The Man Who Broke the Bank at Monte Carlo

Director: Stephen R. Roberts, Stephen Roberts Stephen R. Roberts

Overview

The old British musical-hall ditty "The Man Who Broke the Bank at Monte Carlo" provides the title for this lightweight Ronald Colman vehicle. Colman, playing a refugee Russian prince, is the "man" in question, and the owners of the "broken bank"--that is, the proprietors of the Monte Carlo casino where Colman scored the big win--are anxious to get their money back. They dispatch the beautiful Joan Bennett to lure Colman back into the casino. He falls for her and loses his winnings in the process, but she has pangs of remorse when she learns that Colman had been gambling on behalf of his impoverished countrymen. Bennett joins Colman as he merrily heads off to chase another rainbow.

Product Details

Release Date:	10/01/2015
UPC:	0024543969891
Original Release:	1935
Rating:	NR
Source:	ALLIED VAUGHN
Language:	English
Time:	1:07:00
Sales rank:	49,571

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Ronald Colman	Paul Gaillard
Joan Bennett	Helen Berkeley
Montagu Love	Director
Nigel Bruce	Ivan
Colin Clive	Bertrand Berkeley,Waiter
Ferdinand Gottschalk	Office Man
Frank Reicher	2nd Assistant Director
Lionel Pape	3rd Assistant Director
Leonid Snegoff	Nick, the Chef
Sam Ash	Guard
Charles Coleman	Headwaiter
Vladimir Bykoff	Helen's Guide
John Pecora	Patron
Lynn Bari	Flower Girl
Charles Fallon	Croupier
Georgette Rhodes	Check Room Girl
Alphonse Du Bois	Taxi Driver
Andre Cheron	Dealer
Ramsey Hill	Usher
Milton Royce	Usher
Harold Minjir	Man with Girl
Bruce Wyndham	Excited Man
George Andre Beranger	Casino Assistant
Arthur Stuart Hull	Casino Assistant
Dora Clement	Woman
Cecil Weston	Woman
Rudolph Myzet	Changeur
Frederick Sullivan	Pompous Man
Anya Taranda	Girl at Bar
Francisco Maran	Doorman
Eva Dennison	Indignant Woman
Alphonse Martell	Chasseur
William Stack	Director
John Spacey	Director
Don Brodie	Photographer
John Miltern	1st Assistant Director
Leonard Carey	Captain of Waiters
Bob De Coudic	Waiter
Joseph De Stefani	Waiter
Gino Corrado	Desk Clerk
Ferdinand Munier	Maitre d'Hotel
Maurice Cass	Assistant Maitre d'Hotel
John George	Hunchback
Manuel Paris	Doorman
George Sorel	Hotel Clerk
Frank Dunn	Steward
Shirley Anderson	Telephone Girl
Frank Thornton	Guard
Jacques Vanaire	Captains of Waiter
Theodore Lodi	Captains of Waiter
Will Stanton	Drunk Waiter
Christian Rub	Gallard's Guide
Nicholas Soussanin	Cook
Alex Melesh	Cook
I. Miraeva	Singing and Dancing Cook
Joseph Marievsky	Singer
Norman Stengel	Singer
Art Miles	Bit
Gaston Glass	Bit
Regina Rambeau	Girl
Walter Bonn	Doorman
Tom Herbert	Man at Table
Torben Meyer	Minor Role

Technical Credits

Nunnally Johnson	Producer
Stephen Roberts	Director

Editorial Reviews

The Man Who Broke the Bank at Monte Carlo is a sparkling romantic comedy. Though somewhat formulaic, Nunnally Johnson and Howard Ellis Smith's screenplay has bounce, verve, and wit, and if the plot's gears occasionally squeak a little, that's easy enough to forgive. Modern audiences may not respond to Man as readily as audiences did in 1935, when people were more familiar with the plight of Russians forced to flee after the Revolution, but fortunately the historical aspects of the film take second place to the characters. In the title role, Ronald Colman is the perfect romantic leading man, delivering the kind of elegant yet appealing performance that is much more difficult to achieve than it appears and is impossible to fake. He carries the film with his charisma and ability, and it's a noteworthy achievement. A young Joan Bennett shines in a role that is a bit clichéd, holding her own against both Colman and Colin Clive, who delivers a deliciously sinister turn. Nigel Bruce also scores as the valet, and the supporting players are well cast down to the smallest role. Stephen R. Roberts's direction is deft, and there's some attractive photography (though clearly not on-location). The Man Who Broke the Bank at Monte Carlo is terribly lightweight, but entirely winning.

All Movie Guide - Craig Butler