Loretta Young & Celeste Holm Shine in 'Come to the Stable' 1949

 

Celeste Holm & Loretta Young are nuns on a mission in 1949's "Come to the Stable."

2oth Century Fox's feel-good comedy-drama Come to the Stable makes a perfect companion piece to star Loretta Young's 1947 Oscar-winning vehicle, The Farmer's Daughter. Young as an indomitable nun pairs well with Loretta's plucky Swedish maid. Both films are pure fairy tales, but smartly and sweetly done. Both movies mix humor, sentiment, and light drama expertly. And Young’s characters achieve great goals, against all odds. 

Celeste Holm & Loretta Young both have plenty of warmth and charm to portray
the nuns who ingratiate others to their cause, in 1949's "Come to the Stable."

In 1949’s Come to the Stable, Loretta Young and Celeste Holm play nuns, Sisters Margaret and Scholastica, respectively. They have arrived from post-war France, where they worked in a hospital. Young's sister is originally from Chicago and Holm's nun is French. Their dream is to build a hospital in a small New England town of Bethlehem. They believe divine providence has brought them, due to seeing the work of a local religious painter, Miss Potts (Elsa Lanchester). Upon arrival, they share their plan and ask for shelter. She agrees and so begins the sisters' journey in seeking land and money to build a local hospital. Along their fundraising adventure, they meet and win over many colorful characters.

Elsa Lanchester plays Miss Potts, the local artist who joins the visiting nuns on their
arduous journey to build a hospital, in 1949's "Come to the Stable."

What puts Come to the Stable over is a well-told story, adapted from Claire Luce Boothe’s tale. Famed for her acerbic play The Women, Boothe was a recent convert to Catholicism when she wrote Come to the Stable, inspired by the true story of two nuns who built an abbey in Bethlehem, Connecticut. The smooth screenplay was written by Oscar Millard and Sally Benson. Henry Koster, one of Fox's long-time studio directors, guides what could have been a cutesy or overly sentimental tale, with a sure touch. The sisters' story is filled with their leaps of faith and clearing the hurdles every time. Even with occasional setbacks, God has got their backs! While the coincidences and characters' change of hearts is pure Hollywood fairy tale, it is done with genuine intelligence and heart. You either suspend disbelief or avoid such movies. If this type of film is done with smarts and heart, I have no problem in going along for the movie ride!

Dooley Wilson as Anthony finds that the nuns portrayed by Celeste Holm & Loretta
 Young have many talents, in 1949's "Come to the Stable."

Along with the imaginative storytelling, the stellar cast is the other major component that causes Come to the Stable to resonate with viewers. Loretta Young and Celeste Holm were both Oscar-nominated for their whole-hearted performances. While you might eye roll at two nuns in makeup, it's pretty subtle for a '40s movie. Young's unyielding strength as the lead nun comes through—Loretta wasn't nicknamed "The Iron Butterfly" for nothing. As one of Hollywood's most devout Catholics, this role was tailor-made for Young. Loretta plays with sincerity and subtle humor. Sister Margaret makes the most of each possible opportunity in her goal toward getting a hospital built, and Young conveys that effortlessly. She handles the serious moments naturally, to great effect. And Loretta has to be one of the most beautiful women ever to be depicted as a nun. Wearing a habit throughout, with only light makeup, and beautifully photographed, Young's face, with her huge expressive eyes, big smile, and bone structure, is a miracle in itself.

Loretta Young as Sister Margaret in 1949's "Come to the Stable." Aside from Young's
 warmth and natural charm, I could stare at Loretta's natural beauty all day!

Celeste Holm as the French nun has droll humor in her line delivery as the ever-chipper Scholastica. One of her best bits is when she gives St. Jude coins to the bookies that she and Margaret visit in their mission in securing the perfect parcel of land. Later, when Scholastica displays a hidden talent for tennis, it’s one of the light-hearted highlights of the film. When she loses, despite her prowess, in trying to win funds, Holm's simple declaration of "I lost" to Young is so touching. 

Celeste Holm's line reading as Sister Scholastica, declaring that she lost the tennis
 game is so sweet. I noticed that Holm & Young went light on the makeup, except
in their big closeups! "Come to the Stable," 1949.

Hugh Marlowe plays a songwriter who lives across from the nuns’ dream location for their hospital. Marlowe, whose voice was perfect for radio, never became a top movie leading man. I first watched Hugh as ‘70s teen, playing patriarch Jim Matthews on the NBC soap, Another World. In his tenure at Fox, Marlowe did appear in some great movies, such as playwright Lloyd Richards in 1950’s All About Eve, where Holm played his supportive wife, Karen. Here, as Bob Masen, Marlowe's songwriter is basically a good guy. But he's tested when Masen finds out the hospital is to be built across the way from his dream pad. And until he sees the light, Bob is put out and peevish, with an entitled "not in my back yard" attitude. This is handled in a surprisingly realistic way. Dooley Wilson, of Casablanca fame, has a scene-stealing role as Bob's Man Friday, Anthony. Wilson also has the best line in the movie. When his boss comes back from Hollywood, he asks about a new nun milling about. Anthony replies, “Don’t know, boss. All the nuns look alike to me!”

Hugh Marlowe as the songwriter who's at odds with nuns Celeste Holm & Loretta Young in 1949's "Come to the Stable." Hugh & Celeste later played husband & wife
in 1950's classic, "All About Eve."

Thomas Gomez as the bookie Luigi Rossi, a comic tough guy who carries a heavy heartache, is marvelous to watch. Regis Toomey as the patient Monsignor is well-written and played, and not condescending to the nun characters. Elsa Lanchester gets a chance to shine in a more fully dimensional version of her quirky screen persona, as the painter who becomes a champion in the nuns' crusade. As often the case with a cast of classic Hollywood contract players, everyone stands out right down to the bit players. Louis Heydt is Jim’s amused musician pal ‘Al Newman,’ an in-joke to this film’s music composer!

Thomas Gomez as bookie big dog Luigi Rossi is a standout in a great cast,
in 1949's "Come to the Stable."

The sets and photography of this wintery New England town are stunning, and the music by Alfred Newman and Mack Gordon are really lovely—all receiving Oscar nominations in their categories. The spiritual music that permeates much of the movie is beautiful presented, as well.

Hugh Marlowe as songwriter Bob Masen sees the light that the nuns' mission
for a hospital is more important than his "not in my backyard" entitlement,
in 1949's "Come to the Stable."

Come to the Stable is a top-notch spiritual tale or fairy tale, take it as you like! The premise that faith—whatever kind you believe in—can help you achieve your dreams is a worthy premise for a movie.

The nuns find shelter in Elsa Lanchester's stable turned artist's studio home.
I love quaint abodes in old movies like 1949's "Come to the Stable."

Loretta Young is
"The Farmer's Daughter."

Here’s my look at The Farmer's Daughter, a Swedish Cinderella story. A surprisingly forward-thinking story as Young goes from farm girl to maid to political candidate. My take on this delightful "Daughter":

https://ricksrealreel.blogspot.com/2023/01/loretta-young-just-fine-as-farmers.html

Loretta Young Just Fine as ‘The Farmer’s Daughter’ 1947

 

As "The Farmer's Daughter," Loretta Young leads a fine cast in this 1947
romantic comedy: Joseph Cotten, Charles Bickford, and Ethel Barrymore.

In my sixth decade, I finally got around to watching the 1947 film The Farmer’s Daughter. I avoided this romantic comedy my entire movie watching life, thinking it silly and sappy.

While The Farmer’s Daughter is a total fairy tale, it is presented as such. The RKO comedy tweaks the premise, offering a wink at its "farmer's daughter" references, since Katie Holstrom is a Swedish Cinderella who makes good. The situations are totally unrealistic, but the dialogue and attitudes are surprisingly smart and forward-thinking for the era.

Loretta Young is "The Farmer's Daughter," who leaves her big family for the big city!

Young’s Katie leaves her farm home for the “capitol city” to become a nurse. The small town girl doesn’t even make it from the bus stop before getting conned out of her savings, by a boozy businessman. Katie finds work at the capital as a maid for the political Morley family. Her refreshing no-nonsense energy ends up charming the entire family, especially the politician son. Through a series of fanciful situations, Katie ends up running for congress! But there are a few bumps along the political stump before Katie Holstrom ends up a winner in every way.  

A bump in the road for "The Farmer's Daughter" is when she takes a ride from this bum!

There's a Frank Capra feel to this movie, with populist political attitudes spoon-fed with a bit of cinematic sugar. Message moviemaker Dore Schary produced this film, which may be the reason. It raises the modern eyebrow that a movie made over 75 years ago brings up the issues of a living wage, politicians paying more attention to their donors than constituents, mudslinging, etc. Some things never change!

Don't worry, this "Farmer's Daughter" doesn't dress in hand-me-downs for long!

The topic that always takes over The Farmer's Daughter was Loretta Young's surprise Oscar win in the title role. The consensus was that Rosalind Russell would win, also for RKO, with Mourning Becomes Electra. This was back in the day, when studios swayed their votes toward their own nominees. So, it was a shock that the studio didn't win for their favored nominee. As for the remaining noms, Joan Crawford waited 20 years since arriving in Hollywood to win an Oscar for Mildred Pierce two years before, so she wasn't gonna get a second one two years later for Possessed. Dorothy McGuire, a fine actress, wasn't even nominated for such recent roles in A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, The Enchanted Cottage, or The Spiral Staircase. Frankly, she only got nominated for her leading lady type role in Gentleman's Agreement because it was a "prestige" picture. That leaves Susan Hayward in Smash-Up: The Story of a Woman. Hayward got raves for her first nominated role, but perhaps the insider rumors that the film was a take-off on “beloved” Bing Crosby’s unhappy marriage to alcoholic Dixie Lee hurt her chances. Also, Susan waited as long as Joan to get her first Oscar. 

Loretta Young's surprise Oscar win overshadowed the charms of "The Farmer's Daughter."

That left Loretta Young, in the rare comedy performance that wins an Academy Award.  Was The Farmer’s Daughter an Oscar-winning performance? The short answer is no. But Young is in very good form here, playing with strength, spirit, and good humor as Katie. Her character is not the butt of jokes, and she perseveres and speaks her mind. A scene where Katie practices with a speech from the Morley family’s late senator to practice her English and public speaking is wonderfully done by a subtle Young.

A lovely scene in "The Farmer's Daughter," when Katie reads the late senator's speech.

Though this not being a realistic style film, I wish someone would have asked Loretta to tone down her glamour mask a bit. Ingrid Bergman, the original choice as Katie, certainly would have, as she often did when playing non-glamour roles. When she's asked about her life on the farm, Young's farm girl describes her indoor and outdoor chores in close-up, which is amusing to think of her harvesting crops and livestock in full makeup! Loretta Young could have certainly dialed it back a bit without losing her allure. Loretta had the natural looks that are so coveted and created by cosmetic procedures today: huge cat eyes, full lips, and high, rounded cheekbones. Also, her modest wardrobe is quickly replaced with stylish, form-fitting Edith Head maid frocks and later political outfits.

"The Farmer's Daughter" is the best-dressed maid in the capitol city!

But Loretta Young’s comedic performance is played straight with no winks to the audience. Which makes her character even more endearing, and you will be rooting for her as she goes from farm girl to house maid to political candidate.

Joseph Cotten was underrated during his era as an actor. Often cast for his warm charm, he usually got his best notices when cast as the villain, like Shadow of a Doubt. But his style was very natural in an era when leading men were hyper-masculine, especially post-war when stars like Heston, Lancaster, and Douglas were intense and often anti-heroes. Of course, as Glenn Morley, the politician son from a political family, he is instantly taken by maiden Loretta, which is a bit icky by today's standards. But Cotten pulls it off. Cotten plays the romantic comedy aspect smoothly and is empathetic in the more serious moments.

Joseph Cotten makes a very appealing leading man in "The Farmer's Daughter."

Ethel Barrymore as Cotton’s political matriarch Agatha brings style and droll humor to her role. And Charles Bickford is cast in curmudgeonly mode as the family butler Joseph, who instantly takes to Katie, despite her high spirited ways. Cotton, Barrymore, and Bickford play off each other well as the political household. And they are all charmed in their own way by Katie, who has worked her way into their hearts.

Katie wins the day and election in 1947's "The Farmer's Daughter." Loretta Young
 with Joseph Cotten and Charles Bickford.

As Katie's brawny brothers, James Arness, Lex Barker, and Keith Andes supply the muscle. During the big brawl at the finale, James Arness was indeed a giant of a hero, stacking up the bad guys like fire wood.

As for Loretta's accent, the voice coach who taught Ingrid Bergman to lose her Swedish accent taught Young hers. As for Young's accent, while I'm no expert, it sounded fine without being distracting. Note that Katie’s brothers are accent-free except for a few “yahs.”

These are the brawny brothers of "The Farmer's Daughter":
James Arness, Lex Barker, and Keith Andes.

The naysayers of The Farmer’s Daughter will pick away at the fairytale plot, Loretta's accent, or the politics not being to their liking. Watched with an open mind, it's a charming, bright movie.

As "The Farmer's Daughter," Katie is plain-spoken and often outspoken!

For Loretta fans, inspired by a true story, here's 1949's 'Come to the Stable' stars Loretta Young & Celeste Holm as two nuns on a mission from God to get a hospital built. This comedy-drama can be looked at as a spiritual tale or Hollywood fairy tale. Either way, it has heart and smarts, with Young & Holm giving wholehearted performances, supported by a wonderful cast. My look at this highly entertaining movie about making dreams come true: 

https://ricksrealreel.blogspot.com/2026/01/loretta-young-celeste-holm-shine-in.html