THE LITTLE GIANT (First National Pictures, 1933), directed by Roy Del Ruth, with original screenplay by Robert Lord and Wilson Mizner, stars Edward G. Robinson in his first movie comedy. Best known in playing tough guys in gangster roles, Robinson does a parody of his screen image in straight comic touch. Though his later gangster comedies as A SLIGHT CASE OF MURDER (1938) and LARCENY, INC. (1942) were hilarious to say the least, THE LITTLE GIANT is Robinson in rare form without losing his dignity.
Following the opening credits to underscoring of "Chicago, Chicago, It's a Wonderful Town," the story fades in with calendar dating Election Day, November 8, 1932, where it is radio announced that Governor Franklin D. Roosevelt wins the presidency of the United States against Herbert Hoover in a landslide. It also marks a new beginning for America, and the end of the Prohibition era. At the Little Giant Social Club in Chicago is James Francis Ahearn, better known as Bugs (Edward G. Robinson), a tough beer baron, who decides pn going straight, paying off his mobster associates, including girlfriend, Edith Merriam (Shirley Grey) with a check for $25,000. and getting some culture in high society. Al Daniels (Russell Hopton), his best friend since boyhood and reform school days, remains with Bugs, with their next venture heading for Santa Barbara, California. Before their departure, Bugs pays a visit to his rival gang boss, Joe Pulido (Harry Tenbrook) to let him know he is leaving town and not being forced out of town. Registering at the Biltmore Hotel, Bugs and Al soon realize they don't fit in the social circle as the find themselves rudely ignored by the social elites. Bugs falls immediately in love with Polly Cass (Helen Vinson), a society girl, and through her decides to forget his next venture to San Francisco and make her acquaintance. Overhearing Ahearn is a millionaire in good standing by her deadbeat brother, Gordon (Donald Dillaway), Polly plays up to Bugs' affections while still carrying on a romance with John Stanley (Kenneth Thomson). To make further impression on the Polly's family, including business tycoon father, Donald Hadley Cass (Berton CHurchill) and his wife (Louise MacIntosch), Bugs rents a mansion from Ruth Wayburn (Mary Astor), a real estate agent, who, unknown to him, leases her home and servants in order to earn the money to pay off her deceased father's debts. After proposing to Polly and buying her father's Cass Bond Investment Company, Bugs learns from Ruth his financial error and the true facts about the Cass family, especially Polly, who has made a fool out him. Others in the cast consist of gangster character types as Dewey Robinson, Tammany Young, John Kelly and Ben Taggart, along with Helen Mann (Frankie), Leonard Carey (Inglesby, the butler) and Charles Coleman in smaller roles.
With several movies bearing the title of THE LITTLE GIANT, ranging from the Universal 1926 release featuring Glenn Hunter, and the 1946 comedy-drama simply titled LITTLE GIANT starring the comedy team of Bud Abbott and Lou Costello, this THE LITTLE GIANT is fun-filled 76 minute comedy, especially for Robinson fans. Memorable scenes include Robinson's venture in a polo match with the society swells, and his tender moment rehearsal love making with Mary Astor. Helen Vinson, in a role that might have gone to Claire Dodd, who specialized in playing cheating and conniving blondes, is convincing here as is Mary Astor as the former society girl trying to smarten up the ex-mobster from the clutches of the Cass family. Of all its cast members, naturally both Robinson and the frequent underscoring to "Chicago" get honorable mentions.
Distributed only on DVD, THE LITTLE GIANT did enjoy frequent commercial television broadcasts decades ago, ranging from Philadelphia's WPHL, Channel 17, and later WTAF, Channel 29, in the 1970s, to New York City's WNEW, Channel 5 (1978-1983) before becoming available in recent years on cable television's Turner Classic Movies (1994-present). Robinson may sure live up to his movie title as being little, but certainly has become one of cinema's giant as movie tough guys go. (***)
Following the opening credits to underscoring of "Chicago, Chicago, It's a Wonderful Town," the story fades in with calendar dating Election Day, November 8, 1932, where it is radio announced that Governor Franklin D. Roosevelt wins the presidency of the United States against Herbert Hoover in a landslide. It also marks a new beginning for America, and the end of the Prohibition era. At the Little Giant Social Club in Chicago is James Francis Ahearn, better known as Bugs (Edward G. Robinson), a tough beer baron, who decides pn going straight, paying off his mobster associates, including girlfriend, Edith Merriam (Shirley Grey) with a check for $25,000. and getting some culture in high society. Al Daniels (Russell Hopton), his best friend since boyhood and reform school days, remains with Bugs, with their next venture heading for Santa Barbara, California. Before their departure, Bugs pays a visit to his rival gang boss, Joe Pulido (Harry Tenbrook) to let him know he is leaving town and not being forced out of town. Registering at the Biltmore Hotel, Bugs and Al soon realize they don't fit in the social circle as the find themselves rudely ignored by the social elites. Bugs falls immediately in love with Polly Cass (Helen Vinson), a society girl, and through her decides to forget his next venture to San Francisco and make her acquaintance. Overhearing Ahearn is a millionaire in good standing by her deadbeat brother, Gordon (Donald Dillaway), Polly plays up to Bugs' affections while still carrying on a romance with John Stanley (Kenneth Thomson). To make further impression on the Polly's family, including business tycoon father, Donald Hadley Cass (Berton CHurchill) and his wife (Louise MacIntosch), Bugs rents a mansion from Ruth Wayburn (Mary Astor), a real estate agent, who, unknown to him, leases her home and servants in order to earn the money to pay off her deceased father's debts. After proposing to Polly and buying her father's Cass Bond Investment Company, Bugs learns from Ruth his financial error and the true facts about the Cass family, especially Polly, who has made a fool out him. Others in the cast consist of gangster character types as Dewey Robinson, Tammany Young, John Kelly and Ben Taggart, along with Helen Mann (Frankie), Leonard Carey (Inglesby, the butler) and Charles Coleman in smaller roles.
With several movies bearing the title of THE LITTLE GIANT, ranging from the Universal 1926 release featuring Glenn Hunter, and the 1946 comedy-drama simply titled LITTLE GIANT starring the comedy team of Bud Abbott and Lou Costello, this THE LITTLE GIANT is fun-filled 76 minute comedy, especially for Robinson fans. Memorable scenes include Robinson's venture in a polo match with the society swells, and his tender moment rehearsal love making with Mary Astor. Helen Vinson, in a role that might have gone to Claire Dodd, who specialized in playing cheating and conniving blondes, is convincing here as is Mary Astor as the former society girl trying to smarten up the ex-mobster from the clutches of the Cass family. Of all its cast members, naturally both Robinson and the frequent underscoring to "Chicago" get honorable mentions.
Distributed only on DVD, THE LITTLE GIANT did enjoy frequent commercial television broadcasts decades ago, ranging from Philadelphia's WPHL, Channel 17, and later WTAF, Channel 29, in the 1970s, to New York City's WNEW, Channel 5 (1978-1983) before becoming available in recent years on cable television's Turner Classic Movies (1994-present). Robinson may sure live up to his movie title as being little, but certainly has become one of cinema's giant as movie tough guys go. (***)