Dear Ruth (1947): Cast & Plot
Dear Ruth is a 1947 romantic comedy directed by William D. Russell, starring Joan Caulfield as Ruth Wilkins, William Holden and Mary Philips. It runs 1 hour 35 minutes.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 35m (95 min)
- Director
- William D. Russell
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- Paramount Pictures
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Dear Ruth About?
The premise of Dear Ruth without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
Lt. William Seacroft, on leave from the Italian front, visits the New York home of Ruth Wilkins, the woman he has been exchanging letters with. In truth the letters have been penned by Ruth’s younger sister, Miriam, who signs them as Ruth to boost soldiers’ morale. Though Ruth is newly engaged to a coworker, she agrees to meet Bill and pretend she authored the correspondence, leading to comedic misunderstandings.
Dear Ruth Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- father dislikes daughter's boyfriend
- correspondence
- feel good romance
- teenage girl
- reference to the u.s. mail
- heterosexual love interest
- female penpal
- pen pal
- romantic triangle
- marriage engagement
- engagement ring
- elopement
+38 more Show fewer
- jilted fiance
- madcap comedy
- 16 year old girl
- reference to a letter
- reference to world war two
- new york city
- mistaken identity
- engaged couple
- military leave
- love letter
- family relationships
- sister sister relationship
- reference to william wordsworth
- reference to john keats
- home front
- forename in title
- two word title
- reference to percy bysshe shelley
- 22 year old woman
- 24 year old man
- framed photograph
- precocious teenage girl
- bombardier
- air force lieutenant
- good night kiss
- older sister younger sister relationship
- lilac the flower
- brother sister reunion
- sergeant
- romantic reconciliation
- home front war effort
- double deck bus
- subway train
- luncheon
- judge
- reference to florida
- flight instructor
- fate
Dear Ruth Cast & Characters
Joan Caulfield leads the cast as Ruth Wilkins, with William Holden as Lt. William Seacroft and Mary Philips as Mrs. Edie Wilkins. Directed by William D. Russell; 11 actors are credited in all.
- Director William D. Russell
- Joan Caulfield as Ruth Wilkins
-
William Holden as Lt. William Seacroft - Mary Philips as Mrs. Edie Wilkins
- Mona Freeman as Miriam Wilkins
Also Starring in Dear Ruth
· 7 more- Edward Arnold Judge Harry Wilkins
- Billy De Wolfe Albert Kummer
- Virginia Welles Martha Seacroft
- Kevin O'Morrison Sgt. Chuck Vincent
- Irving Bacon Delivery Man
- Marietta Canty Dora
- Isabel Randolph Mrs. Teaker
More from William D. Russell
More films directed by William D. Russell: Best of the Badmen, Bride for Sale, The Green Promise and The Sainted Sisters.
Dear Ruth Plot Summary
What happens in Dear Ruth from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 13 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Miriam Wilkins Mona Freeman is a high-energy WWII-era activist who drags her family into campaigns for the war effort without asking for permission. Her zeal, infectious as it is, soon pulls the Wilkins clan into a tangle of mistaken identities, secret letters, and unexpected romance. Her father, Judge Harry Wilkins Edward Arnold, and her mother, Edie Wilkins Mary Philips, watch in bemused disbelief as Miriam’s latest scheme unfolds at their doorstep with a complete stranger in tow.
Full summary
The whole story of Dear Ruth, scene by scene
How Well Do You Know Dear Ruth?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
Which actress portrays the energetic activist Miriam Wilkins?
Seen Dear Ruth?
Movies Like Dear Ruth
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Dear Wife, Dear Heart and 84 Charing Cross Road.
Dear Ruth FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date
Runtime, release date, director, cast and post-credit scenes of Dear Ruth, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Dear Ruth?
Dear Ruth runs 1 hour 35 minutes (95 minutes).
When was Dear Ruth released?
Dear Ruth was released on June 10, 1947.
Who directed Dear Ruth?
Dear Ruth was directed by William D. Russell.
More films by William D. Russell Who is in the cast of Dear Ruth?
Dear Ruth stars Joan Caulfield as Ruth Wilkins, William Holden as Lt. William Seacroft and Mary Philips as Mrs. Edie Wilkins, among 11 credited actors.
Does Dear Ruth have a post-credit scene?
No. Dear Ruth has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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