Examine individual changes

'{{Short description|1960 film by Henry Koster}} {{Infobox film | name = The Story of Ruth | image = The Story of Ruth original theatrical release poster.jpg | alt = | caption = Original theatrical release poster | native_name = | director = [[Henry Koster]] | producer = [[Samuel G. Engel]] | writer = [[Norman Corwin]] | screenplay = | story = | based_on = [[Book of Ruth]] | narrator = [[Eduard Franz]] | starring = [[Stuart Whitman]]<br>[[Tom Tryon]]<br>[[Peggy Wood]]<br>[[Viveca Lindfors]]<br>[[Jeff Morrow]]<br>[[Elana Eden]] | music = [[Franz Waxman]] | cinematography = [[Arthur E. Arling]] | editing = Jack W. Holmes | studio = Samuel G. Engel Productions | distributor = [[20th Century Fox]] | released = {{Film date|1960|06|17|}} | runtime = 132 minutes | country = United States | language = English | budget = $2.93 million<ref>Solomon, Aubrey. ''Twentieth Century Fox: A Corporate and Financial History (The Scarecrow Filmmakers Series)''. Lanham, Maryland: Scarecrow Press, 1989. {{ISBN|978-0-8108-4244-1}}. p. 252</ref> | gross = $3 million (US/Canada rentals)<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.archive.org/stream/variety221-1961-01#page/n46/mode/1up|title=Rental Potentials of 1960|publisher=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|date=January 4, 1961|page=47|accessdate=April 27, 2019}}</ref> }} '''''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 [[Bible|biblical]] [[Book of Ruth]]. The film stars [[Stuart Whitman]] as [[Boaz]], [[Tom Tryon]] as [[Mahlon and Chilion|Mahlon]], [[Peggy Wood]] as [[Naomi (Bible)|Naomi]], [[Viveca Lindfors]] as Eleilat, [[Jeff Morrow]] as Tob, and introduces 19-year-old [[Elana Eden]] as [[Ruth (biblical figure)|Ruth]]. ==Plot== At approximately 8 years old, [[Ruth (biblical figure)|Ruth]] is sold by her father, as his strongest and prettiest daughter, to a priest of [[Chemosh]], to be trained in the service of the [[Moab]]ite deity. Months later, deemed the most attractive and unblemished candidate, Ruth is selected from a lineup of child priestesses in training to be [[Sacrifice|sacrificed]] during the annual ritual to Chemosh. As soon as she is selected, a large blemish appears on Ruth's arm, and she is deemed unsuitable. Another child is sacrificed in her place. Years later, Ruth is a favored priestess serving as spiritual teacher of a young Moabite girl, Tebah, being prepared for that year’s sacrifice to Chemosh. Unhappy with the ritual crown created for Tebah, high-priestess Eleilat, along with Ruth, instruct Mahlon, a [[Tribe of Judah|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 starts out mocking Mahlon’s “invisible god,” but ends up becoming intrigued and doubtful of her religion as time draws near for Tebah’s sacrifice. Ruth ultimately falls in love with Mahlon and disgraces herself at Tebah’s sacrifice by screaming in horror as the child is ceremonially stabbed on an altar by the high priest. Ruth flees but is captured and punished. The Moabites blame and condemn Mahlon, his father [[Elimelech]], and brother [[Chilion]] for Ruth’s [[heresy]]. Chilion and Elimelech die in the prison, while Mahlon is condemned to the [[Quarry|quarries]] for life. Ruth comes with [[Mercenary|mercenaries]] to free Mahlon, but he is mortally wounded as he flees the quarry. He marries Ruth in a cave soon afterwards, and promptly dies. [[Naomi (biblical figure)|Naomi]] (married to Elimelech), [[Orpah]] (married to Chilion), and Ruth are now widowed. Orpah returns to her Moabite family, and Ruth chooses to accompany Naomi to [[Bethlehem]], famously proclaiming "Whiter thou goest, I will go.” Moab and Judah are ancient enemies, and Ruth is initially met with hostility. Upon arrival, they witness [[Boaz]], a close kinsman of Elimelech’s, punish a Moabite who has poisoned a water hole by forcing him to drink the poisoned water. When Boaz learns that Naomi has returned, he sends provisions to them, respecting his obligation as a kinsman. Believing Boaz to be fiercely anti-Moabite, Ruth compels Naomi to refuse the provisions. Captivated by Ruth’s beauty, Boaz arranges for another kinsman, Tob, to take Boaz’s provisions to Naomi and Ruth. Tob initially doesn’t want to oblige, but after seeing Ruth, Tob agrees to Boaz’s arrangement, taking credit for generosity. A wise Naomi is skeptical of Tob’s uncharacteristic caring. Meanwhile, Boaz visits Naomi and Ruth to convince them to accept his help. After Boaz assists Ruth against a mob of hostile women at a well, Ruth becomes aware of his noble nature. Eventually, Boaz and Ruth fall in love, but Tob claims his right under the laws of God to marry Mahlon’s widow as closest kinsman. Two Moab agents arrive in Judah seeking Ruth. Pretending to be from [[Tribe of Reuben|Reuben]], they claim to have witnessed Ruth worshipping Chemosh in secret at Naomi's farm. As a member of the Council of Elders, Boaz must sit in judgment of Ruth. At trial, Ruth admits to having been a Moabite priestess who last participated in ritual sacrifice only months before, shocking those in attendance—including Boaz, who does his best to defend her. The Moabite agents are exposed as false witnesses when Naomi asks them to name the [[12 tribes of Israel]] and Ruth asks them to recite the [[Ten Commandments|Ten Commandments]], which they cannot do. Nor will they bless Jehovah and curse Chemosh, as Ruth challenges. Ruth is acquitted. Tob refuses to give up his claim to Ruth, despite her informing him that she loves Boaz. Naomi suggests to Ruth a way out of her obligation to marry Tob. At their wedding ceremony, Ruth informs Tob in front of the guests that she sought out Boaz where he was sleeping at the harvest festival. Humiliated, Tob renounces Ruth. Boaz then declares he will marry Ruth, and both declare to the officiating elder that only vows of love passed between them. They are married, becoming the [[Progenitor|progenitors]] of a [[david|great king]] and a [[messiah]]. ==Cast== {{Div col}} * [[Elana Eden]] as [[Ruth (biblical figure)|Ruth]] * [[Stuart Whitman]] as [[Boaz]] * [[Tom Tryon]] as [[Mahlon and Chilion|Mahlon]] * [[Peggy Wood]] as [[Naomi (Bible)|Naomi]] * [[Viveca Lindfors]] as Eleilat * [[Jeff Morrow]] as Tob * [[Thayer David]] as Hedak * [[Les Tremayne]] as Presiding Elder * [[Eduard Franz]] as Jehoam * [[Leo Fuchs]] as Sochin * Lili Valenty as Kera * [[John Gabriel (actor)|John Gabriel]] as [[Mahlon and Chilion|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 {{Div col end}} ==Production== In 1957, Simon Windelburg was announced as the film's screenwriter.<ref name="American Film Institute">{{cite web|title=The Story of Ruth|url=http://catalog.afi.com/Catalog/MovieDetails/53295|website=[[American Film Institute]]|accessdate=2 February 2018}}</ref> [[Michael Kanin]] and his wife, [[Fay Kanin]], who were later hired to write the screenplay, wrote [[Film treatment|treatments]] for the film.<ref name="American Film Institute" /> [[Frank G. Slaughter]] wrote a screenplay based on his 1954 novel ''The Song of Ruth: A Love Story From the Old Testament''.<ref name="American Film Institute" /> [[Norman Corwin]] wrote an entirely new screenplay after summer 1958.<ref name="American Film Institute" /> Corwin submitted his final draft of the script on September 1, 1959.<ref name="American Film Institute" /> Production began in late November 1959 and ended in mid-February 1960.<ref name="Original Print Info">{{cite web|title=The Story of Ruth (1960) - Original Print Info|url=http://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/91529/The-Story-of-Ruth/original-print-info.html|website=[[Turner Classic Movies|TCM]]|accessdate=2 February 2018}}</ref> ===Casting=== [[Susan Strasberg]], a contender for the role [[Ruth (biblical figure)|Ruth]],<ref>{{cite book|last=Davis|first=Ronald L.|title=Just Making Movies: Company Directors On The Studio System|url=https://archive.org/details/justmakingmovies00davi|url-access=registration|year=2005|publisher=Univ. Press of Mississippi|isbn=9781617033643|page=[https://archive.org/details/justmakingmovies00davi/page/21 21]}}</ref> was tested in September 1959.<ref>{{cite news|title=Strasberg 'Ruth' Test|work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|date=August 31, 1959}}</ref> Other actresses who tested for the role were [[Susan Kohner]], [[Tina Louise]], [[Diane Baker]], and [[Millie Perkins]].<ref name="Testing For 20th's 'Ruth'">{{cite news|title=Testing for 20th's 'Ruth'|work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|date=September 3, 1959}}</ref> Israeli actress [[Elana Eden|Elana Cooper]] and Swedish actress [[Ulla Jacobsson]] arrived in [[Los Angeles]] in September 1959 to test for the role.<ref name="Testing For 20th's 'Ruth'" /> [[Myrna Fahey]], who had recently signed a contract with [[20th-Century Fox]], was also tested.<ref>{{cite news|title='Ruth' Test For Fahey|work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|date=September 15, 1959}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite news|title='Ruth' For Elana Eden And Term Pact At 20th|work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|date=October 5, 1959}}</ref><ref name="Louella Parsons in Hollywood: Unknown Hits">{{cite news|last1=Parsons|first1=Louella|title=Louella Parsons in Hollywood: Unknown Hits|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1368&dat=19591005&id=n2BQAAAAIBAJ&pg=7346,2416532|accessdate=October 9, 2014|work=[[The Milwaukee Sentinel]]|date=October 4, 1959}}</ref> [[File:Elana Eden in The Story of Ruth.jpg|thumb|Elana Eden as Ruth]] {{Blockquote |text=This is Elana Eden, whom [[Buddy Adler]], [[Henry Koster]], and I have selected to portray the coveted title role in ''The Story of Ruth''. Elana Eden comes to us from the [[Israel|Holy Land]] following worldwide search in which literally over a score of young, talented actresses were tested. Elana is a graduate from the renowned [[Habima Theatre]]. She was chosen by us because we feel she possesses the necessary qualifications for this exacting role and because of her natural qualities, which most faithfully exemplify this beloved biblical heroine. |author=[[Samuel G. Engel]], in a 7-minute preview of the film}} [[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."<ref name="Stephen Boyd's Top Assets: Knows Mind, Has 'Wallop'">{{cite news|last1=Johnson|first1=Erskine|title=Stephen Boyd's Top Assets: Knows Mind, Has 'Wallop'|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1356&dat=19591210&id=Z5AUAAAAIBAJ&pg=1285,1058994|accessdate=October 9, 2014|work=[[Star-Banner|Ocala Star-Banner]]|date=December 10, 1959}}</ref> 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.<ref name="Camera Angles">{{cite news|title=Camera Angles|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1917&dat=19591218&id=OPEqAAAAIBAJ&pg=2770,3167140|accessdate=October 9, 2014|work=[[The Daily Gazette|Schenectady Gazette]]|date=December 18, 1959}}</ref> [[Helen Hayes]] and [[Irene Dunne]] were offered the role of [[Naomi (biblical figure)|Naomi]] before [[Peggy Wood]] was cast.<ref name="Hollywood Today: Stella's Southern Accent Last Down Here In South">{{cite news|last1=Johnson|first1=Erskine|title=Hollywood Today: Stella's Southern Accent Last Down Here In South|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1356&dat=19591002&id=UIBPAAAAIBAJ&pg=2940,2700141|accessdate=October 9, 2014|work=[[Star-Banner|Ocala Star-Banner]]|date=October 2, 1959}}</ref><ref name="Louella Parsons in Hollywood: Irene Dunne Role">{{cite news|last=Parsons|first=Louella|title=Louella Parsons in Hollywood: Irene Dunne Role|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1368&dat=19591102&id=mXVQAAAAIBAJ&pg=7356,1153010|accessdate=October 9, 2014|work=[[The Milwaukee Sentinel]]|date=November 1, 1959}}</ref> ==Release== On June 17, 1960, ''The Story of Ruth'' premiered at the [[Paramount Theatre (New York City)|Paramount Theatre]] in [[New York City]] {{citation needed|date=February 2020}} and on June 30, 1960, in [[Beverly Hills]] at the [[Saban Theatre|Fox Wilshire Theatre]].{{citation needed|date=February 2020}} ===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.{{citation needed|date=February 2020}} In 2013, the DVD was re-released with new cover art but the same features as the 2006 release.{{citation needed|date=February 2020}} ==Reception== [[File:Henry Koster, Samuel G. Engel, and Arthur E. Arling on the set of The Story of Ruth.jpg|thumb|300px|Director [[Henry Koster]], 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 (magazine)|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".<ref name="Review: ‘The Story of Ruth’ (Variety)">{{cite news|title=Review: 'The Story of Ruth'|url=https://variety.com/1959/film/reviews/the-story-of-ruth-1200419545/|accessdate=October 8, 2014|work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|date=December 31, 1960}}</ref> [[Daniel A. Poling]], editor of the ''Christian Herald'', described the film as "[g]loriously cast and faultlessly directed".<ref name="Christian Herald review">{{cite news|last1=Poling|first1=Daniel A.|title=The Story of Ruth|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1016&dat=19610202&id=4swkAAAAIBAJ&pg=426,45706|accessdate=2014-10-07|work=The Kiowa News|date=February 2, 1961}}</ref> ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]'' considered the film "commendably unepic".<ref name="Cinema: Time Listings">{{cite magazine|title=Cinema: Time Listings|url=http://content.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,869645,00.html|accessdate=2014-10-08|magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]]|date=July 18, 1960}}</ref> Carl Lane, writing for the ''[[Evening Independent]]'', praised [[Elana Eden]]'s performance: <blockquote>"...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.'"<ref name="'The Story of Ruth' Admirable Milestone In Movie Presentation">{{cite news|last1=Lane|first1=Carl|title='The Story of Ruth' Admirable Milestone In Movie Presentation|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=950&dat=19600707&id=LkRQAAAAIBAJ&pg=5584,1123551|accessdate=2014-10-08|work=[[Evening Independent]]|date=July 7, 1960}}</ref></blockquote> Poling believed Eden's portrayal of Ruth was "worthy of an [[Academy Awards|Oscar]]",<ref name="Christian Herald review" /> and ''Variety'' described it as "a performance of dignity", as she projects "an inner strength through a delicate veneer".<ref name="Review: ‘The Story of Ruth’ (Variety)" /> [[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".<ref name="Review: ‘The Story of Ruth’ (Variety)" /> Lane thought she: "..creates an unforgettable character. Patience, faith, wisdom, all mature within her as the story progresses."<ref name="'The Story of Ruth' Admirable Milestone In Movie Presentation" /> Of both performances, ''[[Boxoffice (magazine)|Boxoffice]]'' wrote: <blockquote>"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."<ref name="Boxoffice review">{{cite news|title=Feature Reviews: The Story of Ruth|url=http://pro.boxoffice.com/the_vault/issue_page?issue_id=1960-6-20&page_no=91#page_start|accessdate=2014-10-08|work=[[Boxoffice (magazine)|Boxoffice]]|date=June 20, 1960}}</ref></blockquote> ==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.<ref>{{cite journal|title='Ruth' Wins Award|journal=Motion Picture Daily|date=July 11, 1960|volume=88|issue=7|page=3}}</ref> * The ''[[Parents (magazine)|Parents' Magazine]]'' Family Award Medal for July 1960.<ref>{{cite journal|title=National Pre-Selling|journal=Motion Picture Daily|date=August 9, 1960|volume=88|issue=27|page=4}}</ref> 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.<ref>''Parents' Magazine Coveted Award to "The Story of Ruth"''. [[Movietone News]]</ref> == Cultural references == The story was adapted as a comic book, "[[Dell Comics|Dell]] [[Four Color]] #1144 (September 1960)".<ref>{{gcdb issue|id=15963|title=Dell Four Color #1144}}</ref><ref>{{comicbookdb|type=issue|id=314221|title=Dell Four Color #1144}}</ref> In [[Guillermo del Toro]]'s Oscar-winning fantasy drama ''[[The Shape of Water|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.{{citation needed|date=February 2020}} ==References== {{Reflist|1}} ==External links== {{commons category|The Story of Ruth}} * {{IMDb title|id=0054343|title=The Story of Ruth}} * {{TCMDb title|id=91529|title=The Story of Ruth}} * {{allMovie title|47102}} * {{AFI film|id=53295|title=The Story of Ruth}} * {{Rotten Tomatoes|story_of_ruth}} {{Henry Koster}} {{Book of Ruth}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Story Of Ruth}} [[Category:1960 films]] [[Category:1960 drama films]] [[Category:1960s American films]] [[Category:1960s English-language films]] [[Category:1960s historical romance films]] [[Category:American historical drama films]] [[Category:American historical romance films]] [[Category:20th Century Fox films]] [[Category:Book of Ruth]] [[Category:CinemaScope films]] [[Category:Films adapted into comics]] [[Category:Films based on the Hebrew Bible]] [[Category:Films directed by Henry Koster]] [[Category:Films produced by Samuel G. Engel]] [[Category:Films scored by Franz Waxman]]'