Quick Fact – Cavalier Comic

California, Casino History, Chico Marx, Crimes / Violence / Punishments: Murder / Killing, Did You Know?, Gambling History, George "Les" Bruneman, Los Angeles-California, Quick Facts, United StatesLeave a comment

1937 A $2,000 check signed “Chico Marx” (about $34,600 today) was found in the pocket of Los Angeles gambler/bookmaker George “Les” Bruneman upon his murder carried out by a couple of Southern California Mafia hitmen. About Bruneman’s death, Marx — a fan of betting on card games, sports and horse and dog racing — joked…

Quick Fact – Casino Trendsetter

Casino History, Chico Marx, Commercial Hotel/Monte Carlo Casino (Elko, NV), Did You Know?, Elko--Nevada, Entertainment, Gambling History, Gaming History, Lawrence Welk, Nevada, Newton Crumley, Paul Whiteman, Quick Facts, Sophie Tucker, Ted Lewis, The Andrews Sisters, United StatesLeave a comment

  1941 Nevada casinos are known for their big-name entertainment, and it all started in the city of Elko. In spring of 1941, Newton Crumley, owner of the Commercial Hotel and its Monte Carlo Casino, engaged Ted Lewis, bandleader-singer-entertainer-popular radio star, to perform there for a week for $12,000 (about $196,000 today). Other stars who…