Cold-blooded murder, gang wars and explosions – was it a Hollywood production? No, it was the streets of Chicago during the 1920’s. The publics fascination with real crime and gangsters was a guilty pleasure that helped generate huge profits for Hollywood. What was happening on the streets during the 20’s would fuel the popularity of the crime and gangster movie genre in the 1930’s and 1940’s. So much so, that a new classification of movie emerged – film noir.
The history of the crime and gangster movie has its roots in the silent films of the early part of the 20th century. However, it wasn’t until the late 1920’s through the 30’s that these films became a bit more lifelike to moviegoers. The high-profile existence of actual gangsters, their crimes, and the amount of puplicity they received caused this movie genre to flourish. These included notorious names such as Al Capone and John Dillinger. Gangsters became as widely identifiable to the general public as presidents. On the movie screen, these characters were often portrayed as being money hungry, violent and inclined to shoot first and ask questions later. Film-goers loved it!
Starring – Edward G. Robinson (Little ‘Rico’ Caesar), Douglas Fairbanks, Jr. (Joe Massara), Glenda Farrell (Olga Stassoff).
Description – Historically, this is the film that started the ‘gangster genre’. It tells the story of small-time hood Caesar Enrico (Rico) Bandello who will stop at nothing to reach the top. Along with his friend Joe Massara they head for the big city – Chicago to make their fortune.
Gradually pushing his way to the top Rico, now known as ‘Little Caesar’ and Joe begin to take seperate paths. Joe has met a girl and has decided to pursue his dream of becoming a dancer. During a night-club robbery Rico murders the Crime Commissoner with Joe witnessing the killing.
Fearing Joe or his girlfriend Olga will betray him, Rico threatens Joe telling him to leave the girl and come back to a life of crime. Joe refuses, and with Olga’s influence betrays Rico. Now on the run and in hiding with the newspapers calling him a coward, Little Caesar returns with guns blazing.
NOTABLE: This motion picture received one Oscar nonimation for Best Writing, Adaptation.
In 2000 this film was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress.
The popular rumor at the time claimed that the character of Little Caesar was loosely based on gangster Al Capone. However, the character was actually based on Chicago gangster Salvatore “Sam” Cardinella.
Uncomfortable with guns, in one scene Edward G. Robinson had his eyes held open with tape to prevent them from closing when he fired his gun.
It has long been speculated that the federal anti-crime law – The Racketeering Influence Corrupt Organization Act, or RICO was based on Robinson’s character.
Warner Brothers set an all-time record attendance record for their studio with the weekend opening of this film.
Douglas Fairbanks, Jr.’s character was based on fellow actor George Raft who was believed to be associated with Owney Madden who organized New York City’s taxi racket.
This film as been rated #9 on the American Film Institute’s list of the 10 greatest films in the “Gangster” genre.
Personal Comment: I recently viewed this film again along with the others included in the Warner Bros. Gangster Collection Vol. 1. Although the films production value, and occassionally even the acting, may seem a little dated it is still a very enjoyable movie. It is an original and a must see for all ganster genre fans.
May, 1931 - Warner Brothers, fresh off the success of their gangster film Little Caesar starring Edward G. Robinson, has found a new star capable of effectively carrying both a gun and a film. James Cagney, a former vaudeville song-and-dance man, provided a dynamic performance as hoodlum Tom Powers in the Warner production of Public Enemy.
Originally slated to play the second lead to Edward Woods, it took only a few views of the daily rushes for Director William Wellman to realize Cagney was the better choice to play the snarling lead in this fast-paced portrait of the rise and fall of a vicious criminal.
Public Enemy, along with Little Caesar (1930) and Scarface (1932) opened the door to a whole new genre – the gangster film. This film made James Cagney a star and turned the grapefruit into an unlikely, but unforgettable, weapon. The final scene carries with it the perfect example for the old saying "crime does not pay."
