Throwback Thursday and Vilma Banky
Born on January 9, 1901, Vilma Banky was
a famous silent movie actress whose career began in Budapest. In 1925 she was
discovered by Samuel Goldwyn and despite the fact that her family was opposed
to it, she relocated to Hollywood. She soon became Goldwyn’s largest
money-maker.
She acted
opposite Rudolph Valentino in "The Eagle" (1925) and "The Son of
the Sheik" (1926), and in many other films, but not all of them survive.
She and
husband Rod LaRoque are known for having one of Hollywood’s greatest love
affairs. They met at a party in December 1925 that was held at the home of
Cecil B. DeMille. At their 1927 wedding Samuel Goldwyn gave
the bride away, Cecil B. DeMille was best man and Louella Parsons was
matron of honor. She and LaRoque went on to have a marriage of 42 years, lasting
until LaRoque died in 1969.
Some say the
advent of talking movies was her downfall, due to her heavy Hungarian accent. Her
last film was in 1933. But it appears by this time she was ready to leave
Hollywood and live a more normal life.
However, in
the 1980s when she became ill she is said to have been disturbed that she received
little or no attention from the media. Therefore, when she died on March 18,
1991 there was no official mention of death until more than a year later.
From the Big
Blue Book of Ballet Secrets
Dance History Secret #301:
“Silent film actress Vilma Banky was called the
“Hungarian Rhapsody”.
Link of the Day:
Quote of the Day:
“I really lost two years, so far as learning English is concerned. I
had a German secretary and I mingled with people who spoke Hungarian, German,
and French. That was easier for me – and, you see, there were no talking
pictures then.”
— Vilma Banky
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