Dear Ruth

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Dear Ruth
Written by Norman Krasna
Date premieredDecember 13, 1944
Place premieredHenry Millers Theatre, Broadway
Original languageEnglish
GenreComedy
SettingThe living-room of the Wilkins home, Kew Gardens, Long Island. Late Summer, 1944.

Dear Ruth is a successful 1944 Broadway play written by Norman Krasna. It ran for 680 performances.

Contents

History

Krasna wrote a serious play, The Man with Blond Hair , which received a tepid response. He said that 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. [1] [2]

The play was named in honor 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 big success, running for 680 performances. [4]

Film rights were sold for a reported $450,000 with the proviso that a movie not be made until the play finished a two-year run. [5] [6] The film, also titled Dear Ruth , premiered on June 10, 1947.

Dear Ruth was also published as an Armed Services Edition, distributed to American servicemen during World War II.[ citation needed ]

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References

  1. McGilligan, Patrick, "Norman Krasna: The Woolworth's Touch", Backstory: Interviews with Screenwriters of Hollywood's Golden Age, University of California Press, 1986. pp. 218, 226
  2. Davis, George Kidder. "Columbia vs Krasna". Supreme Court Appellate Division-First Department.
  3. "Norman Krasna's Wife Is Awarded Divorce". The Washington Post . April 28, 1950.
  4. Dear Ruth at Playbill
  5. "Screen News: 'Dear Ruth' Is Bought For Reported $450,000". The New York Times . February 8, 1945.
  6. Joseph W. Taylor (July 21, 1947). "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". The Wall Street Journal .