Vilma Banky

Born: 1901-01-09

From Wikipedia Vilma Bánky (January 9, 1901 – March 18, 1991) was a Hungarian-born American silent film actress, although the early part of her acting career began in Budapest, spreading to France, Austria, and Germany. Banky was best known for her roles in The Eagle and The Son of the Sheik with Rudolph Valentino and several romantic teamings with Ronald Colman. She was hailed as "The Hungarian Rhapsody" and was an immediate hit with American audiences. The New York Times remarked in its review of her first American film, The Dark Angel, that she "is a young person of rare beauty ... so exquisite that one is not in the least surprised that she is never forgotten by Hillary Trent" (the movie's leading male character). It is commonly believed that Banky's thick Hungarian accent cut her career short with the advent of sound. However, she began losing interest in films and wanted to settle down with her husband actor Rod La Rocque. By 1928 she had begun announcing her intention to retire in a few years. She married Rod La Rocque in 1927. The couple had no children and remained together until his death in 1969. Vilma Bánky died on March 18, 1991, aged 90.


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The Eagle

as Mascha Troekouroff
Released: 1925-11-08

Vladimir Dubrouvsky, a lieutenant in the Russian army, catches the eye of Czarina Catherine II....

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The Son of the Sheik

as Yasmin, André's Daughter
Released: 1926-09-05

Ahmed, son of Diana and Sheik Ahmed Ben Hassan, falls in love with Yasmin, a dancing girl who...

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The Winning of Barbara Worth

as Barbara Worth
Released: 1926-10-14

While building an irrigation system for a Southwestern desert community, an engineer vies with a...

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Two Lovers

as Donna Leonora de Vargas
Released: 1928-03-23

Set during the 16th-century Spanish occupation of Flanders, the story concentrates on the...

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The Circus: Premiere

as Self
Released: 1928-01-13

Footage from the premiere of Charlie Chaplin's 1928 film 'The Circus'.

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The Night of Love

as Princess Marie
Released: 1927-01-22

Montero, son of a Gypsy leader, is about to take a bride according to primitive ritual, when the...

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The Legend of Rudolph Valentino

as Self (archive footage)
Released: 1961-05-24

A documentary of Hollywood's first great Latin Lover, the contradictions in his personal life,...

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A Lady to Love

as Lena Shultz
Released: 1930-02-28

Middle-aged Napa Valley grape-grower Tony posts a marriage proposal to San Francisco waitress...

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The Golden Twenties

as Self (archive footage)
Released: 1950-04-08

Feature-length compilation of 1920s newsreel footage, with commentary about news, sports,...

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The Awakening

as Marie Ducrot
Released: 1928-11-17

A French country lass Marie Ducrot, name is "mud" after she is compromised by a German soldier ....

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The Magic Flame

as Bianca, the Aerial Artist
Released: 1927-09-17

The Magic Flame (1927) is a feature film directed by Henry King, produced by Samuel Goldwyn, and...

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The Dark Angel

as Kitty Vane
Released: 1925-09-27

Alan Trent (Ronald Colman), his cousin Gerald Shannon (Wyndham Standing) and neighbor Kitty Vane...

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Every woman's longing

as Mizzi
Released: 1930-05-17

Tony, a prosperous Italian vineyardist in California, advertises for a young wife, passing off a...

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King of the Circus

as uncredited
Released: 1924-05-23

Directed by Édouard-Émile Violet.

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This Is Heaven

as Eva Petrie
Released: 1929-06-22

This film was released in both silent and sound versions.

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The Beverly Hillbillies

as Actress in Silent Film (archive footage)
First aired: 1962-09-26

Jed Clampett's swamp is loaded with oil. When a wildcatter discovers the huge pool, Jed sells...

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The Ed Sullivan Show

as Self
First aired: 1948-06-20

The Ed Sullivan Show is an American TV variety show that originally ran on CBS from Sunday June...

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