Monty Banks

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Monty Banks

Monty Banks , actually Mario Bianchi , (born July 18, 1897 in Cesena , Italy , † January 7, 1950 in Arona , Italy) was an Italian-American comedian , film actor and film director , film producer and screenwriter .

Life

Mario Bianchi immigrated to the United States from Italy in 1914, and later became a US citizen . From 1916 he worked as a film actor and played among other things for the film studio of Roscoe Arbuckle . In the early 1920s, Banks was so popular that he starred in over 35 short comedies, and later turned to full-length films. The dawn of the sound film and with it the disclosure of his strong Italian accent damaged his film career as a comedian. He then turned to directing and writing gags for other comedians. His last film in which he directed was the 1941 Laurel and Hardy film horror of the Company ( Great Guns ).

From 1929 until the divorce in 1932 he was married to the actress Gladys Frazin , the marriage lasted until his death. In 1940, Banks married the British actress and singer Gracie Fields . Since Italy was an opponent of the British, the two emigrated to North America . He died of a heart attack when he was only 52 .

Filmography (selection)

As a director

  • 1924: Hot Sands (also actor)
  • 1930: Liebestoll (The Compulsory Husband) (also actor)
  • 1934: The Church Mouse
  • 1935: George breaks all records (No Limit) (also actor)
  • 1935: Man of the Moment (also actor)
  • 1936: Keep Your Seats, Please!
  • 1939: Shipyard Sally
  • 1941: Horrors of the Company (Great Guns) (also actor)

Actors only

  • 1916: Cold Hearts and Hot Flames
  • 1919: Love
  • 1919: The Grocery Clerk
  • 1920: The Workshop ( The Garage , short film)
  • 1929: Atlantic
  • 1932: Hold 'Em Jail
  • 1941: King of the Toreros (Blood and Sand)
  • 1945: A Bell for Adano

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