The New Pictures

Come to the Stable (20th Century--ox) is a lighthearted parable of faith which shows innocence and piety triumphing over worldliness and greed. Without being either preachy or selfconscious, the picture turns a religious situation into good entertainment, at the same time mixing its chuckles with a few well-timed umps in the throat.

The basic comedy idea, from a story by Clare Boothe Luce, is that pious innocence can be as indomitable a force as bland ruthlessness. In this case, the pious innocence is personified by two nuns. Since Sister Margaret and Sister Scholastica are played by Loretta Young and Celeste Holm, the nuns not only have God on their side, but considerable personal charm as well.

Having spent the war years in France, the sisters arrive in New England with their hearts set on founding a children's hospital. The fact that they have neither land nor money--and not even the wholehearted support of the bishop of the diocese--is no particular worry to them. The motto of the Order of Holy Endeavor, to which they belong, is Oramus et Laboramus (We pray and work). Sisters Margaret and Scholastica do more than that.

With sweet smiles and cold determination, the sisters move in on and eventually take possession of the converted-stable studio of a dithery painter (Elsa Lan-chester). They also wheedle the deed to a valuable piece of real estate from a notorious gangster (Thomas Gomez), and almost drive a songwriting neighbor (Hugh Marlowe) out of his mind before he capitulates. In their childlike faith, they brush aside every staggering obstacle in their path. When things look really tough, they say a prayer to St. Jude, patron of the impossible.

Director Henry Koster has told this gentle, humorous story with taste and a light touch. Best comedy bit: as the two nuns whiz through Manhattan in a borrowed jeep, Sister Margaret, the superbly efficient driver, explains to Sister Scholastica : "You'll notice, Sister, that I must signal to make a turn. It is the law." So saying, she makes a snappy U turn smack in the middle of Fifth Avenue, and parks on the curb in front of St. Patrick's Cathedral.

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