Banky, Vilma (1898–1991)

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Banky, Vilma (1898–1991)

Austro-Hungarian actress. Born Vilma Lonchit in Nagyrodog, near Budapest, Hungary, Jan 9, 1898; died Mar 18, 1991, in Los Angeles, California; dau. of a prominent politician; m. Rod La Rocque (1898–1969, film star), 1927 (died 1969).

Popular silent-screen star of 1930s, made stage debut in Vienna, then appeared in films in Austria and Hungary (from 1920); brought to Hollywood by Samuel Goldwyn, was promoted as "The Hungarian Rhapsody"; starred opposite Rudolph Valentino in The Eagle (1925) and Son of the Sheik (1926); teamed with Ronald Colman for The Dark Angel; made last film The Rebel in Germany (1932); spoke little English and ostensibly retired with advent of sound; was women's golf champion at Wilshire Country Club (throughout 1940s); other films include Im letzen Augenblick (1920), Hotel Potemkin (1924), The Winning of Barbara Worth (1926), The Awakening (1928), Two Lovers (1928) and Innocent; also made talkies: This is Heaven (1929) and A Lady to Love (1930).

See also Women in World History.

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