(born July 18, 1897 as Mario Bianchi in Cesena, Italy - died January 7, 1950 in Arona, Italy)

In the 1920s, Monty worked in Hollywood, starring in many silent short comedies and in the feature-length action thriller Play Safe (1927). A large excerpt from this movie is included in the compilation film Days of Thrills and Laughter.

With the arrival of sound films, Banks's strong European accent forced him to phase out his acting career in favor of working as a gagman and director.

He directed Laurel and Hardy in their film, Great Guns, under the name "Montague Banks".