Violence In 'Little Caesar And Scarface'

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The movies of the 30’s wanted to cash in on the heydey of the jazz era. Smooth talkers, easy money, lavish lives brought in box office cash. The true life events that were occurring during that time, like Al Capone and organized crime also aided in the inspiration for these new gangster films. The films “Little Caesar and “Scarface” were examples of what the film industry was bringing to the screen as depictions of the gangster life. Even though today they are mild in content and violence, these two films pushed the limits on the Hays Code in 1931 and 1932. They also were the driving force for Hollywood to be forced into self-censorship. Both “Little Caesar” and “Scarface” did this by exalting the gangster conduct, adding risky dress with sexual innuendos, and pushing the violence envelope. Without doubt, in “Little Caesar” and “Scarface” made the gangster life attractive to moviegoers. They depicted these thugs as the poverty stricken underdogs who make big in the criminal world. In “Little Caesar”, Caesar Enrico (Rico), the main character achieves respect as he crushes the competition. …show more content…
This raised questions of how viewers would also see the excitement in the gangster arena. The violent scenes were even too much for the Hays Code who because of the violence in “Scarface”, tried to stop it’s release. Over twenty eight people alone were shown being killed in this picture. There was concern too with the humor attached to the shootings. In “Scarface”, Tony sidekick, Angela is seen fumbling with a phone call while dodging bullets. The scene plays out like a Laurel and Hardy skit, without Angela being touched by one bullet. The filmmakers semi made light of the killings as a necessity for establishing power and upward mobility. Same was depicted in “Little Caesar” that violence was a given for men to become
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