COME TO THE STABLE is a film I avoided seeing for a long, long time but I finally got around to seeing it tonight on TCM. I thought it would be sticky, sentimental and slick--and it was.
Yet, it's done in an entertaining manner with just the right amount of warmth and lightness of touch to make it a commercial hit. But in all honesty, it's an unremarkable tale about two nuns who go about their mission of building a children's hospital on good faith that the Lord will provide a means of doing so. And, of course, He does exactly that in time for a happy ending.
The actors are given very light material but the performances are first rate. Loretta Young and Celeste Holm are spirited and charming as the nuns, Thomas Gomez is excellent as a racketeer with a heart of gold and Elsa Lanchester excels as a dotty painter.
Hugh Marlowe displays a fine sense of humor as a man whose life in the country is turned upside down by an invasion of happy nuns intent on building a hospital near his grounds. He is the real surprise of the film, much more animated than usual (better than he was in "All About Eve") as a composer annoyed by the well-intentioned sisters who invade his privacy.
It's a film of gentle humor and a few well-earned chuckles along the way, directed in journeyman style by Henry Koster and well photographed by Joseph LaShelle. Not easy to understand is why Young and Holm were nominated for Oscars, since their material is hardly substantial enough to warrant the prestigious award. On the other hand, the supporting role Elsa Lanchester plays is a standout and Dooley Wilson is fine as Marlowe's multi-faceted butler and driver.
Yet, it's done in an entertaining manner with just the right amount of warmth and lightness of touch to make it a commercial hit. But in all honesty, it's an unremarkable tale about two nuns who go about their mission of building a children's hospital on good faith that the Lord will provide a means of doing so. And, of course, He does exactly that in time for a happy ending.
The actors are given very light material but the performances are first rate. Loretta Young and Celeste Holm are spirited and charming as the nuns, Thomas Gomez is excellent as a racketeer with a heart of gold and Elsa Lanchester excels as a dotty painter.
Hugh Marlowe displays a fine sense of humor as a man whose life in the country is turned upside down by an invasion of happy nuns intent on building a hospital near his grounds. He is the real surprise of the film, much more animated than usual (better than he was in "All About Eve") as a composer annoyed by the well-intentioned sisters who invade his privacy.
It's a film of gentle humor and a few well-earned chuckles along the way, directed in journeyman style by Henry Koster and well photographed by Joseph LaShelle. Not easy to understand is why Young and Holm were nominated for Oscars, since their material is hardly substantial enough to warrant the prestigious award. On the other hand, the supporting role Elsa Lanchester plays is a standout and Dooley Wilson is fine as Marlowe's multi-faceted butler and driver.