A number of gangster films have been released on 8mm, including happily the three most famous -
LITTLE CAESAR
PUBLIC ENEMY
SCARFACE
When released in the early 1930's in the cinema, these were to set the pattern of the gangster films to follow, bringing stardom to the lead players in roles, if somewhat loosely based, on notorious mobsters of the day. Scores of these films were produced and in many it was the garg3ter who was shown to have the most glamorous life, with big cars, flashy suits and gorgeous women.
The message 'crime doesn't pay' was always knocked home at the end of the picture, but this seemed to be an afterthought. The police and press made only brief appearances only to have their faces pushed in the dirt.
With such names as Al Capone, John Dillinger and Baby Face Nelson making the headlines and terrorising the streets of America, it wasn't long before the Hays office stepped in issuing a warning, and certain organisations threatened a boycott of gangster films.
By 1933 the tables had turned, and now the stories were being seen from the side of the police, the films being told through the eyes of the good guys, who fought the evils of the mobster. Though perhaps, some 40 odd years on, as with the "GODFATHER" films, the tables have turned yet again.
Edward G. Robinson Cesare Enrico 'Rico' Bandello Douglas Fairbanks Jr. Joe Massara Directed by Mervyn LeRoy
Edward G. Robinson with his
character 'Caesar Enrico Bandello' - Little Caesar for short, led the way in 1930 in this tale of the small
time crook who bullies, threatens and menaces his way to the top, and
is based loosely on the life of Al Capone.
After a short title sequence (not the original), the 8mm film opens on a hold-up at a garage. Rico and Joe (Fairbanks) sit in a cafe after the incident, Rico talking about moving out east, Joe about his passion of dancing.
Once in the 'big city', Rico joins a gang and Joe finds a job dancing at 'The Bronze Peacock' club. The gang bosses hold a meeting to discuss the head of the crime commission who is getting tough with them. Rico attempts to voice an opinion and is ejected from the room after a protest from 'Little Arnie'. After the meeting, Rico is ticked off by another mobster 'Diamond Pete'. Rico saying little admires Petes jewelry, something he later mimics.
The gang decide to do a job at 'The Bronze Peacock'- the head of the crime commission is there celebrating New Years Eve but leaves when he learns that the club belongs to 'Little Arne', on his way out he is shot dead by Rico who makes off with the cash from the club.
The gang boss, Sam, panics, and Rico announces that he is taking over the gang. 'Little Arnie' incensed by the theft at his club tries to have Rico killed, but fails and Rico tells him to leave town. Rico makes gains when. the 'Big Boy' calls and gives him a larger slice of the business, telling him that 'Diamond Pete' is finished and that Rico should take over his territory.
Rico tries to get Joe to help in a job, but he refuses and runs back to his girl followed by Rico, who tries to shoot Joe - a good shot here as Rico walks slowly into the camera a menacing look in his eyes, but Rico is unable to kill his one time friend, and with the arrival of a detective named Flariday has to leave by the fire escape. Joe's girl spills the beans about Rico to the police and they round up his gang, Rico himself managing to evade the police.
He becomes a drunk walking the streets, staying in doss houses. Flariday, taunts Rico in a series of newspaper articles and on hearing one of tFiese'readout Rico phones Flariday and vows to get him. The call is traced, and after an exchange of machine-gun fire Rico, lays dying utters his last words - "Mother Of Mercy, Is This The End Of Rico?".
A well edited 6 reeler, finished off with a 'The End' caption. Quite a good print - though some copy's are printed a bit off centre, and the sync does vary with the laminated stripe being a bit muffled in parts.
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Distributed in the UK by: Derann
Films. |
The above review was printed in Super Eight Film Review issue
12
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This page was last updated 02 Dec 2002
