''Dear Ruth'' is a successful 1944 Broadway play written by

Norman Krasna Norman Krasna (November 7, 1909 – November 1, 1984) was an American screenwriter, playwright, producer, and film director who penned Screwball comedy film, screwball comedies centered on a case of mistaken identity. Krasna directed three films ...

. It ran for 680 performances.

History

Krasna wrote a serious play, '' The Man with Blond Hair'', which received a tepid response. He said that

Moss Hart Moss Hart (October 24, 1904 – December 20, 1961) was an American playwright, librettist, and theater director. Early years Hart was born in New York City, the son of Lillian (Solomon) and Barnett Hart, a cigar maker. He had a younger brother ...

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 Julius Henry "Groucho" Marx (; October 2, 1890 – August 19, 1977) was an American comedian, actor, writer, and singer who performed in films and vaudeville on television, radio, and the stage. He is considered one of America's greatest comed ...

, who was a good friend and occasional collaborator.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 The play was named in honor of Krasna's first wife, Ruth. The original production of the play was directed by

and starred John Dall. It was a big success, running for 680 performances. 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. 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 World War II or the Second World War (1 September 1939 – 2 September 1945) was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War II, Allies and the Axis powers. World War II by country, Nearly all of the wo ...

References

External links

*
Review of Broadway production
at Variety {{Norman Krasna 1944 plays Plays by Norman Krasna Broadway plays American plays adapted into films Plays set in New York (state)