Vilma Bánky
| Vilma Bánky | ||
 October 25, 1926 | ||
| Background information | ||
| Birth name | Vilma Konsics Bánky | |
| Born | Jan 9, 1898 | |
| Died | Mar 18, 1991 - age 92 | |
| Spouse(s) | Rod La Rocque (June 26, 1927-October 15, 1969) | |
Vilma Bánky (January 9, 1898 - 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. (*There is some evidence to her being born in 1903.)
Early life
She was born Vilma Konsics Bánky (some believe Vilma Lonchit as many sources have erroneously reported this) to János Konsics Bánky and Katalin Ulbert in Nagydorog, Austria-Hungary, and began appearing in films in 1919, her first film being Im Letzten Augenblick, directed by Carl Boese in Germany. On a trip to Budapest in 1925, Hollywood film producer Samuel Goldwyn discovered the violet-eyed, blonde beauty and signed her to a contract. Her father was strongly against Vilma's career as was her fiancé, but acting had become something that she loved. She left behind her intended husband in Hungary, sailing for America in early March 1925.
Career
She was hailed as "The Hungarian Rhapsody" and was an immediate hit with American audiences. She appeared opposite silent greats, Rudolph Valentino, in The Eagle (1925) and The Son of the Sheik (1926) and Ronald Colman in a series of fantastic love stories, including The Dark Angel and The Winning of Barbara Worth. Prior to Valentino's death, he and Bánky were close friends, and although affairs were rumored throughout Hollywood, there were just that - rumors. Bánky realized he needed a friend more than anything. Her other close Hollywood friends included Victor Varconi, Gloria Swanson, Lya de Putti, Lily Damita, and Leatrice Joy. It is commonly believed that her 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 Rod, and simply be a wife. By 1928, in fact, she had begun announcing her intention to retire in a few years. Of her twenty-four films, seven exist in their entirety (Der Zirkuskönig, The Son of the Sheik, The Eagle, The Winning of Barbara Worth, The Night of Love, A Lady to Love, and The Rebel) and three exist in fragments (Tavaszi Szerelem in scattered bits and the first five reels of The Magic Flame and an incomplete copy of Two Lovers).
After Hollywood
She married actor Rod La Rocque on June 26, 1927, and was with him until his death on October 15, 1969. They had no children. From all accounts, theirs was a marriage based on mutual respect and compatibility.
Her post-Hollywood years were spent selling real estate with her husband and playing golf, her favorite sport. She and her husband created an educational fund for children called "The Banky - La Rocque Foundation".
Bánky died on March 18, 1991, of cardiopulmonary failure at age 93. It is generally stated that her last years were spent regretting the fact that no one came to visit her, although in all actuality, she often sent fans away. Her body was cremated and her ashes were scattered at sea.
External links
- Vilma Banky at the Internet Movie Database
- Remember Vilma Bánky?!: The Hungarian Rhapsody
- Vilma Bánky at Golden Silents
- Photographs of Vilma Banky
Vilma's life + foto, in Hungarian language: http://www.szineszkonyvtar.hu/contents/a-e/bankyelet.htm
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