Little Caesar 1931 Trailer Little Caesar is a 1931 Warner Bros. Pre-Code crime film. It tells the story of a young man who ascends the ranks of organized crime until he reaches its upper echelons. Directed by Mervyn LeRoy, the film stars Edward G. Robinson, Douglas Fairbanks, Jr. and Glenda Farrell. The story was adapted by Francis Edward Faragoh, Robert N. Lee, Robert Lord and Darryl F. Zanuck (uncredited) from the novel by William R. Burnett. Little Caesar was Robinson's breakout movie; it catapulted him to stardom. Plot: Small-time criminal Caesar Enrico Bandello, better known as "Rico", (Edward G. Robinson), and his friend, Joe Massara (Douglas Fairbanks, Jr.), move to Chicago to seek their fortune. Together, they join the gang of Sam Vettori (Stanley Fields), but Joe, who wants to be a dancer, is more interested in fame and women. He eventually meets Olga (Glenda Farrell) and drifts away from the gang and its activities.. Rico, meanwhile, quickly relishes the criminal life and seizes control of the Sam's organization. He then proceeds to push his way to the top of Chicago's crime syndicate. In time, Rico becomes concerned that Joe will betray him. He warns Joe that he must forget about Olga and attempts to force him back into a life of crime. Rico threatens to kill both Joe and Olga unless Joe accedes, but ultimately Rico is not able to bring himself to take his friend's life. Rico is finally pushed from his throne when Olga informs on him to the police after one of ...