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The Story of Ruth
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Wikipedia article
'The Story of Ruth' is a 1960 American historical romance film directed by Henry Koster, shot in CinemaScope and DeLuxe Color, and released by 20th Century Fox. The screenplay, written by Norman Corwin, is an adaptation of the biblical Book of Ruth. The film stars Stuart Whitman as Boaz, Tom Tryon as Mahlon, Peggy Wood as Naomi, Viveca Lindfors as Eleilat, Jeff Morrow as Tob, and introduces 19-year old Elana Eden as Ruth.
Plot
The first part of the film revolves around Ruth, visualized as a pagan idolatress in her youth who serves as the spiritual teacher of a young Moabite girl, Tebah, who is being prepared to be sacrificed to Chemosh, a Moabite deity. Unhappy with the ritual crown created for Tebah, high-priestess Eleilat, along with Ruth, instruct Mahlon, the Judean artisan, to revamp the crown with jewels and glitter. Mahlon delivers the crown to Ruth at the temple, and he begins to question her about the existence of Chemosh. Ruth becomes doubtful of her religion and ultimately falls in love with Mahlon, sharing an interest in monotheism.
The non-biblical part ends with the sight of the Moabite girl being sacrificed, from which a distressed Ruth flees. The Moabites condemn Mahlon, his father Elimelech, and brother Chilion. Chilion and Elimelech die in the prison, while Mahlon's punishment is to work at the quarries for the rest of his life. Ruth comes to free Mahlon, but he is wounded as he flees the quarry. He marries Ruth in a cave soon afterwards, and promptly dies.
The biblical storyline begins as Naomi (who was married to Elimelech), Orpah (who was married to Chilion), and Ruth are widowed. The second part is based more on the Book of Ruth, although a subplot is added, that of the Bethlehemites' initial disapproval of Ruth's pagan past and Naomi's closest kinsman rejecting Ruth as his wife. As the next of kin after him, Boaz successfully obtains Ruth's hand in marriage. As the film concludes, the final verses of the Book of Ruth are quoted.
Cast
* Elana Eden as Ruth
* Stuart Whitman as Boaz
* Tom Tryon as Mahlon
* Peggy Wood as Naomi
* Viveca Lindfors as Eleilat
* Jeff Morrow as Tob
* Thayer David as Hedak
* Les Tremayne as Elimelech
* Eduard Franz as Jehoam
* Leo Fuchs as Sochin
* Lili Valenty as Kera
* John Gabriel as Chilion
* Ziva Rodann as Orpah
* Basil Ruysdael as Shammah
* John Banner as King of Moab
* Adelina Pedroza as Iduma
* Daphna Einhorn as Tebah
* Sara Taft as Eska
* Jean Inness as Hagah
* Berry Kroeger as Huphim
* Jon Silo as Tacher
* Don Diamond as Yomar
Production
In 1957, Simon Windelburg was announced as the film's screenwriter. Michael Kanin and his wife, Fay Kanin, who were later hired to write the screenplay, wrote treatments for the film. Frank G. Slaughter wrote a screenplay based on his 1954 novel 'The Song of Ruth: A Love Story From the Old Testament'. Norman Corwin wrote an entirely new screenplay after summer 1958. Corwin submitted his final draft of the script on September 1, 1959. Production began in late November 1959 and ended in mid-February 1960.
Casting
Susan Strasberg, a contender for the role Ruth, was tested in September 1959. Other actresses who tested for the role were Susan Kohner, Tina Louise, Diane Baker, and Millie Perkins. Israeli actress Elana Cooper and Swedish actress Ulla Jacobsson arrived in Los Angeles in September 1959 to test for the role. Myrna Fahey, who had recently signed a contract with 20th-Century Fox, was also tested. In October 1959, Cooper was cast as Ruth, changed her name from "Elana Cooper" to "Elana Eden," and signed a "term pact" with the studio.Stephen Boyd was first cast as Boaz but later turned down the role and said: "I think the picture would be much better without me." Boyd later played Nimrod in John Huston's 'The Bible: In the Beginning...' (1966), another biblical epic released by 20th-Century Fox. Stuart Whitman replaced Boyd as Boaz in December 1959.
Helen Hayes and Irene Dunne were offered the role of Naomi before Peggy Wood was cast.
Release
On June 17, 1960, 'The Story of Ruth' premiered at the Paramount Theatre in New York City and on June 30, 1960, in Beverly Hills at the Fox Wilshire Theatre.
Home media
In 2006, 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment released 'The Story of Ruth' on DVD with special features, including a preview, a trailer, and several Movietone News shorts concerning the film.In 2013, the DVD was re-released with new cover art but the same features as the 2006 release.
Critical response
, producer Samuel G. Engel, and cameraman Arthur Arling on the set of 'The Story of Ruth'.
'The Story of Ruth' received favorable reviews upon release. 'Variety' called it "a refreshingly sincere and restrained Biblical drama, a picture that elaborates on the romantic, political and devotional difficulties encountered by the Old Testament heroine".
Daniel A. Poling, editor of the 'Christian Herald', described the film as "[g]loriously cast and faultlessly directed".
'Time' considered the film "commendably unepic".
Carl Lane, writing for the 'Evening Independent', praised Elana Eden's performance:
"...a flesh and blood Ruth of passion and compassion, of tenderness and dignity, a woman of whom the viewer tells himself on leaving the theater: 'This is Ruth as she must have been. She could have been no other.'"
Poling believed Eden's portrayal of Ruth was "worthy of an Oscar", and 'Variety' described it as "a performance of dignity", as she projects "an inner strength through a delicate veneer".
Peggy Wood's performance also received high commendation from critics. 'Variety' noticed her "excellent characterization of Naomi" and acknowledged that her "timing is always sharp". Lane thought she: "..creates an unforgettable character. Patience, faith, wisdom, all mature within her as the story progresses."
Of both performances, 'Boxoffice' wrote:
"This personal and human tale benefits by the realistic portrayals of the beautiful Israeli actress Miss Eden and the mature Miss Wood, who play together with touching affinity."
Awards
'The Story of Ruth' won:
* The Hollywood Foreign Press Association's Best Picture of the Month Award for July 1960. The bronze plaque was scheduled to be presented to producer Samuel G. Engel at the Greater Los Angeles Press Club on July 27, with director Henry Koster and stars Elana Eden and Tom Tryon also present.
* The 'Parents' Magazine' Family Award Medal for July 1960. The award was described by Movietone News as "one of the most sought-after accolades that can be awarded to film drama". Elana Eden and 20th Century Fox president Spyros Skouras attended the award presentation, which was filmed by Movietone News.'Parents' Magazine Coveted Award to "The Story of Ruth"'. Movietone News
Cultural references
The story was adapted as a comic book, "Dell Four Color #1144 (September 1960)".
In Guillermo del Toro's Oscar-winning fantasy drama 'The Shape Of Water' (2017), the Amphibian Man, spellbound, watches 'The Story Of Ruth' in a poorly attended cinema after having escaped from an apartment above.
References
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