Line #15 Film/LittleCaesar


1	[[quoteright:300:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/poster_little_caesar_01.jpg]]
2	[[caption-width-right:300:Note: This film is not about [[JustForFun/IThoughtThatWas pizza pizza]].]]
3
4	->''"Mother of Mercy. Is this the end of Rico?''"
5
6	This classic crime film, directed by Creator/MervynLeRoy and released by Creator/WarnerBros in 1931, chronicles the rise and fall of a hardened criminal in [[TheRoaringTwenties Prohibition Era]] UsefulNotes/{{Chicago}}. The legendary Creator/EdwardGRobinson plays Caesar Enrico "Rico" Bandello, a small time crook that rises to the top of the big city underworld. He quickly comes to realize that nothing lasts forever.
7
8	StarMakingRole for Robinson, which also led to him being typecast in gangster roles for years after this. A TropeMaker for the gangster genre.
9
10	----
11	!!Tropes:
12	* AdaptationalSexuality: In the book, Rico was explicitly heterosexual. The film adds homosexual subtext.
13	* AntiHero: Rico is a brutal, murderous gangster, and the film makes no attempt to hide that fact.
14	* ArchEnemy: Rico to Sergeant Flaherty
15	* BadassInANiceSuit: Rico is a snappy dresser.
16	* BigBad: Rico is basically both the protagonist and the main villain of the film.
17	* CharacterTitle: "Little Caesar" is Rico's nickname.
18	* DamnItFeelsGoodToBeAGangster: Rico certainly seems to be having fun.
19	* DrowningHisSorrows: Rico, who doesn't drink at all for most of the film, drinks straight from the bottle at the flophouse, leading to his fatal RevengeBeforeReason moment.
20	* EstablishingCharacterMoment: In the first scene, Rico robs a gas station, killing the attendant.
21	* GanglandDriveBy: Tony gets shot like this after it seems like he's going to squeal on Rico.
22	* {{Gayngster}}: Rico never shows a hint of interest at any woman over the course of the film, but he's sure fond of and friendly with Joe. He gets angry and jealous when Joe starts a relationship with Olga. And when Joe finally chooses Olga over a life of crime, Rico decides to kill him--but Rico, who has been brutal and coldly evil throughout the whole film, suddenly starts getting upset and emotional at the prospect of murdering Joe. The HomoeroticSubtext is very thick. Then there's Otero, who practically worships Rico as a god and always looks at him in a fawning, admiring way that strongly suggests homoeroticism as well.
23	* GetItOverWith: Said when Rico tries to force Joe to join him.
24	-->'''Joe''': "Shoot, Rico, get it over with."
25	* GoshDangItToHeck: Rico's last words were originally meant to start "Mother of [[NeverSayDie God]]," but the line was vetoed by the censors.
26	* HomoeroticSubtext: It is not hard at all to interpret the film this way. Rico's lack of interest in women. Rico's obvious fondness for Joe and jealousy of Joe's relationship with Olga. Rico, who is usually very hard-boiled, being emotionally upset when faced with the necessity of killing Joe. Apparently the author of the source novel, who had no such intention, wrote a letter of protest to Warner Brothers. Otero's fawning admiration for Rico can also be seen this way.
27	* MinionWithAnFInEvil: Tony, one of Rico's goons, has an attack of conscience and tries to confess to a priest. Rico shoots him for it.
28	* NamesToRunAwayFromReallyFast: "Little Caesar" is a good name for a brutal, murderous crime lord.
29	* {{Narcissist}}: Rico. He's an egomaniac who is ruthlessly devoted to his own advancement.
30	* NewYearHasCome: The robbery of the nightclub takes place during the New Year's celebration.
31	* NoCelebritiesWereHarmed:
32	** Contrary to popular belief, Rico wasn't based on UsefulNotes/AlCapone. He was based on Salvatore "Sam" Cardinella, a violent Chicago gangster who operated in the early years of Prohibition.
33	** Joe Massara was based on actor George Raft, who was associated with Owney Madden, the man who organized the taxi racket in New York City.
34	** Diamond Pete Montana was modeled on Jim Colosimo, who was murdered under the orders of Johnny Torrio, Capone's mentor and predecessor; and "The Big Boy" was based on corrupt politician William 'Big Bill' Thompson, Mayor of Chicago.
35	* ResignationsNotAccepted: Rico refuses to let Joe leave the gangster life, deciding instead to kill him.
36	--> '''Joe''': You don't run out on a gang.
37	* RevengeBeforeReason: Rico so prideful and arrogant that after escaping from the police, he comes out of hiding when Sergeant Flaherty keeps calling him a coward in the newspaper. [[spoiler:This was Flaherty plan all along and this leads to Rico's death.]]
38	* RiseAndFallGangsterArc: Rico joins Sam Vettori's gang, quickly seizes control of the organization, and bests rival mob boss Little Arnie in a mob war, seizing control of Chicago's northside. However, Rico's impulsiveness, paranoia, and pride ultimately lead to the police crushing his organization, before Rico himself gets shot dead by a police officer.
39	* TheStarscream: Rico is this throughout the film, continually plotting to overthrow whoever he's working for. He supersedes Vettori through sheer alpha-male agression. He's plotting to overthrow the city crime boss (the "Big Boy") but his empire collapses before he gets the chance.
40	* SycophanticServant: Otero worships Rico. See Homoerotic Subtext above.
41	* ThirdPersonPerson: Rico has a habit of doing this, even when he's dying, as shown by his last words.
42	* TitleDrop: Rico's nickname.
43	* TriggerHappy: Before the nightclub robbery, Rico is specifically ordered not to shoot anyone, in order to avoid extra attention being focused on the mob. What does Rico do? Shoot someone. Whom does he shoot? The police commissioner.
44	* VerbalTic, see? Creator/EdwardGRobinson practically invented the stereotypical gangster voice.
45	** Became iconic enough that 80 years later, Walter from ''Film/TheMuppets2011'' imitated criminals by talking like that.
46	* VillainProtagonist: Rico, again, who is indisputably the protagonist and indisputably the villain, being a homicidal gangster.
47

Context Film / LittleCaesar