University of Virginia Library

As She Sees 'Em

What do you think of our American stars?”

“Oh—Greta Garbo marvelous—but she does not need act. She just be Greta. Mary Pickford do some very nice acting. One picture I see, she acts with greatness. It is simple story. Her father is just a cop-man. Mary prepares a birthday party for him. She makes a little tie for his neck, and she puts by his plate a little brush-teeth. Mary's father does not come, and her face when sees other cop-man—it was very great acting. I never see more better. Then there is Norma Talmadge. Some people say: 'Her husband Joe Schenck[4]. He make her.' Not so. Anywhere she will make success because Norma is very great actress. I very much adore also Lillian Gish. Mary Philbin is so sweet, but too shy. It is pity. She must wake up.”

There were other people waiting, waiting for Camilla, and I pushed back my chair.

“Ach!” said she, regarding mournfully our totally empty plates, “You have not eat so much. I will get some more feed.”

“No, no. Oh, by the way—what do you think of American men? Do you prefer them to European?” Camilla shook her head vigorously.

“I will tell you. For me—is better European,” she said, the first foreign star who failed to eulogize our American men. On the contrary Camilla lowered her voice and glanced surreptitiously toward the door, as though she feared someone might be listening at the keyhole.

“I will tell you. When European marries, is wife for all time. American married men very easy to take from wife. Even if got nice pretty wife and little baby. Is all same. I could get any husband if I want. So easy. Five minutes, maybe. Only I don't want.”