Greta Nissen

Greta Ruzt-Nissen was born in Oslo, Norway, on January 30, 1906. At 19 she appeared in Raoul Walsh's "The Wanderer" (1925), her second Hollywood film. Things were going well for Greta and after several starring vehicles, she was signed at $2500 a week for the lead in Howard Hughes' epic Hell's Angels (1930). Unfortunately, Hughes spent so much time reworking the aerial battle scenes that what began as a silent film found itself in the sound era and Greta's heavy Norwegian accent was not deemed acceptable. As a result, Hughes scrapped all the footage with Greta and replaced her with Jean Harlow - at $250 a week. The film of course launched Harlow to stardom. However, throughout the 1930's Greta made seventeen more films, including the well reviewed The Circus Queen Murder (1933) opposite Adolphe Menjou, before her last role in Cafe Colette in 1937. She made a total of 31 films. Greta married well and lived quietly until her death in 1988.

A 1925 New York Times review of her first Hollywood outing, "Lost - A Wife", 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.

Greta Nissen - What do you think - Allure?