Little Caesar (1931)

A pugnacious and arrogant hoodlum (Edward G. Robinson) with a massive chip on his shoulder has few friends and no sense of underworld diplomacy. But his ambition leads him to climb the ranks of organized crime until he reaches the top. But how long will he stay there? Based on the novel by W.R. Burnett (THE ASPHALT JUNGLE) and directed by Mervyn LeRoy (QUO VADIS). Brutal and gritty, this was the movie that made Robinson a star and forever associated with him. Robinson didn't have movie star looks but he held the screen with authority for over 40 years. As far as gangster movies go, this pre code drama is one of the best though it's inconceivable to think of the film without Robinson's commanding performance. With Douglas Fairbanks Jr., Glenda Farrell, Sidney Blackmer and Ralph Ince.