A few years ago, when pictures made in Europe were common on the American screens, Asta Nielsen's abilities as a vampire and comedy lead were recognized by most patrons. She has appeared in Nordisk and other Continental brands and is of the black-haired, black-eyed type and rather slender. A story is told of a patron new to pictures who asked, «Who is that holding a stick up in front of the screen?» «That isn't any stick», he was admonished, «that's Asta Nielsen».
She does give that up-and-down effect with a tight fitting silk dress on and has the ability to make excellent comedy use of it. But her mobility of countenance and the power of registering with dramatic effectiveness all kinds of emotions has given her high standing as an artist. She may make use of tears, but they are not needed to show her grief. Among so many impressions as a screen critic gets, it is hard to remember more than a general impression of work seen three years ago; but the writer has enjoyed many of her pictures and terror and laughter are equally convincing in her. […]
Her first film appearance was in a picture made for the Nordisk in 1912 and has worked under several brands since. She arrived in America this week on the United States, a Danish steamer, and is at the Biltmore at present. The war has, of course, given the death blow to artistic activity in Europe. Miss Nielsen probably finds it a good time to take a vacation. She intends to visit the Pacific Coast and may go on to Japan. It is affirmed that she has not come here under contract and is not connected with any film maker on this side of the water.
From The Moving Picture World, September 1, 1917.