Gangster Movies: (ca. 1931) With Little Caesar and Public Enemy (1931) Warner Brothers established themselves as the Studio that could produce topnotch, gritty crime dramas. The reputation was well deserved and the films were appreciated by movie viewers already enthralled by the headline exploits of real life Depression desperadoes. This film was the first of “the big three” (along with Public Enemy and Scarface) that provided the blueprint for the modern gangster movie.

In Little Caesar, Edward G. Robinson made a tremendous impact in this star-making saga of a thoroughly detestable little man who bandies his way through society’s underbelly for a short time until fate brings him his just reward. The evil spawn of a deplorable age, Rico cares for neither booze nor dames, only pure raw power. Even loyalty & friendship are weaknesses to be deplored since no one can be ultimately trusted. Robinson is fascinating as a cheap thug in expensive suits, a moral nonentity with a big gun.

Douglas Fairbanks Jr does a fine job with what little the script gives him as Rico’s longtime buddy; the bland nature of his performance contrasts nicely to Robinson’s florid acting style. Glenda Farrell turns in a wonderful performance as Fairbanks’ girlfriend; this talented actress would soon become one of Hollywood’s premiere tough talking brassy blonds.

Stanley Fields, Sidney Blackmer & George E. Stone all deliver vivid portraits of crooks & criminals that Rico must intimidate or use. Special mention should be made of William Collier Jr who gives a touching portrayal as the mob’s getaway driver who loses his nerve and attempts to go straight. Movie mavens will recognize an unbilled Lucille La Verne as the old crone who intimidates Rico near the end of the picture.

Speculation has it that a federal anti-organized crime law: The Racketeering Influence Corrupt Organization Act, or RICO, got its acronym from Edward G. Robinson’s character.

The character of Cesare Enrico Bandello is not, as widely believed, based on Al Capone. Instead, he is based on Salvatore “Sam” Cardinella, a violent Chicago gangster who operated in the early years of Prohibition.

The character Diamond Pete Montana was modeled on Big Jim Colisimo, who was murdered by Al Capone; and “The Big Boy” was based on corrupt politician Big Bill Thompson, Mayor of Chicago. The underworld banquet sequence was also based on a real event: a notorious party in honor of two gangsters, Dion “Deanie” O’Bannion and Samuel J. “Nails” Morton, which received unfavorable coverage in the Chicago press.