Vilma Banky: More Than a Dream

So the Vilma Banky biography is officially out.  You can buy it through 1921 PVG Publishing or Amazon.com (or any other good retailer.)  Rachel Schildgen will be writing an article on Banky's infamous wedding dresses soon, but I was so excited I had to put this up (and  to think the little liars of the world just wrote today how my publishing company is going under and my books aren't ever coming out!  The best defense is to just keep on living and doing what I'm doing.  The reason they are so insidious is they say things that sound 'true enough'...but are pure bullshit.  Of course both conmen have made a career of it.)

Vilma Banky has always fascinated me.  Rachel's biography sheds a lot of light on her life, particularly the talkie transition and her later years (including some adorable pictures!)  Vilma was stunningly gorgeous, and as I suspected she got screwed in the transition...had she been promoted as a new Garbo her career would not have ended so abruptly.

As for her later life there was a mostly missed opportunity appearance at the 10th annual Valentino Awards which were held in Los Angeles.  People debate whether Banky turned people away or was bitter no one visited her.  I'm gonna make you buy the book to find out which one is true.

One thing that makes me so happy about this release is it completes my secret wish for information on the wonderful trio of Son of the Sheik.  When I first watched the film I immediately googled Karl Dane...and found Laura Petersen Balogh's site. There was no biography yet (now there is.  Buy it.)  Now Vilma Banky has a biography.  Now we wait for Affairs Valentino (which also suffers from Grade A bullshit being said of it.)  Honestly my favorite scene in the film is when Karl is trying to keep Vilma quiet while Valentino lies to himself (yes...its that awesome).  She bites him.  Someone youtube this now!

Rachel wrote a good summary of Vilma Banky for The Rudolph Valentino Society.  She also has a site for Vilma.  To hear Vilma speak (maoul truck!) click here.  And for her complete filmography click here.  Oh and buy the book by clicking here.