User reviews

This is a funny, tender film. I recommend it to anyone who is a fan of romantic comedies. It is where I first fell in love with William Holden. He is DELIGHTFUL here, to say the least. Dear Ruth has a great cast and it's well written. It's a funny and sweet tale of mistaken identity. A great family film. I've been suggesting it on TCM.com for years, but they won't play it so far. If you have a moment and have seen this film, please suggest it on TCM.com. I can't find it on DVD or VHS. I haven't seen it in 15 or 20 years or so, but I remember it well. It was unforgettable! Again, it is one of William Holden's most romantic, sweetest roles.

On Broadway Dear Ruth by Norman Krasna debuted on December 13, 1944 and ran for 680 performances until 1946. By the time it got to the silver screen there certainly were enough people in the audiences who got all the wartime references in the story though peace had been around for two years at that point.

John Dall and Virginia Gilmore starred on Broadway and in the film their roles were played by William Holden and Joan Caulfield. If there ever was a 'smiling Jim' role for Bill Holden as he liked to call the nice guy parts he was stuck typecast in the Forties this part in Dear Ruth is the quintessential. He even played this same part in a sequel entitled Dear Wife and virtually the same type part in Apartment For Peggy.

Caulfield is the eldest of two daughters of Edward Arnold and Mary Phillips. The youngest is a rebellious bobby soxer played by Mona Freeman. To do her bit for the morale Freeman wrote a letter to an unknown soldier Holden who was in the Army Air Corps. They become soul mates in the correspondence, but he encloses a picture of Caulfield and signs her name to it. Not pleasing to Caulfield and even less to her 4F co-worker Billy DeWolfe.

After that they see the earnest and idealistic Holden and the whole family just can't let him down when he surprises her with a 48 hour pass visit. She goes through with the masquerade, even DeWolfe reluctantly agrees.

The film is cute and has some laughs, but really if a woman had a chase between the Bills, Holden and DeWolfe who do you really think she would choose?

One of the most delightfully hilarious movies ever made.

That's not an overstatement. If you've never seen William Holden in a comedy, this film shows how brilliant he was. This is a real gem,and it's simply baffling, to say the least, why it's languished on the shelf somewhere, without having ever been released on VHS or DVD. It's actually quite a relevant film for these times, about a veteran returning from war and a wartime pen-pal correspondence that results in a big mixup. Oddly, you can get the sequel, but not this one. Whoever manages these things, please: make it available for us. Even the classic movie channels haven't shown this.

IMDB reviewers of a certain age may remember the 1944 Norman Krasna Broadway comedy hit "Dear Ruth." These folks would have entered their high school years just as WWII was mercifully winding down, and they thoroughly enjoyed its topical wartime humor, adolescent high jinks, numerous misunderstandings and gentle innocent laughs. It is quite possible that their graduating class play might have been one of the many stage incarnations of DR that then seemed to come out of nowhere in high schools all over America as we moved into the postwar 1940s.

DR perfected the now familiar cliche-driven plot device of a young "miss fixit" teenage girl (Mona Freeman) initiating a romantic penpal correspondence with a naive unknowing serviceman by pretending to be her older more age-appropriate sister. The resulting exchange of letters produced all kinds of interesting complications from this situation that propelled the plot to its inevitable satisfactory resolution and conclusion. DR was so successful that its 1947 big screen version starring an extremely youthful William Holden and an equally attractive Joan Caulfield generated no less than two more almost equally popular sequels within the next few years (Dear Wife (1949) and Dear Brat (1951))!

Although critical praise for the film version of DR may have been somewhat muted, audiences seemed to appreciate the spirited enthusiasm of the lead actors, the splendid additional contributions by the veteran cast of character performers and the good work done by director William D. Russell. And while it is certainly true that by 1947 some of DR's wartime humor began to feel dated, its pace never let up as the likable cast entertained us for 95 laugh-filled minutes.

In DR, Holden clearly demonstrated an appealing natural aspect to his role as well as a more substantial acting range as a performer. In just a few more years, Holden would solidly emerge as one of cinema's major actors and one of the greatest leading men of his generation.

I recently had the opportunity to see this film as what a delight! I can not understand that so many wonderful films of the 40's are not shown on the multiple cable channels. This films was packed with great stars and a very funny storyline. Just having the chance to see a very young Willam Holden was worth anything... What a handsome man!!! These family films seem to be all but forgotten, and it is a shame- I only wish that some of the movie executives would take a second look at some of these treasures and decide to release them on DVD. There were two sequels and they were also really great. What a good idea to release all three in one DVD set! If anyone out there is listening, we want this film on DVD!!!!

Director William Russell whips up DEAR RUTH into a breezy and zany comedy, helped by a clever script and excellent performances from handsome Holden, beautiful Caulfield, show stealer Edward Arnold as the pater familias tripling up as judge and marrying officer, and Ruth's idealistic adolescent sister Mona Freeman, who has her daddy wrapped around her pinky and shows national fervor aplenty as she encourages servicemen to do their duty... by writing to them on her sister's behalf.

Billy de Wolfe, who often played a clown out of the movies, has a great part as the jilted lover.

It is a super premise and the film's first half is utterly delightful. Then, it gets caught up in the pulleys of the story. Holden's sister and sergeant suddenly pop up for no particularly good reason (other than extend the film's length for commercial purposes, perhaps?)... and ultimately that does not help DEAR RUTH, which would have been better served with 15' less.

At any rate, DEAR RUTH is eminently watchable, real good fun.

This is my absolute favorite movie. They used to play it on the old movie chancels pretty often, but I have not seen it in a while. I will watch this movie every time it comes on TV. Even though there are plenty of sight gags, the best part of the movie is the interaction between the characters. This movie has some of the best dialog. I laugh out loud every time I watch it. I especially love the scene at the train station where Bill talks the group into "playing railroad". Even though it was made in the forties, it still stands up today. If you like romantic comedies, this is the movie for you. Great characters; Great acting; Great writing. I highly recommend it. (It truly should be on DVD. Who decides these things?)

Wonderful performances by all. Marvelously executed comedy. For those who don't already know, J.D. Salinger, the author, spotted the movie marquee heralding the stars of this movie, William Holden and Joan Caulfield. Thus, the inspiration for his character's name in "Catcher in the Rye", Holden Caulfield.

Looking to the supporting cast, Billy de Wolfe gets to play the same character (or is it really him?),he always plays, prissy and particular. De Wolfe never fails comedically and is a major factor in taking this film over the top. The 2 sequels, Dear Wife and Dear Brat, were showcases for him. Even in the 1960's TV sitcom "Good Morning World", with Joby Baker and Ronnie Schell, de Wolfe's signature character still brought laughs.

Now, to Mona Freeman. Although she never achieved major stardom, or any stardom in adulthood, she carved a nice niche for herself playing the precocious teenager in many films. Freeman made enough of a mark in her day to be immortalized (caricatured) in cartoons, just like the more recognize-able Bogey and Bing. Think about it, yup, that was her.

In Dear Ruth, Freeman was ever the volunteer or manipulator. She ends up as a very positive female role model. Even more so because of the "place" of women in the 1940's. She was a very talented young lady. Freeman's interaction with her dad, Edward Arnold, is universal and timeless. A fine performance by Arnold "squeezes" all the humor out of what should be typical and predictable dad/daughter(s) comedy. Arnold was the perfect choice for the dad.

This was a very funny ensemble performance. It's great family entertainment. Dear Ruth was deserving of 2 sequels....

This was one of the most delightful films I have ever seen. Film makers have forgotten what the elements of a good film are. This one has it all: character development, snappy dialogue, humor, love, and a happy ending. The actors and actresses tell their story not only with words, but with their expressions and other non-verbal communication. Who needs fantastic stories, mindless violence, etc. This kind of film really entertains.

what a wonderful movie and how handsome does that William Holden look?? a love story i can see repeated in some modern movies too such as "you've got mail".....i wonder how many times letters were written during the war under false pretenses....its story plot is simple: Ruth's younger sibling writes letters to a serviceman in her name and he learns to care for her...Ruth losing her heart in spite of herself seems to sum it all up...

would love to have a copy but the movie never seems to be around... i have a grainy VCR recording of it from the eighties..would love to see it on DVD..

Joan Caulfield (not a particularly gifted actress in my opinion) shines in this performance and i laugh at Billy DeWolfe's antics each time i see him.

i guess i long for a simpler time of life, though i imagine those who lived through WWII would say i was crazy..i cannot believe i found this site and that others enjoyed the movie too!!! i have an original program from the play also....

I saw this movie many years ago and hardly remember anything, except loving it. Here is what I wrote in my diary:

"One of the most delightful comedies I have ever seen. I was in awe of the writer's wit and wisdom. The moral of the movie is that the greatest duty is the duty to oneself, the duty to be happy, to do as one pleases, not as one should, for the "shoulds" are nothing but other people's opinions."

At the time I didn't know the writer was Norman Krasna. Eventually, he would become one of my favorites. A Krasna movie is guaranteed excellence. His sense of humor and dignity never fail. Of course, one needs some of his smarts to understand him.

I just happened to watch this movie today and I must say its one hell of an entertainer. I just realized that its almost 70 years since this movie has been out and this got me compelled to write a review as it may easily be missed out on with time. A hilarious movie with great screenplay and wonderful actors. Have seen a handful of B/W movies but never one this funny. All the characters have done a great job. The movie is full of witty lines, amusing performance all kept at a fast pace that would just crack you up all the way till the very last minute of the feature. Simply put, you shouldn't miss out on this one. Shame I've never heard of this one before. Well better late than never.

Screwball comedies were a Hollywood staple in the 30s, but they were running on fumes in the 40s. I always thought of Arsenic and Old Lace as the obnoxious, ham-filled death rattle in 1944.

By the time Hollywood got around to filming Dear Ruth a few years later, screwball comedy was deader than HIrohito. Worse, William Holden was the lead and he just can't pull it off. This being pre-Sunset Boulevard, Holden is still Callow Bill or, as Holden himself liked to say about these roles, "Smilin' Jim."

Oh, he's handsome and pleasant, but Holden lacks the rubber physicality of screwball masters. He has no hope of keeping up with the antics and reaction shots full of facial tics that Edward Arnold and Mary Philips delivered by the barrel.

Worse yet, his character is severely under-written. We are to believe - based on the scene in the bedroom where Joan Caulfield and her parents are reading his letters - that he's a sensitive, literate soldier. Yet we see none of that in real life. He's little more than a h9rny G. I. on a two-day leave. His hands are busier than Glenn Gould performing The Goldberg Variations. Frankly, his grabbiness started to offend me and I found it beyond belief that Caulfield's character would fall for it.

Therefore, the result is partly a stale screwball comedy with the wrong lead, partly a 50s romantic comedy that lacks the conviction in its writing, and partly a 70s sitcom that teeters for 90 minutes on the premise of a 30-minute Three's Company episode.

By the time Holden's sister show up, played by Virginia Welles - vavoom! - the film has lost its way. Kevin O'Morrison's entrance is evidence they were making up the whole thing as they shot it.

On the plus side, Holden fared much better in the final reel, where the big mistake is revealed. He successfully conveys his disappointment and humiliation. Right there you can see he was destined for bigger things as an actor.

''He's certainly in favor of large families" And that, right there, is sharp writing.

I though this movie very good. All actors in it were more or less stars of the time. The title, Dear Ruth, is perfect. Good to see William Holden. Is a little old-fashioned but holds up pretty well. I really don't know what else to say. I enjoyed this movie when it first came out and I still enjoy it.

I loved this movie which brought humor into the "doom and gloom" atmosphere of the World War II era, and I wish it were shown on TCM more often and made available on DVD. I once suggested the theatrical version to the director of the local high school drama department because I knew the World War II generation and history buffs would appreciate the background of the play. However, the drama department director failed to see the significance of the work. Sadly, most of the World War II generation who would have identified with the work have passed away.

The witty dialogue keeps the play/film moving, and the real clincher is the very last line of the dialogue. Truly the play and the movie are of historical significance and should be designated as classics.

A comedy from 1947. Comic hi-jinks ensue when a pilot back Stateside from duty for a couple of days, William Holden, decides to visit his penpal of a girlfriend, Joan Caulfield, hoping to pop the question before he has to go back. What Holden doesn't know is that Caulfield's sister, Mona Freeman, a rebellious & civic minded sort, wrote the letters (nearly 60) which sends the entire family into a tizzy as Caulfield is already promised to marry her banker boyfriend, Billy de Wolfe, & hopes the next 48 hours will go down smoothly as Caulfield spends time w/Holden but'll let him down gently when the time comes. Coming from the poison pen of Norman Krasna (who also penned the delicious The Devil & Miss Jones), this comedy of errors keeps building & building like the best souffle one has ever tasted w/an ending that some will either embrace or blow off.

It's 1944 in a New York suburb. Miriam Wilkins (Mona Freeman) is an activist teen. Her older sister Ruth (Joan Caulfield) is more concerned about her smoking dispute with her boyfriend. Out of the blue, Lt. William Seacroft (William Holden) visits the family looking for Ruth. Unbeknownst to everyone, Miriam had been writing to William under the name of her sister Ruth. The family is reticent to tell him the truth.

It's an odd premise. It's hard to see what to root for in this case. This is one movie where I can't see an easy Hollywood ending unless Ruth actually falls for William. Holden's lovesick performance is a little too much. It seems much more easier to tell the soldier the truth. I don't like the boyfriend and Ruth is a bit too flighty. She's a borderline character. The chemistry between Ruth and William is all kinds of awkward. The date could have done something but his kissing good night is more awkwardness. Miriam is the key character and she goes missing for long stretches of this movie. It's all more awkward than funny.

I just watched this for the first time and loved it! William Holden was amusing and charming as the naive, lovestruck GI. Joan Caulfield was pretty and sweet as the woman he thought he had exchanged all those letters with.

However, I thought the 3 best actors in this were Edward Arnold, Mona Freeman and Billy DeWolfe. They all were funny, and probably have the best lines. While it's hard to believe that Caulfield's character would ever want to marry DeWolfe's nerdy, boorish character, DeWolfe had some very funny lines. This is one of the most enjoyable movies I've seen in a long time, and is now one of my favorite romantic comedies - a real treat from the Golden Age of Hollywood. I loved the very last scene too!

Despite its popularity the only claim this utterly mediocre romantic comedy has to fame is that rumor had it the author of Catcher In the Rye took the name of his main character from the last names of the two stars on a marquee. The story pivots somewhat mechanically on the confusion between two sisters (such a plot gimmick was a favorite of original playwright Norman Krasna) and on family jokes, not all that funny, which Edward Arnold laughs at.

If this material had been made during the heyday of screwball comedies about a decade earlier it might have been enlivened by "behavioral" touches but by the post WWII era American film humor had gotten more coarse and crude. Columbia was churning out some of the more unsubtle and obnoxious examples of this kind of farce so it is surprising to see that Dear Ruth is a Paramount production: a studio once known for the sophistication and subtlety of Lubitsch, Sturges and Leisen.