- Hugo Ballin was born on March 7, 1879 in New York City, New York, USA. He was an art director and director, known for Le Diable jaune (1920), The Journey's End (1921) and East Lynne (1921). He was married to Mabel Ballin. He died on November 27, 1956 in Santa Monica, California, USA.
- SpouseMabel Ballin(? - November 27, 1956) (his death)
- 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.
- Noted muralist.
- [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.
- 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.
- [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.
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