Edward G. Robinson – A New Yorker State of Mind

During the early years of the Depression and before censorship guidelines were imposed by the Hays Code, Hollywood cranked out a slew of “Pre-Code” films filled with sex and violence, including 1931’s Little Caesar, the first “talkie” gangster film that defined the genre for decades to come.

It also propelled the career of Edward G. Robinson (1893-1973), who portrayed “Little Caesar” Rico Bandello — it was a breakout role for the actor, leading to a 50-year career of playing tough guys among other roles. Although the film today is considered a classic and well-regarded by critics, the New Yorker’s John Mosher was not entirely bowled over; he did, however, see the talent potential of the 33-year-old Robinson:

OUCH…Clockwise, from top left, Rico Bandello (**Edward G. Robinson)** catches some lead from a rival gangster in *Little Caesar;* Rico has little patience for his partner Joe (**Douglas Fairbanks Jr.**) and his love interest Olga (**Glenda Farrell**); Rico and his boys doing a little banking business; Rico up to no good with his sidekick Otero (**George E. Stone**). (Britannica/moviestillsdb.com/MoMA/IMDB)

Mervyn LeRoy’s Little Caesar would kick off a series of Warner Brothers gangster films that would help launch the careers of other actors including James Cagney (The Public Enemy, Angels With Dirty Faces) and Humphrey Bogart (The Petrified Forest). Here’s Warner’s trailer for Little Caesar:

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You Dirty Rat

The Jan. 17 “Talk of the Town” looked in on the growing rat infestation at Riker’s Island, a swampy little island that expanded more than four times its original size thanks to the mountains of garbage dumped there in the early 20th century. Much of it was coal ash, which caused the spontaneous fires referred to in the following “Talk” article. Of course the garbage also attracted legions of rats, which officials tried to counter by releasing vicious dogs and pigs on the island. It only seems fitting that such a place would become home to one of America’s most hellish prisons:

LOOKS PEACEFUL FROM UP HERE…Clockwise, from top, aerial view of the Riker’s Island Penitentiary, which opened in 1932. Mountains of garbage, some 130 feet high, are visible in the background. The garbage heaps were prone to spontaneous combustion. In 1934 a prison warden described his nighttime view as a “whole hillside lit up with little fires. … It was beautiful”; view of a cellblock; adding to the mountain of garbage in 1937. (correction history.org)

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Sign of the Times

No doubt some of the folks who ended up at Riker’s were desperate souls who were reduced to begging on the streets of Manhattan. Morris Markey, in his “Reporter at Large” column, looked in on some of the city’s “Vagabonds,” noting that the Depression had added some new faces among the panhandlers, faces “torn by an unaccustomed pain.” An excerpt:

HARD TIMES…An unemployed man seeks work in the 1930s. (Wayne State University)

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Grim for the Reaper

The Depression, it seems, was even hard on the nation’s undertakers, according to E.B. White in “Notes and Comment”…

NEED A LIFT?…A hearse and undertaker in 1930. Business was surprisingly slow in hard times. (my101years.com)

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Work is Fun When You Don’t Need It

Lois Long filed another installment in her “Doldrums” series, in which she commented on the desires of the city’s debutantes to find some purpose in life…

PUTTING THEIR BEST FEET FORWARD…Debutantes pose in Washington, D.C., circa 1930. (Pinterest)

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Pablo Who?

New York’s Valentine Gallery was offering a showing of works by Pablo Picasso, who was famous enough to create as he wished, but not quite ready for canonical consideration…

I’LL DO AS I PLEASE…**Pablo Picasso** in 1931, in a portrait by **Cecil Beaton**. (oscarenfotos.com)

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Order Restored

After its Marion Talley debacle, the Metropolitan Opera stage welcomed French soprano Lily Pons (1898-1976) to its stage. “The Talk of Town” noted that although Pons’ debut was far less hyped than Talley’s, her reception by New York audiences was far more enthusiastic. While Talley’s career would sputter and fade, Pons would enjoy a long association with the Metropolitan Opera, where she performed nearly 300 times between 1931 and 1960.

A BREATH OF FRESH AIR…One of the most popular prima donnas of her time, French soprano **Lily Pons** would grace the Metropolitan Opera stage for 30 years. From right, a 1931 portrait of Pons by **Cecil Beaton**; on the cover of *Time*, Oct. 17, 1932. (CondeNast/Time)

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From Our Advertisers

Best & Company looked out for the welfare of New York’s young women by offering a selection of wool “Vassarettes” to stave off the “Grippe” weather…

…with the annual Motor Boat Show at the Grand National Palace, several ads called readers’ attention to expensive toys fewer and fewer could afford to own…

…the makers of Sterling boat motors shelled out the big bucks for this full-color, back-page ad…overall, the number of boat ads were down from previous years…