Passion in 1946?

The little Bavarian Alpine village where the U.S. 10th Armored Division is stationed buzzed with rumors. The town of ornately painted, deep-eaved houses where G.I.s stroll, lounge and (officially) do not fraternize is Oberammergau, world-famed for its 300-year-old Passion Play. Of Oberammergau's 2,300 inhabitants, 700 are the saints, angels and Nazarenes of the awesome drama. Gossip wondered whether there would be a presentation of the Passion next year. Ticking off the names of former Pharisees and Apostles, citizens canvassed the possibilities the war had left.

Since 1634, when Oberammergau's elders pledged perpetual production of the play at ten-year intervals (if God would spare their village from the plague), the schedule has been broken only three times: in 1870 by the Franco-Prussian War, in 1920 by the aftermath of World War I, in 1940 by World War II. The last performance, in 1934, celebrated the Play's tercentenary.

Prospects for 1946 appear none too bright. Said Anni Rutz (who has twice played the Virgin Mary): "We lost more than 100 men in the war and new characters must be trained for the roles. Willy Bierling, who played John, is now a prisoner of war in the United States. Many women have married since 1934." (In most roles, married women are barred. Ritto Kosch, daughter of the town druggist, slated to play Mary Magdalene in 1940, has since disqualified herself by acquiring a husband and two children.) Sure of a role is Hans Zwink, Judas in 1934, who follows in the steps of his father (Judas), grandfather (Peter) and great-grandfather (Christus). The current Christus, Alois Lang, lives in a barn behind his family's famed hotel (now Divisional HQ). Only possible hindrance to 54-year-old Lang's candidacy will be the grueling ordeal of hanging for 30 minutes on the cross.

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