Overture to Glory
A 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.
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Top Cast
Moyshe Oysher
Yoel Duvid Strashunsky
Florence Weiss
Chana Strashunsky, his wife
Maurice Krohner
Aaron, his father-in-law
John Mylong
Stanislaw Maniusko
Helen Beverly
Wanda Mirova (as Helen Beverly)
Baby Winkler
Peretz Strashunsky
Benjamin Fishbein
Nute, the stadtl shamez [sexton]
Lazar Freed
The Stadtl Rabbi
Erika Zaranoya
Jadwiga Godliewska, blond diva
Ivan Busatt
Director of the Opera
Leonard Elliott
Tilchinski, orchestra conductor
Max Willenz
The Warsaw Shamez [sexton]
Hermann Blaß
The Costume Supervisor (as Herman Blass)
Omus Hirschbein
Peretz's Pal
Werner Bass
The Pianist
Luba Wesoly
Countess Mirova
Manfried Lewandowski
A Cantor
Ossip Dymow
A Count
