Monty Banks
Director · 1897 – 1950 · Cesena, Forlì-Cesena, Emilia-Romagna, Italy
Monty Banks was a short, stocky but somehow debonair Italian-born comic actor, later also writer and director. In the US from 1914, he first appeared on stage in musical comedy and cabaret. By 1917 he was working as a dancer in New York's Dominguez Cafe. After this he turned to films, acting and doing stunt work at Keystone, Universal and for Al Christie. Changing his name from Mario Bianchi to Monty Banks may have been prompted by Roscoe 'Fatty' Arbuckle as a passing reference to his playing '"montebanks". By 1919 Banks had moved to Vitagraph to play a villain in The Grocery Clerk (1919), foil to star comic Larry Semon. Banks first came to the fore in his own right as star of the "Welcome Comedies" made by Warner Brothers. He spent the early 1920s at Fox and Grand Asher, graduating to writing and directing two-reel comedies with himself as the star. Most noteworthy entries in regard to inventive sight gags and Mack Sennett--style madcap plots are Pay or Move (1924) and The Golf Bug (1924). The success of this series prompted Banks to create an independent production company, the Monty Banks Pictures Corporation, in conjunction with writer/director Howard Estabrook. He made several feature-length films for Pathe, including Play Safe (1927)) (generally considered his best work), which featured a climactic runaway train sequence. This style of fast-action slapstick made it inevitable that Banks suffered more than his fair share of injuries, especially since he continued to do many of his own stunts. From the late 1920s Banks worked in England and made several appearances in sound films. However, his accent proved to be something of an obstacle. He therefore decided, after 1930, to concentrate on directing and producing. He helmed four features starring the popular entertainer Gracie Fields, who became his second wife in 1940. In 1935 he directed a well-received George Formby comedy, No Limit (1935), about the TT motorcycle races on the Isle of Man, which were shot on location there. With the outbreak of World War II Banks--being an Italian citizen--would have faced internment in England as an enemy alien. He therefore deemed it necessary to flee to Canada, and from there to the neutral United States. He eventually obtained American citizenship, for which he had applied years earlier, but had forgotten to submit the necessary paperwork. Back in Hollywood he ended up at 20th Century-Fox, directing Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy in Great Guns (1941), arguably one of their lesser efforts. Banks died of a heart attack during a trip through Italy in January 1950, aged just 52. Sadly, the majority of his one- and two-reelers are now considered lost films. As a result, his status as a leading comic of the silent screen may have somewhat diminished--except, perhaps, in his home town of Cesena, where a foundation was established in his honor (the "Aula Didattica Monty Banks"), offering students "practical courses on experimental aspects of video production".
Movies24
Movie6.5DramaRomanceBullfighter Juan Gallardo falls for socialite Dona Sol, turning from the faithful Carmen who nevertheless stands by her man as he continues to face real danger in the bullring.
Blood and Sand
1941 · 67 votes
Movie5.8Comedy"Fatty", a poor good hearted farm boy is deeply in love with Winifred, a farmer's daughter. A rich neighbor offers the farmer a large plot of land if Winifred marries his slow witted son Al. "Fatty" has less then one day to save heartbroken Winifred from the rushed ceremony.
Love
1919 · 9 votes
Movie6.0WarDramaMajor Joppolo and his men are assigned to restore order to the war-torn Italian town of Adano. He has to manage getting supplies into town without interfering with troop movements, all the while dealing with colorful citizens of the town. One of his quests is to replace the bell which orders the town's life.
A Bell for Adano
1945 · 14 votes
Movie6.0DocumentaryAn appreciative, uncritical look at silent film comedies and thrillers from early in the century through the 1920s.
Days of Thrills and Laughter
1961 · 3 votes
- MovieComedy
A wild taxi driver can't get ahead with his fares but he is still willing to help his sweetheart at the drugstore, especially when he figures out how to sell hair tonic
Taxi Please
1923
- Movie
Very hungry Monty chases a garbage truck all around town to retrieve a box lunch thrown away by a picky young lady.
Derby Day
1922
Movie6.1ComedyRoscoe and Buster operate a combination garage and fire station. In the first half they destroy a car left for them to clean. In the second half they go off on a false alarm and return to find their own building on fire.
The Garage
1920 · 65 votes
Movie9.0ComedyA Monty Banks comedy that includes the 'Undressing in the Upper Berth' routine
Horse Shoes
1927 · 1 votes
Movie7.0ComedyThe owner of a professional help agency poses as a poet at a wealthy patron's ball and prevents a necklace from being stolen by thieves.
Leave It to Me
1933 · 1 votes
Movie7.5ComedyLove blossoms after a young man rescues a pretty girl who attempted to drown herself.
Man of the Moment
1935 · 2 votes
Movie8.0ComedyThe owner of a small Italian restaurant in central London is left a million pound inheritance, the only stipulation to the will being that he cannot speak or write anything for a period of one month.
So You Won't Talk
1935 · 1 votes
Movie7.0MusicComedyA useless secretary and his private detective friend try to help an heiress from being swindled by her guardian.
For the Love of Mike
1932 · 1 votes
MovieComedyLaurel is a Scottish reporter suspected of being a spy by police detective James Finlayson. Although trailed by the latter, Stan, who is reporting on the movie world, manages to be hired by Mack Sennett. He makes his debut in Nevada, in the middle of gold diggers. After managing to clear his name he becomes, with Oliver Hardy, a big comedy star.
MovieComedyLovable buffoon Monty Banks tries to relax, but ultimately spends his day worrying about who is keeping company with his wife.
Movie7.1ComedyMusicA rich American businessman in London makes believe he's lost all his money so that his daughter will marry a composer.
You Made Me Love You
1933 · 8 votes
MovieMisadventures of a traveling company of actors performing for one night in a small town. When the troupe's leading lady deserts the show for a better paying job as a waitress, a young woman from the town gets the role for one night.
One Night Only
1919
Movie7.0ComedyThe Boy, involved in a maritime disaster as a child, suffers from hydrophobia. He invents a life preserver that automatically inflates when it hits the water, using it to save the life of Rose Ryan, the daughter of a steamship magnate.
Keep Smiling
1925 · 1 votes
Movie9.0ComedyA naive young man joins the Army in order to become a pilot.
Flying Luck
1927 · 1 votes
Movie8.0ComedyMysteryA model inherits a great deal of money and pretends to be a movie star.
Heads We Go
1933 · 1 votes
Movie5.8RomanceComedyWhen a meek secretary goes to work for her new boss, she becomes a sophisticated lady.
The Church Mouse
1934 · 4 votes
Movie10.0ComedySlapstick comedy in which luckless slate club treasurer Bill Smithers is sent to prison for three years after being mistakenly accused of stealing funds.
Tonight's the Night - Pass It On
1931 · 1 votes
Movie6.5ActionComedyVirginia Craig will become super-wealthy and gain sole control of her factory, unless insubordinate schemers can trick her into marrying one of their clique. Unfortunately for them, she loves Monty, one of her employees. When the schemers' plot is discovered, a chase starts away from the factory and onto a runaway train.
Chasing Choo Choos
1927 · 2 votes
Movie8.0ComedyA recently engaged girl invites her parents to meet her fiance. They learn that he also loves another woman.
The Compulsory Husband
1929 · 1 votes
- Movie9.0Comedy
British comedy. It was released in the United States the following year under the alternative title Trouble Ahead.
Falling in Love
1934 · 1 votes