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Little Caesar

Play trailer Poster for Little Caesar 1931 1h 17m Crime Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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96% Tomatometer 26 Reviews 75% Popcornmeter 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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Little Caesar

Little Caesar

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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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Critics Reviews

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SMH Staff Sydney Morning Herald Jun 17, 2020
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. Go to Full Review Richard Brody The New Yorker Sep 7, 2015
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. Go to Full Review Variety Staff Variety Oct 31, 2007
No director could ask for more than Edward G. Robinson's contribution. Here, no matter what he has to say, he's entirely convincing. Go to Full Review Matt Brunson Film Frenzy Jul 28, 2025
3.5/4
Edward G. Robinson’s sensational performance in his star-making role has never lost any of its power. Go to Full Review Nick Rogers Midwest Film Journal Jul 22, 2025
3.5/5
For all the imitations, Edward G. Robinson's performance remains a lightning rod of overt menace, quietly lethal expressions & stealthily sympathetic moments. The rest of "Little Caesar" is perhaps more historically important than unforgettably historic. Go to Full Review E. L. Espectador Cinelandia Sep 1, 2022
The cast is well chosen for a movie of the class. [Full review in Spanish] Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Kyle M @RT77296778 Sep 22, 2025 May come off as influential plus with a nice morally conflicting touch as its only angle but overall didn’t age well enough to be worthily considered amongst the classics between the unsympathetic characterization and pitiful convictions. (B-) See more David F @dfulmer May 1, 2024 The rise and fall of a gangster, Warner Bros.-style. See more Steve D @RT35616104 Feb 22, 2024 Hard to care about anyone involved despite the talented cast. See more Leaburn O @RT35452347 Jul 3, 2023 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. See more Zachary V @RT80629691 Nov 10, 2022 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! See more Deke P @RT96675217 Apr 23, 2022 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 See more Read all reviews
Little Caesar

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Cast & Crew

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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

Big Boy

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Little Caesar

Little Caesar (1930) Little Caesar (1930) Little Caesar (1930) View more photos

Movie Info

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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