Chico Marx, c. 1930

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 that perhaps he’d done himself in after discovering the check wasn’t cashable due to insufficient funds.

1941

Nevada casinos are known for their big-name entertainment, and it all started in the city of Elko.

In spring 1941, Newton Crumley, the 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 followed included Sophie Tucker, Lawrence Welk, Chico Marx, The Andrews Sisters and Paul Whiteman.

Photo from The New York Public Library Digital Collections, Billy Rose Theatre Division: Ted Lewis Act