# Ella Hall

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

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.

## Career

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

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. 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.
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. 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.
Their first son (Richard), Walter Emory, was born on January 27, 1919, in Santa Barbara, California. Their second son Bernard Alfred was born on September 26, 1920, in Santa Barbara, California. Their daughter Ellen Joanna was born in Los Angeles, California, on April 18, 1923.
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. 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. He was five years old. Bernard's death would provide a catalyst for the couple's first reconciliation.
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.
   "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"
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!"
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.
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.
Two of their children became actors, Ellen Hall and Richard Emory.

## Death

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

## Filmography

◆   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 | |