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| Although I had been somewhat sure of Vilma's birthyear occurring in 1898, further evidence is pointing to the fact that Vilma may, in fact, have been born in a different year. The date of her birth is consistently listed as January 09, but the year is disputed by many sources: -1898- Silent Film Necrology by E. M. Vazzana Internet Movie Database They Had Faces Then by John Springer and Jack Hamilton Silent Film Performers by Roy Liebman -1901- Vilma was born in 1901 - this has been verified by a civil registration document! The New York Times Biographical Service -1902- The Filmgoer's Companion (Fourth - Seventh thru Ninth Editions) by Leslie Halliwell 1930 Los Angeles County, California Census -1903- Vilma's Social Security Application "Vilma Banky - Hungarian Rhapsody" by Charles K. Stumpf from "The World of Yesterday," August, 1979 Twenty Years of Silents, 1908-1928 compiled by J. T. Weaver Who's Who in Hollywood (1976, 1992) by David Ragan Her death certificate lists it as unknown. The mystery grows - on to Vilma's last name...once again, many sources are in conflict! Most of her biographical listings say she was born Vilma Lonchit or Longit. However, her father was named Janos Konsics Banky. In Hungary, she was known as Banky Vilma. Another source also says her birthname was Banky Vilma Baulsey. Apparently, Vilma's early life is still a mystery! |
| Schoolgirl Vilma, about age 14 |
| Contact: info@vilma-banky.com |
| Koncsics (Banky) Family |
| Top left: Vilma's father, died February 28, 1948 Bottom left: Vilma's mother, died October 09, 1947 Top right: Vilma's sister, died August 18, 1969 in Hodmezovasarhely, Hungary. She had three children. Bottom right: Vilma's brother, died March 14, 1967 in Munich, Germany [He was a fairly well known editor, writer, and cinematographer during the 1930-1940s Hungarian/German film industry.] |
| Above image of young Vilma and below of individual family pictures of the Banky family on this page are courtesy of Szineszkonyvtar |
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| Viktor (Gyula) Banky's son immigrated to Argentina, where some of Vilma's relatives still live. She corresponded with them on a regular basis. I don't remember the source of this image; a Hungarian one no doubt. At left is an early picture of the Koncsics and their somewhat extended family. Vilma is on the left hand side by the tree in the white dress; she is probably seated next to her grandmother; however, I'm not entirely sure of this. Her father is most likely seated on the opposite end of the table by the woman with her head on her hand. Vilma looks about 16 or 17 years old in the picture, so this would date to about 1917 - 1918. |
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| An early postcard of Nagydorog, Hungary; the Tolna countryside of Hungary |
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| At left: A simple map of Hungary, showing Nagydorog's location in relation to Budapest, the capital. Then rural Nagydorog is about one and half hours outside the capital, and is known for its Hat and Cap Museum. Please note that some sources list Vilma's birthplace as Nagyrodog [sic] - this is an INCORRECT spelling! At right: The beautiful countryside of Nagydorog, Hungary. Numerous churches lined the small and unpaved streets around the time of Vilma's birth. |
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