Overture to Glory
1940A humble cantor, Oysher yearns to be an opera singer. He deserts his tiny village to pursue his dream, but when his voice breaks he sheepishly returns, resigned to attending but not singing at the Yom Kippur services. Upon his return, Oysher is informed that his son has died. Out of grief is wrought a miracle: Oysher's voice returns, more powerful than ever. After performing the Day of Atonement services, Oysher suddenly collapses, peacefully joining his son in death. If you wish to see the touching Overture to Glory, by all means seek out a decent print; many extant copies are so washed out that, not only are the English subtitles unreadable, but it's extremely difficult to tell one actor from another.
Acted in
Moyshe Oysher
as Yoel Duvid Strashunsky
Florence Weiss
as Chana Strashunsky, his wife
Maurice Krohner
as Aaron, his father-in-law
John Mylong
as Stanislaw Maniusko
Helen Beverly
as Wanda Mirova (as Helen Beverly)
Baby Winkler
as Peretz Strashunsky
Benjamin Fishbein
as Nute, the stadtl shamez [sexton]
Lazar Freed
as The Stadtl Rabbi
Erika Zaranoya
as Jadwiga Godliewska, blond diva
Ivan Busatt
as Director of the Opera
Leonard Elliott
as Tilchinski, orchestra conductor
Max Willenz
as The Warsaw Shamez [sexton]
Hermann Blaß
as The Costume Supervisor (as Herman Blass)
Omus Hirschbein
as Peretz's Pal
Werner Bass
as The Pianist
Luba Wesoly
as Countess Mirova
Manfried Lewandowski
as A Cantor
Ossip Dymow
as A Count