Tony wants to leave the gang, but only makes it to the church steps. Poor kid! They celebrate with a banquet for Rico. Newspaper reporters take his picture. [An omen of bad luck?]
Another gang decides to make a pre-emptive strike. Rico's luck holds; he decides to take over more responsibility when Arnie Lorch relocates to Detroit. When told his opponents are bigger men, Rico says "the bigger they are the harder they fall". Rico meets with the Big Boy and learns he will be given Pete Montana's territory. Will he meet this added responsibility? [Does this remind you of the feudal system? Noblesse d' epée.] There is a problem with some people and Rico tries and fails to tidy up this mess.
The police round up the Palermo gang and search for Rico, who escaped and went into hiding. [So who moved into this power vacuum?] A newspaper story upsets Rico and provokes him to make a call on the telephone; this is a fatal mistake. [You can guess how the film will end.] There is irony in that billboard in the last scene.
Historically, Caesar took power over the Roman ruling class. The Republic gave way to an Empire. Napoleon was a successful general who did the same thing. What is America's future?
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Little Caesar
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