Hugo Ballin NA (March 7, 1879 – November 27, 1956) was born in New York City and studied at the Art Students League of New York. When the Wisconsin State Capital was built in the early 20th Century, Ballin created 26 murals for its interior. In 1917 he began working for Goldwyn Pictures in New Jersey as an art director and production designer and in 1921 he moved to Los Angeles at the request of Samuel Goldwyn. He was soon also directing, writing, and producing silent films for his own production company. He was married to the actress Mabel Croft Ballin.When Hollywood began making talking pictures, Ballin left the film industry to return to his first career as a classically trained artist. He became one of the foremost muralists in the Los Angeles area, producing murals which still stand at landmark locations such as Griffith Observatory, Wilshire Boulevard Temple, LA County General Hospital (now known as Los Angeles County-USC Medical Center), and Burbank City Hall.Ballin was made a National Academician in 1940. He is buried in Woodlawn Memorial Cemetery, Santa Monica.
March 7, 1879, New York City, New York, United States
Died
November 27, 1956, Santa Monica, California, United States
Place Of Birth
New York City, New York, USA
Profession
Art Director, Director, Production Designer
Education
Art Students League of New York
Spouse
Mabel Ballin (m. 1917–1956)
Movies
Vanity Fair, The Prairie Wife, Baby Mine, Thais
Star Sign
Pisces
#
Quote
1
[on being asked what he thought of censorship] Nothing. But censors are really human, you know, and therefore cannot live forever; and when a censor approves a picture it does not mean that it is moral. Fortunately, some censors are very innocent.
2
I do think that the biggest thing about a picture is not what is said or done, but how it is said or done. And the first rule is never make a picture because you see it through the eyes of a success. Imitation is the sincerest flattery - and the worse bore. The second is, never let what the public is going to say worry you while you are making a picture. Wait until after they say it.
3
[on why he stopped being a painter to become a film director] Because even a great painting is seen only by about 60,000 people in a year, and the same number see a good motion picture in one hour.
#
Fact
1
American art director, director and producer of silent films, trained in Rome. Began with Goldwyn Pictures in New Jersey in 1917. Many of his films starred his wife, the actress Mabel Ballin. He was also a renowned painter and muralist. His designs include the commemorative medallion for the 1932 Los Angeles Olympics. He also painted the murals at the Griffith Park Observatory in 1934. Ballin retired from the film industry shortly after the advent of sound.
$1.9 Million
