Little Caesar

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Little Caesar

Released Jan 3, 1931

1h 17m

Crime

Drama

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Popcornmeter

96%

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24 Reviews

75%

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5,000+ Ratings

An aspiring small-town criminal, Caesar "Rico" Bandello (Edward G. Robinson) relocates to Chicago to hit the big time, accompanied by his buddy, Joe Massara (Douglas Fairbanks Jr.). While Rico makes a name for himself in the underworld, Joe decides to leave the life of crime and ventures into show business, where he meets the lovely dancer Olga (Glenda Farrell). Though Rico and Joe try to honor their friendship, eventually their choices take them down dramatically different paths.

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Critics Consensus

Little Caesar achieves epic stature thanks to Edward G. Robinson's volcanic charisma, forging a template for the big-screen mobster archetype that's yet to be surpassed.

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SMH Staff

Sydney Morning Herald

Ed. G. Robinson gives an excellent character study of the scheming Rico, and an effective cast also includes Douglas Fairbanks, Jun., Stanley Fields, Ralph Ince, Glenda Faxrell, and Sidney Blackmer.

Jun 17, 2020

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Richard Brody

The New Yorker

LeRoy's coldly efficient direction-due less to his own artistry than to the constraints of sound recording in its first years-imposes a static rigor on the action and lends the actor's diction and gestures a sculptural, granitic force.

Sep 7, 2015

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Variety Staff

Variety

No director could ask for more than Edward G. Robinson's contribution. Here, no matter what he has to say, he's entirely convincing.

Oct 31, 2007

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E. L. Espectador

Cinelandia

The cast is well chosen for a movie of the class. [Full review in Spanish]

Sep 1, 2022

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Mike Massie

Gone With The Twins

This renowned classic is more memorable for Robinson's sensational performance than for the plot.

Rated: 6/10

Jul 27, 2020

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Dan Jardine

Cinemania

Edward G. Robinson's gravelly snarl and sociopathic disdain for human conventions became the template for countless future gangster anti-heroes

Rated: 76/100

Jul 4, 2013

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David F

The rise and fall of a gangster, Warner Bros.-style.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

05/01/24

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Steve D

Hard to care about anyone involved despite the talented cast.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

02/22/24

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Leaburn O

Edward Robinson made for a cracking gangster and owns the picture. Enjoyable, short, early gangster flick that set the tone for future films of the genre. Plot is fairly thin but it holds up over the short runtime.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

07/03/23

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Louisa E

I wasn't prepared to like this movie after watching The Public Enemy and loving it. But I enjoyed this movie quite a lot. The plot was fantastic. I liked the character of Rico, and there was a lot of character development and twists and turns. The acting was pretty good. Yes, I get irritated by Robinson's voice, but it's iconic and synonymous with gangsters now, so I put up with it. His acting was good, and I was also impressed with George E. Stone, who plays Otero. I've seen him in other movies without really registering he's in them, but I noticed him in this movie. Dougles Fairbanks Jr is also easy on the eye! There were some exciting cinematography choices with moving cameras and some interesting close-ups. It is one of the best movies for me regarding cinematography for the year.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

05/08/23

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Zachary V

Edward G. Robinson can really give James Cagney a run for his money for most convincing portrayal of a movie gangster; he's got that grim, slightly rubbery face that really got sent up in Dick Tracy (in fact, there's even a character named "Big Boy" in this movie). An enjoyable watch, though the promotional art suggested Little Caesar would be wielding a tommy gun, which he never does once in the film!

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/01/25

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Deke P

1930? or 1932? I've seen both years as premier of this classic. So old that it still had a few text messages on the screen, like in previous silent movies. Love this CLASSIC Robinson, gangster movie. Saw it again on tv 4.23.2022 , and again saw a good part of it on 3.11.24

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/11/24

Full Review

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Mervyn LeRoy

Director

Edward G. Robinson

Little Caesar

Douglas Fairbanks Jr.

Joe Massara

Glenda Farrell

Olga Stassoff

Stanley Fields

Sam Vettori

Sidney Blackmer

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Synopsis

An aspiring small-town criminal, Caesar "Rico" Bandello (Edward G. Robinson) relocates to Chicago to hit the big time, accompanied by his buddy, Joe Massara (Douglas Fairbanks Jr.). While Rico makes a name for himself in the underworld, Joe decides to leave the life of crime and ventures into show business, where he meets the lovely dancer Olga (Glenda Farrell). Though Rico and Joe try to honor their friendship, eventually their choices take them down dramatically different paths.

Director: Mervyn LeRoy
Screenwriter: Robert N. Lee
Production Co: First National Pictures
Genre: Crime, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jan 3, 1931, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 21, 2016
Runtime: 1h 17m

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