Greta Nissen
Encyclopedia
Greta Nissen was a Norwegian
-born American film and stage
actress.
, Norway
, Nissen was originally a dancer. She debuted as a solo ballerina on the National Theatre in 1922. She toured in Norway and participated in several Danish films.
Nissen made her Broadway debut as a ballerina in 1924. She had studied ballet with Mikhail Fokine. In early 1924, she came as a member of a Danish ballet troupe to New York, where she was soon hired to do a larger dance numbers for George S. Kaufman
in the musical Beggar on Horseback
. Greta was discovered by film producer Jesse L. Lasky
of Paramount Pictures
, and would appear in more than twenty films.
She appeared in The Wanderer (1925, director Raoul Walsh
). Among her other films were A Wife, The King on Main Street
, The Love Thief, Ambassador Bill
, The Lucky Lady, and Honours Easy. In 1932, she played in The Silent Witness with Weldon Heyburn, who became her first husband. Her film career ended in the mid-1930s after she had appeared in a few British films.
The reviewer believed her hair was more effective when it was brushed down rather than when it was concealed by a small hat. As for her eyes, there was a close affinity in their appearance to those of Sarah Bernhardt
. Mordaunt Hall commented on her acting, saying Miss Nissen gives a sincere and earnest portrayal, always obtaining excellent results with an originality rarely beheld on the screen.
made by Howard Hughes
. She lost the part due to her strong Norwegian accent when the movie was remade to include sound. In 1933 she moved to England. In 1937 she retired from movie acting altogether.
of Parkinson's disease on May 15, 1988. Greta was 82. Her husband said she still received fan letters. Greta had one son, Tor Bruce Nissen Eckert, who in 2005 gave his large collection of Greta Nissen Memorabilia to the Norwegian Emigrant Museum which is located in Ottestad
, county of Hedmark
, Norway
.
Norway
Norway , officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic unitary constitutional monarchy whose territory comprises the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Jan Mayen, and the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard and Bouvet Island. Norway has a total area of and a population of about 4.9 million...
-born American film and stage
Stage (theatre)
In theatre or performance arts, the stage is a designated space for the performance productions. The stage serves as a space for actors or performers and a focal point for the members of the audience...
actress.
Stage and Screen Actress
Born Grethe Rüzt-Nissen in OsloOslo
Oslo is a municipality, as well as the capital and most populous city in Norway. As a municipality , it was established on 1 January 1838. Founded around 1048 by King Harald III of Norway, the city was largely destroyed by fire in 1624. The city was moved under the reign of Denmark–Norway's King...
, Norway
Norway
Norway , officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic unitary constitutional monarchy whose territory comprises the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Jan Mayen, and the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard and Bouvet Island. Norway has a total area of and a population of about 4.9 million...
, Nissen was originally a dancer. She debuted as a solo ballerina on the National Theatre in 1922. She toured in Norway and participated in several Danish films.
Nissen made her Broadway debut as a ballerina in 1924. She had studied ballet with Mikhail Fokine. In early 1924, she came as a member of a Danish ballet troupe to New York, where she was soon hired to do a larger dance numbers for George S. Kaufman
George S. Kaufman
George Simon Kaufman was an American playwright, theatre director and producer, humorist, and drama critic. In addition to comedies and political satire, he wrote several musicals, notably for the Marx Brothers...
in the musical Beggar on Horseback
Beggar on Horseback
Beggar on Horseback is a play by George S. Kaufman and Marc Connelly.A parody of the expressionistic parables that were popular at the time, it rails against the perils of trading one's artistic talents for commercial gain. At its core is Neil McRae, a poor, young classical composer...
. Greta was discovered by film producer Jesse L. Lasky
Jesse L. Lasky
Jesse Louis Lasky, Sr. was a pioneer Hollywood film producer. He was a key founder of Paramount Pictures with Adolph Zukor, and father of screenwriter Jesse L...
of Paramount Pictures
Paramount Pictures
Paramount Pictures Corporation is an American film production and distribution company, located at 5555 Melrose Avenue in Hollywood. Founded in 1912 and currently owned by media conglomerate Viacom, it is America's oldest existing film studio; it is also the last major film studio still...
, and would appear in more than twenty films.
She appeared in The Wanderer (1925, director Raoul Walsh
Raoul Walsh
Raoul Walsh was an American film director, actor, founding member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and the brother of silent screen actor George Walsh...
). Among her other films were A Wife, The King on Main Street
The King on Main Street (1925 film)
__notoc__The King on Main Street is a silent film romantic comedy directed by Monta Bell, released by Paramount Pictures, and starring Adolphe Menjou and Bessie Love. Carlotta Monterey, later wife of Eugene O'Neill from 1929 to 1953, has a small role as Mrs...
, The Love Thief, Ambassador Bill
Ambassador Bill
Ambassador Bill is a 1931 comedy film starring Will Rogers and Marguerite Churchill. Directed by Sam Taylor, the movie also features Greta Nissen and Ray Milland....
, The Lucky Lady, and Honours Easy. In 1932, she played in The Silent Witness with Weldon Heyburn, who became her first husband. Her film career ended in the mid-1930s after she had appeared in a few British films.
Critical Acclaim
A 1925 New York Times review of the silent film A Norwegian Actress described Greta:She was graceful in her movements and expressions, with a constantly changing gaze. The actress was attractive rather than beautiful. Her chin and nose were both somewhat pronounced. Greta's personality was delightful and she never showed an awareness to the audience that she was conscious of being on camera. Her skin was fair and she possessed blonde hair. At different times her coiffure had a somewhat "wild" appearance.
The reviewer believed her hair was more effective when it was brushed down rather than when it was concealed by a small hat. As for her eyes, there was a close affinity in their appearance to those of Sarah Bernhardt
Sarah Bernhardt
Sarah Bernhardt was a French stage and early film actress, and has been referred to as "the most famous actress the world has ever known". Bernhardt made her fame on the stages of France in the 1870s, and was soon in demand in Europe and the Americas...
. Mordaunt Hall commented on her acting, saying Miss Nissen gives a sincere and earnest portrayal, always obtaining excellent results with an originality rarely beheld on the screen.
Missed Opportunity
Greta was the original choice for leading lady in Hell's Angels (1930), an epic filmEpic film
An epic is a genre of film that emphasizes human drama on a grand scale. Epics are more ambitious in scope than other film genres, and their ambitious nature helps to differentiate them from similar genres such as the period piece or adventure film...
made by Howard Hughes
Howard Hughes
Howard Robard Hughes, Jr. was an American business magnate, investor, aviator, engineer, film producer, director, and philanthropist. He was one of the wealthiest people in the world...
. She lost the part due to her strong Norwegian accent when the movie was remade to include sound. In 1933 she moved to England. In 1937 she retired from movie acting altogether.
Death
In the autumn of 1941, she married industrialist Stuart D. Eckert. Nissen died at home in Montecito, CaliforniaMontecito, California
Montecito is an unincorporated community in Santa Barbara County, California. As a census-designated place, it had a population of 8,965 in 2010. This does not include areas such as Coast Village Road, that, while usually considered part of Montecito, are actually within the city limits of Santa...
of Parkinson's disease on May 15, 1988. Greta was 82. Her husband said she still received fan letters. Greta had one son, Tor Bruce Nissen Eckert, who in 2005 gave his large collection of Greta Nissen Memorabilia to the Norwegian Emigrant Museum which is located in Ottestad
Ottestad
Ottestad is a village in the county of Hedmark, Norway. It is located in the municipality of Stange, and is adjacent to Hamar. The densely populated northern parts of Ottestad constitute one of the suburbs of Hamar...
, county of Hedmark
Hedmark
is a county in Norway, bordering Sør-Trøndelag, Oppland and Akershus. The county administration is in Hamar.Hedmark makes up the northeastern part of Østlandet, the southeastern part of the country. It includes a long part of the borderline with Sweden, Dalarna County and Värmland County. The...
, Norway
Norway
Norway , officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic unitary constitutional monarchy whose territory comprises the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Jan Mayen, and the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard and Bouvet Island. Norway has a total area of and a population of about 4.9 million...
.
Selected filmography
- The Wanderer (1925)
- The King on Main StreetThe King on Main Street (1925 film)__notoc__The King on Main Street is a silent film romantic comedy directed by Monta Bell, released by Paramount Pictures, and starring Adolphe Menjou and Bessie Love. Carlotta Monterey, later wife of Eugene O'Neill from 1929 to 1953, has a small role as Mrs...
(1925) - The Lucky LadyThe Lucky LadyThe Lucky Lady is a silent film romance produced by Famous Players-Lasky, distributed by Paramount Pictures, directed by Raoul Walsh, and starring Greta Nissen, Lionel Barrymore, William Collier, and Marc McDermott....
(1926) - The Popular Sin (1926)
- Blind AlleysBlind Alleys (film)Blind Alleys is a 1927 silent American drama film directed by Frank Tuttle and starring Evelyn Brent.- Cast :* Thomas Meighan as Captain Dan Kirby* Evelyn Brent as Sally Ray* Greta Nissen as Maria d'Alvarez Kirby* Hugh Miller as Julio Lachados...
(1927) - Fazil (1928)
- TransatlanticTransatlantic (film)Transatlantic is a 1931 comedy film directed by William K. Howard. It won an Academy Award for Best Art Direction by Gordon Wiles. -Cast:* Edmund Lowe - Monty Greer* Lois Moran - Judy Kramer* John Halliday - Henry D. Graham...
(1931) - Ambassador BillAmbassador BillAmbassador Bill is a 1931 comedy film starring Will Rogers and Marguerite Churchill. Directed by Sam Taylor, the movie also features Greta Nissen and Ray Milland....
(1931) - Silent Witness (1932)
- Honours EasyHonours EasyHonours Easy is a 1935 British drama film directed by Herbert Brenon and starring Greta Nissen, Patric Knowles and Margaret Lockwood. A man tries to take revenge on a rival for a slight seventeen years before, by framing his son for theft...
(1935)