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Show Howl Broke Into H The Movies f? Copyright by Hat C Herman " " " By GRETA NISSEN MY ENTRANCE into motion picture pic-ture ranks was quite unlike that of most girls, who rise from the extra ranks, the beauty contests and the high schools of America. From earliest childhood I was schooled for the stage and the opera, in my native land, Norway. When 1 gave up my aspirations for a stage future fu-ture and cast my lot with the movies, it was more of circumstance, perhaps, per-haps, than any other factor. I am an actress by early environment environ-ment and training, then, and a motion picture actress by accident, or by Fate, whichever we may choose to call it. When I was first able to walk, mj mother began teaching me dancing steps, and when I was six she placed me with the Royal opera of Copenhagen, Copen-hagen, where I was taught dancing in addition to the regular course of instruction for children of my age. I remained in this institution for ten years, specializing in pantomime and dancing. It was during my latter years with the Royal opera that my work attracted attract-ed the attention of King Haakon and Queen Maud of Norway. Their interest inter-est enabled me to win a contract with the National theater of Scandinavia, and I made my first notable public appearance under the sponsorship of royalty, an auspicious beginning for a girl only sixteen. Several months later I was presented to Prince Karl of Sweden as the star of a charity bazaar in Stockholm. A year later I came to America to tour the states, giving exhibitions of pantomime and dancing. Not long after I arrived, however, Broadway beckoned, and at the suggestion of Fokine, my ballet master in Europe and New York, I accepted the role of Fairy Princess in "Beggar on Horsfr- f . 1 l s i i J 1 Greta Nissen. back," which proved one of the stage sensations of that season. It was during the early part of my engagement in this play which lasted a full season of twelve months on Broadway, that I was first inspired with screen ambitions. Mr. Jesse L. Lasky, of the Famous Players-Lasky corporation, admired my work and offered of-fered me a contract in pictures. I did not jump at the opportunity i' as I might have were I not so fond of the stage. Until this time I was firmly resolved to devote my career to the legitimate drama, for which I had trained all my life. But the lure of screen fame was Irresistible and I signed with Mr. Lasky. I was fortunate in getting excellent ex-cellent roles at the outset, Including the feminine leads in "The Wanderer," "Blond and Brunette," "The Bride of Tonight," and other successful photoplays. photo-plays. If Mr. Lasky had not admired my work in "Beggar on Horseback" I probably would still be on the stage. And there are times, I confess, when I long for the footlights, although I am convinced that the talking screen offers greater opportunities, reaching vaster audiences and requiring equal talent for success. WNU Sorvlca |