Come to the Stable *** (1949, Loretta Young, Celeste Holm, Hugh Marlowe, Elsa Lanchester, Thomas Gomez, Dooley Wilson, Regis Toomey) – Classic Movie Review 7249

Director Henry Koster’s 1949 true story comedy drama Come to the Stable stars Loretta Young and Celeste Holm as French nuns Sister Margaret and Sister Scholastica, who arrive and set out win the hearts and help of the colourful locals in order to build a children’s hospital in the small town of Bethlehem in New England. Oscar Millard and Sally Benson’s screenplay is based on the story by Clare Booth Luce. It was nominated for seven Oscars but won none.

Come to the Stable is sentimental and old-fashioned, and a bit on the over-sweet side. But it is played charmingly and 20th Century Fox gives it careful production, and the film does have charisma, even though Joseph LaShelle shoots in black and white.

Young, Holm and Elsa Lanchester (as Amelia Potts, the religious painter who lets them use her stable) were all Oscar nominated, Young as Best Actress, Holm and Lanchester as Best Supporting Actress, probably splitting the vote so neither won. Clare Boothe Luce was nominated for Best Cinematography, Black-and-White, Lyle R Wheeler, Joseph C Wright, Thomas Little and Paul S Fox for Best Art Direction-Set Decoration, Black-and-White, and Alfred Newman (music) and Mack Gordon (lyrics) for Best Music, Original Song for the song ‘Through a Long and Sleepless Night’.

Also in the cast are Hugh Marlowe as composer Bob Masen, Miss Potts’s neighbour and landlord, Thomas Gomez, Dorothy Patrick, Basil Ruysdael as The Bishop, Regis Toomey, Mike Mazurki, Dooley Wilson, Henri Letondal, Walter Baldwin and Tim Huntley.

In this true story of the Abbey of Regina Laudis, Sister Margaret is based on Mother Benedict Duss, Sister Scholastica is based on Sister Mary-Aline Trilles de Warren and Amelia Potts is based on artist Lauren Ford. The New England small town of Bethlehem is clearly modelled after Bethlehem, Connecticut, as the Abbey of Regina Laudis in that real town and its proximity to New York City.

Loretta Young (1913–2000) won an Oscar for The Farmer’s Daughter (1947).

Celeste Holm (1917–2012) won an Oscar for Gentleman’s Agreement (1947).

Elsa Lanchester was also Oscar nominated for Witness for the Prosecution (1957) and won a Golden Globe.

© Derek Winnert 2018 Classic Movie Review 7249

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