OBERAMMERGAU PASSION PLAY

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 700, 27 June 1929, Page 16

OBERAMMERGAU PASSION PLAY

AT NATIONAL THEATRE TOMORROW For centuries past pilgrimages from all parts have made Oberammergau and Freiburg famous. Xestling at the alpine foothills in Germany, these villages present at intervals of five and ten years respectively a spectacle awe-inspiring and reverent. This wonderful presentation is “The Passion Play of the Life of Christ.” The film record of the sacred drama as presented by the Freiburg players is the only authentic cinematograph record ever made, and the conditions laid down preclude another one ever being taken. The actors* though simple villagers, are so sincere, so devout in the various roles they undertake, that they carry immense audiences completely away, many being overcome by the elemental simplicity yet convincing sincerity. Nowhere else in the world could such wonderful characterisations be gathered. Actors in the ordinary sense could never portray the leading roles so reverently, so convincing and so intelligently. The settings are in keeping with the tragic story that is unfolded, and in viewing this sublime enactment of the world’s greatest tragedy, one can hardly conceive that, in ordinary life, the actors are just plain everyday folk. This wonderful and unique production has the complete endorsement of many high church dignitaries. It will commence a special season at the National Theatre tomorrow, being presented with special orchestral music. When a screening of this film was given in Wellington recently the Coadjutor Archbishop of Wellington, the Right Rev. Dr. O’Shea, wrote as follows: “I wish'to thank you for giving me the opportunity of being present at the screening of the Passion Play on Wednesday last. I was greatly pleased with this picture, which is most devotional. It is quite evident that the players have entered faithfully into the spirit of the sublime theme. I am sure it will do good to all who see it. I hope that Catholics will make it their business to do so. Indeed, no one can view this picture without deriving benefit. Thanking you again, and wishing the screening of the Passion Play every succes.”

Paul Page is a discovery of Stoloff. The young director was in New York shooting atmospheric shots for “Speakeasy,” and on a hunt for a juvenile lead. After spending two weeks at Broadway shows without success he wandered into the Palace Theatre, saw Page in a vaudeville dramatic playlet —and signed him to a contract. One of the pictures in which Glenn Tryon will star next year for Universal is to be entitled “Down Went McGinty.” This is an original story by Paul Sydney, which was especially written as a singing and dancing picture along the lines of Tryon’s role in “Broadway.”