Little Caesar (1931)

 Mervyn LeRoy's "Little Caesar"


Despite Josef von Sternberg initiating the 'gangster flick' with his 1928 silent film "Underworld," it was Mervyn LeRoy's pre-code sound film "Little Caesar" that many consider the first fully-fledged of the genre. That is to say: it was the first to have all the aesthetics and story structure of the gangster flick formula. The film was based on the novel of the same name by William R. Burnett, which was in turn based on real-life Mafia boss Salvatore Maranzano. 

The plot of "Little Caesar" is relatively simple. Small time criminal Rico Bandello moves to Chicago and joins in a gang to make some money. Through the operation of the gang, he eventually moves his way up. Eventually, he becomes a leader of his own gang and is eventually taken down in the end.

Personally, I do not find any interest in the 1930s gangster film genre. I tend to find the genre to be lacking in any artistic appeal. Rather, it is far more commercial affair. Even from the same year, 1931, I find William A. Wellman's "The Public Enemy" to be a more interesting film. Despite this, "Little Caesar" does have a standout performance from legendary actor Edward G. Robinson, who would go on to enormous successes of his own after the success of this film. Personally, I feel that "Little Caesar" is a great film to have on in the background. Its aesthetics are more interesting than its plot or substance.



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