{"id":43162,"date":"2019-03-26T11:47:10","date_gmt":"2019-03-26T18:47:10","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=43162"},"modified":"2020-11-28T11:06:52","modified_gmt":"2020-11-28T18:06:52","slug":"little-caesar-1931","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=43162","title":{"rendered":"Little Caesar (1931)"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>&#8220;Can&#8217;t you just forget about me?&#8221;<\/strong><\/p>\n<table>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/Little-Caesar-Poster.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/Little-Caesar-Poster-205x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"205\" height=\"300\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-43169\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/Little-Caesar-Poster-205x300.jpg 205w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/Little-Caesar-Poster-87x128.jpg 87w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/Little-Caesar-Poster.jpg 682w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 205px) 100vw, 205px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Synopsis:<\/strong><br \/>\nA small-time hood named Rico (Edward G. Robinson) rises to prominence as a gangster, but is frustrated when his best friend (Douglas Fairbanks, Jr.) chooses a life with his new dancing partner (Glenda Farrell) over crime.\n<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p>\n<strong>Genres, Themes, Actors, and Directors:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Douglas Fairbanks, Jr. Films<\/li>\n<li>Edward G. Robinson Films<\/li>\n<li>Gangsters<\/li>\n<li>Mervyn LeRoy Films<\/li>\n<li>Rise-and-Fall<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Response to Peary\u2019s Review: <\/strong><br \/>\nPeary writes that this &#8220;first of the sound gangster films&#8221; &#8212; directed  by Mervyn LeRoy &#8212; &#8220;is somewhat dated, but still has power, thanks to Edward G. Robinson&#8217;s performance as the vicious, swaggering braggart Enrico Bandello, who rises from two-bit hood to public enemy number one.&#8221; He notes that &#8220;Rico has no redeeming qualities, no economic or social reasons for having chosen a life of crime. He just lusts for power, fame (gangsters make headlines), territory (an essential element in gangster films) &#8212; he gets the coveted North Side &#8212; and money (the spoils of gang warfare) &#8212; like Caesar.&#8221; Most of Peary&#8217;s GFTFF review focuses on &#8220;the only person [Rico] has feelings for&#8221; &#8212; his &#8220;former partner, Douglas Fairbanks, Jr.&#8221; &#8212; noting that &#8220;their relationship is central to one interpretation of the film: Rico is a latent homosexual whose suppressed sexual aggression manifests itself in shooting men.&#8221; He concludes his review by noting that the &#8220;best scenes in the movie come at the end, when Rico has lost his power&#8221; and utters his &#8220;famous last words: &#8216;Mother of mercy, is this the end of Rico?'&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>Peary elaborates on his praise for Robinson&#8217;s performance in <em>Alternate Oscars<\/em>, where he names Robinson Best Actor of the Year  and notes, &#8220;Robinson is frightening as the swaggering, power-hungry Rico, not a character anyone would want to emulate. When he&#8217;s just a henchman, he scowls constantly, looks at everyone with sideways glances under a pulled-down hat, and is always snarling, talking back, or arguing&#8230; He uses his thumb when he talks, intimidatingly pointing it at others or thumping his chest like a dictator. Only when he becomes powerful is he cheerful, admiring himself in the mirror, getting his picture taken, combing his hair, having a banquet thrown in his honor, smoking cigars, wearing the outfit and pinky ring that a gangster he envied once wore.&#8221; However, when &#8220;Rico tumbles back to the gutter, he becomes a grotesque, primitive, slovenly figure.&#8221; Indeed Rico could be viewed as pure &#8220;id&#8221; &#8212; his character isn&#8217;t nuanced, but rather simply representative of Desire for Power. Fairbanks, Jr.&#8217;s role offers audiences an opportunity to see someone more human and humane, grappling with loyalty versus future goals; he&#8217;s fine in his supporting role, as is gutsy Farrell.  <\/p>\n<p><strong>Redeeming Qualities and Moments: <\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Edward G. Robinson as Rico<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/Little-Caesar-Robinson.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/Little-Caesar-Robinson-1024x777.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"486\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-43164\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/Little-Caesar-Robinson-1024x777.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/Little-Caesar-Robinson-128x97.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/Little-Caesar-Robinson-300x228.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/Little-Caesar-Robinson-768x582.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/Little-Caesar-Robinson.png 1424w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<li>Douglas Fairbanks, Jr. as Joe<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/Little-Caesar-Fairbanks.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/Little-Caesar-Fairbanks-1024x777.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"486\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-43167\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/Little-Caesar-Fairbanks-1024x777.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/Little-Caesar-Fairbanks-128x97.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/Little-Caesar-Fairbanks-300x228.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/Little-Caesar-Fairbanks-768x582.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/Little-Caesar-Fairbanks.png 1424w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<li>Glenda Farrell as Olga<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/Little-Caesar-Farrell.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/Little-Caesar-Farrell-1024x777.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"486\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-43168\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/Little-Caesar-Farrell-1024x777.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/Little-Caesar-Farrell-128x97.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/Little-Caesar-Farrell-300x228.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/Little-Caesar-Farrell-768x582.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/Little-Caesar-Farrell.png 1424w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<li>Atmospheric cinematography by Tony Gaudio<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/Little-Caesar-Cinematography.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/Little-Caesar-Cinematography-1024x777.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"486\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-43165\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/Little-Caesar-Cinematography-1024x777.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/Little-Caesar-Cinematography-128x97.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/Little-Caesar-Cinematography-300x228.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/Little-Caesar-Cinematography-768x582.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/Little-Caesar-Cinematography.png 1424w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Must See? <\/strong><br \/>\nYes, for its historical relevance and Robinson&#8217;s performance. <\/p>\n<p><strong>Categories<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?page_id=1784#historical\">Historically Relevant<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?page_id=1784#noteworthy\">Noteworthy Performance(s)<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p> (<span style=\"color:red;font-weight:bold;\">Listed in <a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-static\/1001Movies.htm\"><em>1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die<\/em><\/a><\/span>) <\/p>\n<p><strong>Links: <\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.imdb.com\/title\/tt0021079\/\">IMDb entry<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tvguide.com\/movies\/little-caesar\/review\/104379\/\">TV Guide Review<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dvdtalk.com\/dvdsavant\/s4176gang.html\">DVD Savant Review<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tcm.com\/tcmdb\/title\/81511\/little-caesar#articles-reviews?articleId=23978\">TCM Article<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&#8220;Can&#8217;t you just forget about me?&#8221; Synopsis: A small-time hood named Rico (Edward G. Robinson) rises to prominence as a gangster, but is frustrated when his best friend (Douglas Fairbanks, Jr.) chooses a life with his new dancing partner (Glenda Farrell) over crime. Genres, Themes, Actors, and Directors: Douglas Fairbanks, Jr. Films Edward G. Robinson Films Gangsters Mervyn LeRoy Films Rise-and-Fall Response to Peary\u2019s Review: Peary writes that this &#8220;first of the sound gangster films&#8221; &#8212; directed by Mervyn LeRoy&#8230;<\/p>\n<p class=\"read-more\"><a class=\"btn btn-default\" href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=43162\"> Read More<span class=\"screen-reader-text\">  Read More<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-43162","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-responses-to-peary"],"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/43162","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=43162"}],"version-history":[{"count":12,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/43162\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":55495,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/43162\/revisions\/55495"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=43162"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=43162"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=43162"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}