Unless you happened to have seen this movie on TV, you have probably not seen it. It has not been released for DVD, although it is a big budget movie filmed in Cinemascope. Like most Cinemascope films of the time, it brings in the flavor of the locale with panorama shots. I see it a a period piece first and film noir only because of Robinson. For its time, it was incredibly gritty.
Robinson is the classic Little Ceasar, and his performance carries the movie. Ladd may have been miscast, but carries the part OK. The dynamic boat-ride ending may be commonplace now, but was a real innovation at the time.
I have always wondered why this film was not released on tape or DVD. Perhaps its the title, since San Franciscans loath the nickname "Frisco."
Robinson is the classic Little Ceasar, and his performance carries the movie. Ladd may have been miscast, but carries the part OK. The dynamic boat-ride ending may be commonplace now, but was a real innovation at the time.
I have always wondered why this film was not released on tape or DVD. Perhaps its the title, since San Franciscans loath the nickname "Frisco."