The Man Who Broke the Bank at Monte Carlo

The Man Who Broke the Bank at Monte Carlo

Year: 1935

Runtime: 71 mins

Language: English

Director: Stephen Roberts

ComedyRomance

Set just after World War I, a Russian prince travels to Monte Carlo with a fortune provided by fellow Russians living in Paris. He makes a million‑to‑one wager and scores a spectacular win, but the casino’s management demands he honor the house tradition by returning to the tables, sparking a tense showdown between his pride and the high‑stakes gambling world.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – The Man Who Broke the Bank at Monte Carlo (1935)

Explore the full timeline and setting of The Man Who Broke the Bank at Monte Carlo (1935). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Early 20th century

The events unfold in the pre-World War I era, when European aristocracy traveled between luxury casinos and cosmopolitan cities. Gambling, romance, and social maneuvering define the period, shaping loyalties and fortunes.

Location

Monte Carlo, Paris, Interlaken

Monte Carlo in Monaco is the glittering gambling capital where Paul breaks the bank. The journey also takes the characters through Paris and Interlaken, reflecting a European circuit of luxury, romance, and high society. The opulent settings highlight the tension between fortune, risk, and social expectation.

🎰 Casino town 🗺 European travel ⛰ Alpine scenery

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 17:03

Main Characters – The Man Who Broke the Bank at Monte Carlo (1935)

Meet the key characters of The Man Who Broke the Bank at Monte Carlo (1935), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Paul Gaillard (Ronald Colman)

An impoverished Russian exiled aristocrat who becomes a legendary gambler, winning ten million francs at Monte Carlo. He shares his winnings with the staff who helped build his stake, and his fortune fluctuates as he pursues love and personal happiness. He ultimately returns to ordinary life as a taxi driver, choosing love over wealth.

🎭 Aristocrat 🎲 Gambler 💖 Romantic

Helen Berkeley

A back street music hall performer hired to lure Paul back, she falls in love with him and struggles with the money-driven plan that brought them together. She is torn between loyalty to her brother and genuine affection for Paul, and she eventually pursues a sincere relationship. Her pursuit tests social expectations and reveals the power of love to overturn schemes.

💘 Romance 🎭 Performer 🧭 Loyalty

Bertrand Berkeley

Helen's brother who deceives Paul to secure the money his sister supposedly needs, manipulating the situation for his own ends. He lies about Helen's whereabouts and uses wealth as leverage, showing a pragmatic but unscrupulous side. His actions propel the plot toward Monte Carlo and the couple's eventual reunion.

💰 Manipulator 🧭 Deception 🕴 Aristocracy

Ivan

Paul's loyal servant who accompanies him on travels, shares in the plan's ups and downs, and supports his master through changing fortunes.

🤝 Loyalist 🛎 Servant 🧭 Companion

Despondent Casino Gambler

A minor, unnamed figure in the casino world who embodies the risks and despair of gambling life. His presence underscores the high-stakes atmosphere of Monte Carlo.

🎲 Gambler 😞 Despair

Dealer

A casino dealer who interacts with Paul at the baccarat table, symbolizing the casino's edge over personal fortune.

🎭 Casino 🃏 Dealer

Office Man

A staff figure encountered in the casino setting, representing the administrative side of the gambling world.

🏛️ Worker 💼 Casino staff

Director

One of the film's behind-the-scenes authorities who steers the production; stands in the backdrop of the story.

🎬 Director 👥 Cast

2nd Assistant Director

A crew member who helps run the film's production in the story's world.

🎬 Crew 🧰 Support

3rd Assistant Director

Another crew member who contributes to the casino and film's events behind the scenes.

🎬 Crew 🧰 Support

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 17:03

Major Themes – The Man Who Broke the Bank at Monte Carlo (1935)

Explore the central themes of The Man Who Broke the Bank at Monte Carlo (1935), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🎲 Gambling

Paul's extraordinary run at Monte Carlo's baccarat table drives the plot and exposes the peril and allure of luck. His wins and losses redraw relationships and reveal how wealth can both empower and corrupt. The casino's control over fortune mirrors the characters' moral choices as stakes rise.

💘 Love

Helen's affection for Paul grows beyond a calculated lure, turning romance into a counterweight to money and manipulation. Love complicates family pressures and social expectations, offering a path to personal redemption. The relationship endures deception and risk, culminating in a quiet vow between them. Their bond remains resilient even as rumors swirl.

🏛️ Social Class

The film contrasts aristocratic exile and the casino world's glittering rituals with the staff, performers, and dealers who populate Monte Carlo. Wealth and status drive characters' decisions, yet genuine affection challenges these hierarchies. The private birthday celebration of the late Czar Nicholas II underscores ritual, lineage, and the fragility of privilege throughout the story.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 17:03

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The Man Who Broke the Bank at Monte Carlo Summary

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The Man Who Broke the Bank at Monte Carlo Summary

The Man Who Broke the Bank at Monte Carlo Timeline

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The Man Who Broke the Bank at Monte Carlo Timeline

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