Little Caesar · Character

Joe Massara

Gentleman Joe arrives late in evening clothes, black hair sleek and parted like Valentino's, and dances for money — a front Rico swears will turn yellow someday.

supporting

Also known as Joe, Gentleman, Gentleman Joe, Gentleman Joe Massara

First appearance: little caesar

As a supporting figure in Little Caesar, Joe Massara is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

A well-dressed dancer used for his front; late to the meeting, but agrees to participate.

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Joe Massara is the gang's polished front man, able to walk into swell hotels and ask for a suite, vain of his resemblance to the late Mr. Rudolph Valentino. Vettori insists they can't do without him, Tony Passa calls the dancing a smart cover, but Rico hates him and predicts he'll go soft. That split — between the outfit's need for a gentleman and Rico's contempt for one — plants the rivalry that will test every loyalty in the gang.

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See Joe Massara in little caesar

Character Web

13 connections

A slice of how Joe Massara sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Other

Character groups

Expanded Underworld Network
Underworld Romantics & Upstarts
Protagonist
Core Gang Members

+8 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

In this scene, the emotional and psychological peak occurs when Rico rejects Blondy Belle’s violent demand to…

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In the story

Joe Massara appears across 16 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

I
II
V
I
II
III
III
V
+8 more

I
A well-dressed dancer used for his front; late to the meeting, but agrees to participate.
II
Noted as a swell Italian who once passed as a count and hooked a rich widow.
V
Joe arrives at the club, interacts with the check-girl and Olga, and accepts a dance booking from DeVoss.
I
Acts as an inside man at the club, feigns being a victim during the holdup, later demands his share.
II
Present during the confrontation, visibly fearful but sides with Rico, recognizing Rico's toughness.
III
Brings the robbery figures to Rico and leaves through a hidden panel to avoid the detectives.
III
Mentioned as safe as long as he isn't arrested and interrogated, as he cannot withstand pressure.
V
Dining with Olga, feeling affectionate and content until he learns of Tony Passa's murder, which leaves him pale and disturbed.
VI
Dancer at The Bronze Peacock; pressured by Rico to remain in the criminal racket.
II
Arrives at the drugstore after being tipped off about the attack, accompanies Rico back to The Palermo.
II
Joe bursts into Olga's room, visibly pale and shaken after a woman screamed at him during his Pierrot dance.
III
Arrested by Flaherty and Rieger at Olga's apartment, handcuffed, and jailed.
V
Referenced as having confessed to the police about the Courtney murder, triggering the chapter's crisis.
VI
Has turned state's evidence, leading to the police hunt for Rico.
VII
Arrested and named in the papers as a gang chief, described as wearing a tuxedo.
III
Turned State's evidence and was sentenced to life imprisonment.

Chapter companion notes

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See Joe Massara in little caesar

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