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Ella Hall

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Ella Hall
Hall c. 1918
Born(1896-03-17)March 17, 1896
Hoboken, New Jersey, U.S.
DiedSeptember 3, 1981(1981-09-03) (aged 85)
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Years active1912–1933
Spouses
​
​
(m. 1919; div. 1930)​
Charles Clow
​
​
(m. 1934; ann. 1936)​
Children4, including Ellen Hall and Richard Emory

Ella Augusta Hall (March 17, 1896 – September 3, 1981) was an American actress. She appeared in more than 90 films between 1912 and 1933.

Early years

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Ella Augusta Hall was born in Hoboken, New Jersey on March 17, 1896. Her family moved to Hollywood in the early days of silent films so her mother could pursue an acting career. Her mother was May Hall, a struggling actress who never reached any level of notoriety.[citation needed]

Career

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Ella Hall's first credited film appearance was the lead role in the 1913 film Memories. Her career took off after that film, and she appeared in thirty-seven films from 1913 through the end of 1914. She had another thirty-nine film appearances from 1915 through 1919. She did not appear in another film until 1921. Her career had slowed considerably during this two-year break, and she starred in only seven more films. Her best-known film was The Flying Dutchman, released in 1923, which was her final silent film.

She had a minor appearance, uncredited, in the 1930 Cecil B. DeMille film Madam Satan. Her final film appearance was in 1933's The Bitter Tea of General Yen.

Marriage, children and divorce

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Ella Hall with 3 children Oct 1924
Ella Hall with 3 children Jul 1924

On June 13, 1917, the President of Universal Film Manufacturing Company, Carl Laemmle, held a gala for his employees. He had spent considerable time managing the affairs at Universal City in California. Now he was about to return to his headquarters in New York. "The occasion promised to be one of the most noteworthy in the history of film functions." Three thousand guests showed up, including Emory Johnson.[1][2] Johnson, 23, attended the ball escorting another fellow Universalite, Hall.

Hall had recently turned 20 years old. The petite, blue-eyed blond beauty first found work as a Universal ingénue. She had grown up in the movies. By 1915, Hall had become one of the hottest box-office attractions at Universal. Johnson had acted in his last picture of 1916, My Little Boy. The movie was the first film with his future bride. They fell in love during the making of this motion picture. But they had saved their big announcement for the Laemmle ball. At an appropriate moment during the ball, glasses were clinked, and Emory and Hall professed their love and announced their engagement.[3]

Fast-forward to Thursday, September 6, 1917. Hall and Johnson were busy finishing their day's work for Universal. They worked until 2  pm. After they cleaned up, Johnson and Hall were married in a private ceremony at 3 o'clock. After the ceremony, they hopped in Johnson's Hupmobile and drove off on their honeymoon. They were scheduled to return to work on October 1.[4][5] After the honeymoon was over, the couple moved into Johnson's house along with Johnson's mother Emilie Johnson. Thus, we had a girl from New Jersey married to a laid-back Californian while living with a strict Scandinavian mother, all under one roof.[citation needed]

Hall with husband Emory Johnson and children in 1923

Their first son (Richard), Walter Emory, was born on January 27, 1919, in Santa Barbara, California.[6] Their second son Bernard Alfred was born on September 26, 1920, in Santa Barbara, California.[7] Their daughter Ellen Joanna was born in Los Angeles, California, on April 18, 1923.[8]

By 1924, their marriage was on the rocks. The conflict resulted in their first separation. Hall cited the main problem was the conflict between her and Johnson's overbearing mother. Hall filed for divorce.[9] Tragedy struck in March 1926. While Hall and the kids were walking down a street in Hollywood, little Bernard was run over and killed by a truck.[10] He was five years old. Bernard's death would provide a catalyst for the couple's first reconciliation.[11]


A second separation occurred in 1929. Later that year, the couple decided to have another child. Diana Marie (Dinie) was born in Los Angeles, California, on October 27, 1929. She would be their last child together.[12]

"Two in a family can't be picture folk and stay married, and sometimes one can't either. So I'm in neither picture nor marriage"

Ella Hall
September 1931[13]

From 1924 onwards, the couple had engaged in highly publicized disputes revolving around alimony payments, child support, visitation rights, and living arrangements. Their relationship was also characterized by a constant cycle of breaking up and getting back together. Hall had difficulty reconciling her emotions regarding Johnson's status as an only child and what she perceived as his excessive attachment to his mother. She viewed Emory as a "mother's boy," suggesting that his close bond with his mother interfered with their relationship. She believed that the presence and influence of her mother-in-law in their daily lives went beyond what she considered acceptable. Hall succinctly captured her frustration with the statement, "Too much mother-in-law!"[14]

In 1930, their stormy relationship came to an end. The divorce between Johnson, 36, and Hall, 34, was finalized in Los Angeles, California. At one time, they were considered one of Hollywood's ideal marriages. After the divorce, they would continue to battle over money.[citation needed]

She wed Charles Clow in October 1934, but the marriage was annulled on January 21, 1936, because Clow's divorce from his first wife had been set aside, making his marriage to Hall illegal.[15]

Two of their children became actors, Ellen Hall and Richard Emory.[16]

Death

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She was residing in Los Angeles, California at the time of her death on September 3, 1981.[17]

Filmography

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          ◆   Filmography of Ella Hall (92 films)   ◆          
Year Title Role Director Production Distribution Released Genre Length Notes
1912 Hot Stuff Party Guest (unconfirmed) Sennett Biograph General Film 1912-03-21 Comedy Short 8 mins
1912 The School Teacher and the Waif Schoolgirl (unconfirmed) Griffith Biograph General Film 1912-06-27 Comedy Short 17 mins
1913 Parson Jim's Baby Miles Kinemacolor of America Kinemacolor of America 1913-05-01 Western Short
1913 Love in the Dark Miles Kinemacolor of America Kinemacolor of America 1913-05-31 Romance Short
1913 Local Color Miles Kinemacolor of America Kinemacolor of America 1913-06-21 Comedy Short Kinemacolor movie
1913 When Love Grows Up Miles Kinemacolor of America Kinemacolor of America 1913-07-01 Drama Short
1913 Memories Personification of Youth Smalley-Weber Rex Universal Studios 1913-10-16 Romance Short
1913 The Haunted Bride The Maid Smalley-Weber Rex Universal Studios 1913-11-09 Comedy Short
1913 The Blood Brotherhood The Crippled Girl Smalley-Weber Rex Universal Studios 1913-11-16 Drama Short
1913 James Lee's Wife The Milkmaid Smalley-Weber Rex Universal Studios 1913-12-07 Drama Short
1913 The Mask Lois' Invalid Sister Smalley-Weber Rex Universal Studios 1913-12-14 Crime Short
1913 The Jew's Christmas Eleanor - Isaac's Granddaughter Smalley-Weber Rex Universal Studios 1913-12-18 Drama Short
1914 The Female of the Species The Sheriff's Sweetheart Smalley-Weber Rex Universal Studios 1914-01-01 Drama Short
1914 A Fool and His Money Ella - the Waitress Smalley-Weber Rex Universal Studios 1914-01-04 Comedy Short
1914 The Coward Hater Smalley-Weber Rex Universal Studios 1914-02-08 Drama Short
1914 Woman's Burden Peggy's Sister Weber Rex Universal Studios 1914-02-22 Drama Short
1914 The Weaker Sister Weber Rex Universal Studios 1914-03-01 Drama Short
1914 A Modern Fairy Tale The Princess Weber Rex Universal Studios 1914-03-08 Drama Short
1914 The Man Who Slept Mary Weber Rex Universal Studios 1914-04-09 Drama Short
1914 An Episode Smalley-Weber Rex Universal Studios 1914-04-30 Romance Short
1914 The Career of Waterloo Peterson Smalley-Weber Rex Universal Studios 1914-05-10 Comedy Short
1914 The Triumph of Mind Crooked Trill Weber Bison 1914-05-23 Drama Short
1914 The Stone in the Road Weber Rex Universal Studios 1914-05-31 Drama Short
1914 The Spy Frances Wharton Turner Universal Universal Studios 1914-06-01 Drama Short
1914 The Pursuit of Hate The Graves' Daughter Weber Rex Universal Studios 1914-06-14 Drama Short
1914 Lost by a Hair Another Summer Girl Smalley-Weber Rex Universal Studios 1914-06-28 Comedy Short
1914 The House Discordant Mary - he Son's Sweetheart Leonard Rex Universal Studios 1914-07-02 Drama Short 1st w/Leonard
1914 When Fate Disposes Ella Leonard Rex Universal Studios 1914-07-08 Romance Short w/Leonard
1914 Out of the Darkness The Thief's Daughter Rex Universal Studios 1914-07-19 Drama Short w/Leonard
1914 At the Foot of the Stairs The Maid Turner Rex Universal Studios 1914-07-23 Drama Short w/Leonard
1914 An Awkward Cinderella Ella - the New Maid Turner Rex Universal Studios 1914-07-26 Comedy Short w/Leonard
1914 The Symphony of Souls Elaine Ingram Rex Universal Studios 1914-08-06 Romance Short w/Leonard
1914 The Hedge Between Ella Leonard Rex Universal Studios 1914-08-16 Drama Short w/Leonard
1914 The Bowl of Roses Leonard Rex Universal Studios 1914-08-20 Comedy Short w/Leonard
1914 For the Secret Service Constance Chambers Leonard Rex Universal Studios 1914-08-27 Drama Short w/Leonard
1914 The Boob's Nemesis The Farmer's Daughter Leonard Rex Universal Studios 1914-09-06 Drama Short w/Leonard
1914 The Mistress of Deadwood Basin Eveline Danvers Leonard Rex Universal Studios 1914-09-17 Western Short w/Leonard
1914 The Little Sister The Little Sister Rex Universal Studios 1914-09-24 Drama Short w/Leonard
1914 The Boob's Legacy The Boob's Country Sweetheart Leonard Rex Universal Studios 1914-10-01 Comedy Short w/Leonard
1914 Olaf Erickson, Boss The Stranger's Daughter Rex Universal Studios 1914-10-22 Drama Short w/Leonard
1914 The Decision The Younger Sister Rex Universal Studios 1914-10-25 Drama Short w/Leonard
1914 White Roses The Newsgirl Rex Universal Studios 1914-10-29 Drama Short
1914 The Master Key Ruth Gallon Leonard Universal Studios Universal Studios 1914-11-16 Drama Serial (15) w/Leonard
1914 His Uncle's Will The Country Girl Rex Universal Studios 1914-11-19 Drama Short w/Leonard
1915 Mavis of the Glen Mavis Graham Leonard Universal Studios Universal Studios 1915-04-21 Drama Short w/Leonard
1915 Shattered Memories Jane Marsh Leonard Universal Studios Universal Studios 1915-05-25 Drama Short w/Leonard
1915 The Silent Command Ella - the Daughter Leonard Universal Studios Universal Studios 1915-06-02 Mystery Short w/Leonard
1915 A Boob's Romance The Boob's Sweetheart Leonard Universal Studios Universal Studios 1915-06-23 Comedy Short w/Leonard
1915 Betty's Dream Hero Betty Leonard Universal Studios Universal Studios 1915-07-07 Romance Short w/Leonard
1915 Heritage Kate Leonard Universal Studios Universal Studios 1915-07-29 Drama Feature w/Leonard
1915 The Little Blonde in Black The Blonde in Black Leonard Universal Studios Universal Studios 1915-08-19 Romance Short w/Leonard
1915 Jewel Jewel Smalley-Weber Universal Studios Universal Studios 1915-08-30 Drama Feature
1915 Both Sides of Life Ella - a Waif of Circumstance Leonard Universal Studios Universal Studios 1915-09-09 Drama Short
1915 Idols of Clay The Little Girl Next Door Leonard Universal Studios Universal Studios 1915-12-07 Drama Short w/Leonard
1915 Christmas Memories Little Sunshine Leonard Universal Studios Universal Studios 1915-12-21 Drama Feature w/Leonard
1916 The Boob's Victory The Detectress Leonard Universal Studios Universal Studios 1916-01-11 Comedy Short w/Leonard
1916 The Silent Member Undetermined Role Leonard Rex Universal Studios 1916-01-18 Drama Short w/Leonard
1916 Secret Love Arnice Leonard Universal Studios Universal Studios 1916-01-31 Drama Feature
1916 A Child of Circumstances The Little Thief Rex Universal Studios 1916-02-04 Crime Short
1916 Yust from Sweden Hilda Jensen Leonard Universal Studios Universal Studios 1916-02-08 Drama Short w/Leonard
1916 The Winning of Miss Construe Ella Construe Kirkland-Leonard Universal Studios Universal Studios 1916-03-07 Drama Short w/Leonard
1916 The Crippled Hand The Little Girl Leonard Universal Studios Universal Studios 1916-05-01 Drama Feature w/Leonard
1916 The Silent Man of Timber Gulch The Silent Man's Wife Leonard Universal Studios Universal Studios 1916-05-30 Drama Short w/Leonard
1916 The Love Girl Ambrosia Leonard Universal Studios Universal Studios 1916-07-10 Comedy Feature
1916 Little Eve Edgarton Eve Edgarton Leonard Universal Studios Universal Studios 1916-08-21 Comedy Feature
1916 The Heart of a Show Girl Elspeth Marner Worthington Rex Universal Studios 1916-08-28 Drama Short
1916 The Unfinished Case Leonard Rex Universal Studios 1916-10-09 Drama Short w/Leonard
1916 The Bugler of Algiers Gabrielle Rupert Julian Universal Studios Universal Studios 1916-11-27 Drama Feature
1917 Her Soul's Inspiration Mary Weston Conway Universal Studios Universal Studios 1917-01-15 Drama Feature
1917 Polly Redhead Polly Redhead Conway Universal Studios Universal Studios 1917-03-19 Comedy Feature
1917 A Jewel in Pawn Nora Martin Conway Universal Studios Universal Studios 1917-04-16 Drama Feature
1917 The Little Orphan Rene Lescere Conway Universal Studios Universal Studios 1917-06-18 Drama Feature
1917 The Charmer Ambrosia Lee Conway Universal Studios Universal Studios 1917-08-27 Drama Feature
1917 The Spotted Lily Yvonne Solter Universal Studios Universal Studios 1917-10-01 Drama Feature
1917 My Little Boy Clara Wilson Universal Studios Universal Studios 1917-12-17 Drama Feature w/Johnson
1918 New Love for Old Daphne Sawyer Wilson Universal Studios Universal Studios 1918-02-11 Drama Feature w/Johnson
1918 Beauty in Chains Rosarita Wilson Universal Studios Universal Studios 1918-03-11 Drama Feature w/Johnson
1918 A Mother's Secret Angela Douglas Gerrard Universal Studios Universal Studios 1918-04-29 Drama Feature w/Johnson
1918 Which Woman? Doris Standish Browning-Pollard Universal Studios Universal Studios 1918-06-10 Mystery Feature
1918 Three Mounted Men Undetermined Role John Ford Universal Studios Universal Studios 1918-10-07 Western Feature
1918 The Heart of Rachael Billy Hickman Barriscale General Film 1918-10-14 Drama Feature
1919 Under the Top Pansy O'Neill Crisp Lasky Lasky 1919-01-12 Comedy Feature
1921 The Great Reward The Princess Ford* Burston Films National Exchange 1921-05-09 Drama Serial Serial
1922 In the Name of the Law Mary - age 18 Emory Johnson FBO FBO 1922-08-16 Drama Feature w/Johnson
1922 The Heart of Lincoln Ford* New Era Anchor Film 1922-11-01 War Feature
1923 The Third Alarm June Rutherford Emory Johnson FBO FBO 1923-01-07 Drama Feature
1923 The West~Bound Limited Esther Miller Emory Johnson FBO FBO 1923-04-15 Drama Feature
1923 The Flying Dutchman Zoe Carleton FBO FBO 1923-07-29 Drama Feature
1930 Madam Satan uncredited DeMille MGM MGM 1930-09-24 Musical Feature
1931 Street Scene uncredited (part of mob) King Vidor Goldwyn Goldwyn 1931-08-26 Drama Feature
1932 Taxi Trial Spectator (uncredited) Ruth Warner Warner 1932-01-23 Drama Feature
1933 The Bitter Tea of General Yen Mrs. Amelia Hansen (uncredited) Capra Columbia Columbia 1933-01-06 War Feature

References

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  1. ^ "Carl Laemmle entertains Universal City". The Moving Picture Weekly. Moving Picture Weekly Pub. Co. June 23, 1917. p. 733.
  2. ^ "Light Fantastic Note". Los Angeles Times. June 12, 1917. p. 15 – via newspapers.com.
  3. ^ "Plays and Players". Photoplay. Chicago, Photoplay Magazine Publishing Company. September 1917. p. 111.
  4. ^ "Ella Hall Takes the Step". Motion Picture News. Motion Picture News, inc. September–October 1917. p. 2203.
  5. ^ "Cupid Note". Los Angeles Times. September 7, 1917. p. 15 – via newspapers.com.
  6. ^ "California Birth Index, 1905-1995". State of California Department of Health Services, Center for Health Statistics. 2005. Retrieved July 5, 2023. birth Walter Emory
  7. ^ "California Birth Index, 1905-1995". State of California Department of Health Services, Center for Health Statistics. 2005. Retrieved July 5, 2023. Birth Bernard Alfred
  8. ^ "California Birth Index, 1905-1995". State of California Department of Health Services, Center for Health Statistics. 2005. Retrieved July 5, 2023. Birth for Ellen Joanna
  9. ^ "Ella Hall Johnson Through with Husband". Variety. New York, NY: Variety Publishing Company. November 19, 1924. p. 133. Archived from the original on June 30, 2021. Retrieved July 5, 2023.
  10. ^ "Truckman is Held in Death of Child". Los Angeles Times. March 28, 1926. p. 122 – via Newspapers.com.
  11. ^ "Maybe sorrow will bring them happiness". Photoplay. Chicago, Photoplay Magazine Publishing Company. June 1926. Archived from the original on June 14, 2012. Retrieved July 5, 2023.
  12. ^ "California Birth Index, 1905-1995". State of California Department of Health Services, Center for Health Statistics. 2005. Retrieved July 5, 2023. Birth Diana Marie
  13. ^ "Divorce Was The Cure". Movie Classic. Motion Picture Publications, Inc. September 1931.
  14. ^ "News from the Dailies - Pacific Coast". Variety. Variety Inc. May 27, 1925. p. 11. Archived from the original on June 30, 2021. Retrieved July 5, 2023.
  15. ^ "Tie slashed by actress". Los Angeles Times. January 22, 1936. p. 9. Retrieved March 5, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  16. ^ "Ella Hall". AllMovie. Archived from the original on October 30, 2021. Retrieved March 5, 2022.
  17. ^ "California, U.S., Death Index". California Department of Public Health – Vital Records. 2000. Retrieved June 22, 2023.
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