Dear Ruth

Dear Ruth

Year: 1947

Runtime: 95 mins

Language: English

Director: William D. Russell

RomanceComedy

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.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Dear Ruth yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline & Setting – Dear Ruth (1947)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Dear Ruth (1947). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

World War II era

The story unfolds during the Second World War, with men on leave and women coordinating efforts on the home front. Bill has just returned from Italy after 25 missions over Germany, illustrating the ongoing air war above Europe. The plot moves between home-front routines and military assignments in Florida and beyond, underscoring the tension between romance and duty.

Location

Wilkins residence, Subway station, Florida

The Wilkins home serves as the central stage for family drama and romantic schemes, where Miriam's activism and Ruth's secrets collide. A subway station interchange provides a moment of chaos and embarrassment during Albert's arrest, highlighting the social fabric of wartime city life. Florida is introduced as the wartime training base where Bill and Chuck will return to their duties, contrasting domestic life with the military world.

🏠 Domestic setting 🚇 Transit 🗺️ Wartime base

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 18:34

Main Characters – Dear Ruth (1947)

Meet the key characters of Dear Ruth (1947), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Lt. William Seacroft (Bill) — William Holden

A bomber pilot on two days' leave who falls for Ruth after a long correspondence; he is bold and earnest, with a straightforward charm that masks a deep sense of duty to his mission and to the truth as the situation unfolds.

🎖️ War veteran ❤️ Romantic lead 🤝 Straightforward

Miriam Wilkins (Mona Freeman) — Miriam Wilkins

An energetic teenage activist whose enthusiasm often outpaces her family's comfort. She orchestrates the letters to Bill under Ruth's name, triggering a cascade of misunderstandings that threaten to derail relationships and reveal the consequences of meddling.

🎗️ Impulsive 🗨️ Persuasive 🎉 Well-meaning

Ruth Wilkins (Joan Caulfield) — Ruth Wilkins

A young woman torn between honesty and romance, engaged to Bill but initially keeping up a ruse to spare a friend’s feelings. Her decisions reveal a mix of love, loyalty, and fear of the wartime upheaval.

💍 Engaged ❤️ Torn 🎭 Romantic lead

Judge Harry Wilkins (Edward Arnold) — Judge Wilkins

The family patriarch who wields authority with a steady hand and a practical outlook. He conducts the weddings and ultimately helps steer the family toward reconciliation and truth.

⚖️ Authority 🧭 Family mediator 🕊️ Respectful

Mrs. Edie Wilkins (Mary Philips) — Edie Wilkins

The matriarch who balances concern for propriety with affection for her children. She navigates the social pressures of wartime matrimony and supports the family as the truth comes to light.

🕊️ Supportive 👩‍👧 Family matriarch 💬 Calm

Albert Kummer (Billy DeWolfe) — Albert Kummer

Ruth’s initial fiancé, whose frustration with Bill’s attentions becomes a flashpoint in the home front comedy. His anger and jealousy drive a portion of the plot, culminating in a tense but humorous resolution.

💔 Jealous 🗯️ Fiancé 🚶‍♂️ Conflicted

Sgt. Chuck Vincent (Kevin O'Morrison) — Chuck Vincent

Bill's longtime friend whose presence adds a wartime camaraderie element. He reconciles with Martha, sharing confidences as the couples move toward marriage.

🤝 Loyal 🛡️ Steady friend 💫 Reconciliatory

Martha Seacroft (Virginia Welles) — Martha Seacroft

Bill’s younger sister, newly single and navigating the complexities of adult relationships. She brings a lighthearted subplot and helps move the romantic plans toward a double wedding.

👧 Young sister 💃 Romantic subplot 🕊️ Lighthearted

Dora (Marietta Canty) — Dora

A fellow household presence who participates in the family dynamics and adds color to the domestic scenes.

🗂️ Background presence 🗣️ Observant 🧩 Supporting

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 18:34

Major Themes – Dear Ruth (1947)

Explore the central themes of Dear Ruth (1947), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

❤️ Romantic Deception

Miriam writes 60 letters to Bill under Ruth's name, creating a web of misperceptions that drives the plot. Ruth's reluctance to tell Bill the truth tests trust and honesty in love during wartime. The letters and staged engagements show how deception can reshape relationships when distance and danger loom large.

🕊️ Duty vs Desire

Bill's leave and future deployment force choices between personal happiness and military duty. Ruth's engagement is shaped by social expectations and fear of losing Bill to combat. The film explores how war pressures characters to prioritize duty over private longing, then tests those decisions when truth comes to light.

🏠 Family Dynamics

The Wilkins household becomes a pressure cooker for conflicting loyalties, secrets, and weddings. Judge Wilkins asserts authority, while Edie navigates concern for propriety with warmth. Miriam's meddling tests boundaries, yet the ending ties the family together through shared promises and marriages.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 18:34

Mobile App Preview

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Mobile App

From blockbusters to hidden gems — dive into movie stories anytime, anywhere. Save your favorites, discover plots faster, and never miss a twist again.

Sign up to be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private — always.

Unlock the Full Story of Dear Ruth

Don't stop at just watching — explore Dear Ruth in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Dear Ruth is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Dear Ruth Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Dear Ruth, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Dear Ruth Summary

Dear Ruth Timeline

Track the full timeline of Dear Ruth with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

Dear Ruth Timeline

More About Dear Ruth

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Dear Ruth: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About Dear Ruth

Similar Movies to Dear Ruth

Discover movies like Dear Ruth that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.