DEAR RUTH
US, 1947, 95 minutes, Black and white.
Joan Caulfield, William Holden, Mona Freeman, Edward Arnold, Billy De Wolfe, Mary Phillips, Virginia Welles.
Directed by William D. Russell.
Dear Ruth was a successful play at the end of World War II, written by Norman Krasna, playwright and screenwriter who won an Oscar for Princess O’ Rourke.
It is set in 1944, the American war effort in the small American towns where continued life as usual, judges, banks, school, family – along with the younger generation involved in social protests, letter writing, thinking the older generation was fuddy-duddy.
The initial focus is on Miriam, Mona Freeman, and her protests. Then a pilot arrives, a charming William Holden, who has come to see Ruth, the older sister, Joan Caulfield. The family then realise what Miriam has done, Ruth going out with Bill out of courtesy and not telling him the truth, intending to let him go on his new appointment. Her fiance, Albert, comedian Billy De Wolfe, has many exasperated scenes.
Ruth tells Bill the truth. He is properly respectful. However, Ruth’s father, played by Edward Arnold, makes her realise she loves Bill and he performs the wedding ceremony.
There was a sequel with the same cast, Dear Wife (1949) and a further sequel featuring Mona Freeman, Dear Brat – also starring Billy De Wolfe, Edward Arnold and Mary Phillips who is the mother in all three films.
It is often noted that J. D. Salinger saw the cinema marquee highlighting the stars for the film and came up with the name Holden Caulfield for The Catcher in the Rye.
1. A popular postwar film? Romantic? Perspective on the war and the war effort? Leading to sequels?
2. The film based on a play, the focus on scenes and dialogue rather than opened out? Generally confined to the house? Tour of New York City? The role play in Grand Central Station? The musical score?
3. The atmosphere in 1944, the small American town, the American family, the judge and his work, mother at home, the daughters, work at the bank, the younger daughter and her protests? Writing letters to the Armed Forces? Morale boosting?
4. Introduction to the family, Miriam, her age, her range of protests, the condemnation of the older generation, seeing her generation as socially conscious, her causes, signing petitions, letters to government, enrolling her father for blood donation? Her parents’ reaction? Ruth’s reaction?
5. The parents, genial, reactions to Miriam? Enthusiasm about Ruth and the marriage to Albert?
6. Ruth, her age, work with the bank, the relationship with Albert? The issue of smoking, his apology? The date for the wedding?
7. Bill, his arrival, the parents’ reaction, welcoming him, surprised, covering? His explanations, the letters, calling Ruth Baby, his going to the bank, watching Ruth, ordering all the gifts, the lilacs, popcorn, toys?
8. Ruth, the surprise, greeting Bill, his romantic response, her reactions? The decision not to tell him the truth?
9. Miriam, writing the letters, 60, quoting poetry? And the end and the revelation of the sailor arriving having received Ruth’s letters?
10. Albert, his reactions, watching Bill and Ruth, the kissing, staying with the parents, the late night, his exasperation?
11. Ruth and Bill out, the meal, dancing? Ruth learning more about him? The deciding not to tell him because he was leaving? At home, questioning Miriam about the letters, the boxful, her reading them till the early hours? The effect?
12. Everybody going out on the town, the tours, the significant buildings, the role-play Grand Central, Bill doing the kissing, losing Albert and his returning home?
13. Bill’s sister arriving, the break with his partner, his arriving? The discussion, the reconciliation, the plan for the wedding, the ceremony?
14. New orders, Ruth and the farewell, Bill going to Florida? Ruth telling Bill the truth? His response, doing the decent thing?
15. Ruth talking with her father, Albert and his phoning for the Church appointment? Ruth realising she was attracted to Bill, the document, the ceremony, hurrying to the station?
16. A romantic comedy of the period?
