SOMETHING TO SING ABOUT
"THE MAN WHO BROKE THE BANK AT MONTE CARLO" has its origin in the gambling exploits of one Charles Wells, who was attacked by Labouchere in London "Truth" in 1890 as "the biggest swindler living." Wells was able to take palatial offices and to own a whole fleet of luxurious yachts, in one of which he retreated, from an adverse decision in the Civil Courts, to Monte Carlo in 1892. There, with no particular system but an amazing run.of luck, he had a series of staggering wins, breaking the bank half a dozen times. When Charles Coborn, the famous old British music hall singer, first sang "The Man Who Broke the Bank at Monte Carlo" at the Trocadero, the audience wouldn’t have it at amy price. They hooted, howled and hissed until one night Coborn advanced to the front of the stage and told them: "I am engaged here for 12 weeks, and I’m going to, sing this song every night and repeat the chorus until you join in with me." Soon the song was being whistled and sung all over London.
Permanent link to this item
Hononga pūmau ki tēnei tūemi
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/periodicals/NZLIST19540312.2.50
Bibliographic details
Ngā taipitopito pukapuka
New Zealand Listener, Volume 30, Issue 764, 12 March 1954, Page 25
Word count
Tapeke kupu
186SOMETHING TO SING ABOUT New Zealand Listener, Volume 30, Issue 764, 12 March 1954, Page 25
Using this item
Te whakamahi i tēnei tūemi
Material in this publication is protected by copyright.
Are Media Limited has granted permission to the National Library of New Zealand Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa to develop and maintain this content online. You can search, browse, print and download for research and personal study only. Permission must be obtained from Are Media Limited for any other use.
Copyright in the work University Entrance by Janet Frame (credited as J.F., 22 March 1946, page 18), is owned by the Janet Frame Literary Trust. The National Library has been granted permission to digitise this article and make it available online as part of this digitised version of the New Zealand Listener. You can search, browse, and print this article for research and personal study only. Permission must be obtained from the Janet Frame Literary Trust for any other use.
Copyright in the Denis Glover serial Hot Water Sailor published in 1959 is owned by Pia Glover. The National Library has been granted permission to digitise this serial and make it available online as part of this digitised version of the Listener. You can search, browse, and print this serial for research and personal study only. Permission must be obtained from Pia Glover for any other use.
Log in