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Happy Birthday Vilma Banky!
January 9, 1898 - March 18, 1991 Vilma Banky fun facts: Hungarian born, she spoke no English when first discovered by Samuel Goldwyn, who taught her to answer "Lamp chops and pineapple" to all reporters' questions. Rudolph Valentino personally picked her as his leading lady for his final film "The Son Of The Sheik". Her extravagant 1927 wedding to silent film star Rod La Roque was arranged and paid for as a publicity stunt by Samuel Goldwyn. Cecil B. DeMille was best man and Louella Parsons was matron of honor. The wedding was staged like a film premier on a Hollywood sound stage, with guests in the "cheap seats" reportedly served papier mache chicken. Vilma Banky's career did not survive the change to talkies, and she made her last film in 1933. Her marriage lasted nearly 50 years, until Rod La Roque's death in 1969. Vilma Banky passed away in 1991. Film Clips: The Eagle (1925), The Son of the Sheik (1926), The Winning of Barbara Worth (1926). Song: La Violetera by The Tango Project. Thank you Joanna Ramos for another great video! |
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Bad Buck stares down the sheriff, in an iconic moment from "Bad Buck of Santa Ynez" (1915), directed by and starring William S. Hart. This dramatic two-reeler tells the classic tale of an outlaw-on-the-run who risks everything to save the life of a child. It makes makes a great introduction to the legendary director and star, whose drive to tell tales of the American West and intuitive grasp of the new medium resulted in some fascinating cinema. Don't miss William S. Hart in "Bad Buck of Santa Ynez" (1915), plus Charlie Chaplin and Mabel Normand in "Mabel's Married Life," on "Retroformat Live!," available now on Youtube! |
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Retroformat Silent Films is proud to present our own, exclusive new line of lavish, full-sized lobby card reproductions. Every detail of each numbered card has been painstakingly recreated on high quality card stock by vintage image printing expert Janet Klein. See our Merchandise page for more information.
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Retroformat Silent Films
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Our Mission is to promote education and enthusiasm about the art of Silent Film.
Our Vision is of a future where the silent film era is widely enjoyed & fully appreciated as a cornerstone of modern film & visual art. |
Our Community Partners
Retroformat Silent Films is the proud recipient of a 2021 grant for $1,500.00 from the Los Angeles Breakfast Club Foundation, “in recognition of Retroformat’s efforts to promote education and enthusiasm about the art of silent film…We believe Retroformat Silent Films to be a worthy recipient and it is our sincere honor to be able to support (Retroformat) in this way.” We are proud to be honored by such a historic, distinguished ham-and-eggs organization.
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We are available for private screenings and events. Feel free to contact us for booking information.
Retroformat Silent Films
Retroformat Silent Films