Dear Ruth is a 1947 romantic comedy film starring Joan Caulfield, William Holden, Mona Freeman, and Edward Arnold. It was based on the Broadway play of the same name by Norman Krasna. A teenage girl has a soldier for a pen pal, but uses her older sister's name and photograph. Then the man shows up while on a two-day leave.
Cast
- Joan Caulfield as Ruth Wilkins
- William Holden as Lieutenant William Seacroft
- Mona Freeman as Miriam Wilkins
- Edward Arnold as Judge Wilkins
- Billy De Wolfe as Albert Kummer
- Mary Philips as Mrs. Edie Wilkins
- Virginia Welles as Martha Seacroft
- Kenny O'Morrison as Sergeant Chuck Vincent
Play
Norman Krasna had written a serious play, The Man with Blond Hair, which received a tepid response. He says Moss Hart suggested he write a commercial comedy instead along the lines of Junior Miss. Krasna based the family in the play on that of Groucho Marx, who was a good friend and occasional collaborator. The play was named in honour of Krasna's first wife, Ruth.
The original production of the play was directed by Moss Hart and starred John Dall. It was a large success, running for 680 performances.
Film rights were sold for a reported $450,000.
In 2011 there was a well-received revival in New York City by the off-off-Broadway company Retro Productions which was nominated for a New York Innovative Theatre Awards in Scenic Design.
Production
As part of the purchase price for the play, Paramount had the rights to use the characters for a sequel.
References
External links
- Dear Ruth at the Internet Movie Database
- Dear Ruth at the TCM Movie Database
- Dear Ruth at AllMovie
- Dear Ruth at the Internet Broadway Database