Dear Ruth
| Dear Ruth | |
|---|---|
 Movie poster | |
| Directed by | William D. Russell |
| Produced by | Paul Jones |
| Written by |
Norman Krasna (play) Arthur Sheekman |
| Starring |
Joan Caulfield William Holden Mona Freeman Edward Arnold |
| Distributed by | Paramount Pictures |
Release dates |
|
Running time | 95 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Box office | $3.8 million (US rentals)[1] |
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
| Dear Ruth | |
|---|---|
| Written by | Norman Krasna |
| Date premiered | 13 December 1944 |
| Place premiered | Henry Millers Theatre, Broadway |
| Original language | English |
| Genre | Comedy |
| Setting | The living-room of the Wilkins home, Kew Gardens, Long Island. Late Summer, 1944. |
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.[2] The play was named in honour of Krasna's first wife, Ruth.[3]
The original production of the play was directed by Moss Hart and starred John Dall. It was a large success, running for 680 performances.[4]
Film rights were sold for a reported $450,000 with the proviso that any movie not be made until the play finished a two year run.[5][6]
Production
As part of the purchase price for the play, Paramount had the rights to use the characters for a sequel.[7]
Columbia Pictures sued Krasna and the filmmakers for plagiarism claiming the story infringed copyright in a story they had bought called Dear Mr Private. They were unsuccessful.[8]
Reception
The film was successful at the box office.[9]
References
- ↑ "Top Grossers of 1947", Variety, 7 January 1948 p 63
- ↑
- McGilligan, Patrick, "Norman Krasna: The Woolworth's Touch", Backstory: Interviews with Screenwriters of Hollywood's Golden Age, University of California Press,1986 p218, 226
- ↑ Norman Krasna's Wife Is Awarded Divorce, The Washington Post (1923–1954) [Washington, D.C] 28 Apr 1950: 3.
- ↑ Dear Ruth at Playbill
- ↑ SCREEN NEWS: 'DEAR RUTH' IS BOUGHT FOR REPORTED $450,000 Special to THE NEW YORK TIMES.. New York Times (1923–Current file) [New York, N.Y] 08 Feb 1945: 14.
- ↑ Biggest Film Firm: Paramount's Puzzler: Will Attendance Slide Be Brief or Prolonged? Takes Precautions: Markets Borderline Movies, Keeps Best in 9-Month Backlog Televised Newsreels Tried Paramount Pictures' Puzzler: Will Drop In Attendance Be Brief Or Prolonged? Company Is Taking Precautions Markets Borderline Movies, Keeps Best in 9-Months Backlog; Pre-Tests Films BY JOSEPH W. TAYLOR Staff Correspondent of THE WALL STREET JOURNAL. Wall Street Journal (1923 - Current file) [New York, N.Y] 21 July 1947: 1.
- ↑ PARAMOUNT PLANS 'DEAR RUTH' SEQUEL: Studio's Production 'Dear Wife' Will Use Available Members of Original Film's Cast By THOMAS F. BRADYSpecial to THE NEW YORK TIMES.. New York Times (1923-Current file) [New York, N.Y] 06 Dec 1947: 11.
- ↑ https://archive.org/stream/variety165-1947-03#page/n196/mode/1up
- ↑ https://archive.org/stream/variety171-1948-08#page/n180/mode/1up
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