Little Caesar: A Biography of Edward G. Robinson

by Alan L. Gansberg

Emanuel Goldenberg was born in Romania and from the age of ten grew up in New York's Lower East Side. He trained at the legendary Theater Guild, changed his name, and starred in many successful Broadway plays before moving to Hollywood.

Among his most famous films were Double Indemnity with Barbara Stanwyck, The Stranger with Orson Welles, Key Largo with Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall, The Ten Commandments with Charlton Heston, The Cincinnati Kid with Steve McQueen, and, of course, Little Caesar .

After twenty successful years in film, Robinson's career was shattered by the McCarthy Commission. Although there was never any concrete proof that Robinson was in fact a member of the Communist party, it took five years for him to clear his name. In this fascinating biography, Alan L. Gansberg reveals the man behind the public face, his many memorable roles among more than 100 films, and his struggle to find steady work in Hollywood again.

Includes 16 pages of photos.

Genres: Film, Biography

336 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1983

Reviews

[j_ay · Rating 2 out of 5]

For those that know of the man, let alone of the career of Edward G Robinson, know he was so, so much more than the cliche 'Little Caesar'. So for a biographer to title the book as so, let alone the continuous and constant referring to it...is a great, great disservice.

While I have never read a bio of EGR this one has the feel of Nothing New, a mere play on what has come before. No Steve McQueen stories? Barely a mention of Paul Newman?

So much more could be said about this man. And should be. But it will take a far better writer and biographer than the likes of this Gansberg hack.

[Howard Fox · Rating 4 out of 5]

An entertaining read.