Ann Rutherford

Biography

Ann Rutherford was born in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. The daughter of a former Metropolitan Opera singer, John Rutherford, and her actress mother, Lillian Mansfield, Ann was destined for show business. Not long after her birth, her family moved to California, where she made her stage debut in 1925. Ann appeared in many plays and on radio for the next nine years before making her first screen appearance in Waterfront Lady (1935). Ann's talent was readily apparent, and she was signed to three films in 1935: Waterfront Lady (1935), Melody Trail (1935), and The Fighting Marines (1935). By now, she was a leading lady in the fabled Westerns with two legends, John Wayne and Gene Autry. By the time Ann was 17, she inked a deal with MGM, where she would gain the status of superstar for her portrayal of Polly Benedict in the popular Andy Hardy series with Mickey Rooney. Ann's first role as Polly was in 1938, in You're Only Young Once (1937). Three more Hardy films were produced that same year: Out West with the Hardys (1938), Love Finds Andy Hardy (1938), and Judge Hardy's Children (1938). Ann found time to play in other productions, too. One that is still loved today is the Charles Dickens' classic A Christmas Carol (1938), in which she played the sweet role of the Spirit of Christmas Past. In 1939, Ann played the role of Annie Hawks in Of Human Hearts (1938) in addition to three more Andy Hardy films. But that year also saw Ann land a role in the most popular film in film history. She played Careen O'Hara, Scarlett's little sister, in Gone with the Wind (1939). Plenty of fans of the Andy Hardy series went to see it just for Ann. The film was unquestionably a super hit. Ann then resumed making other movies. While working for MGM, Ann, along with the other stars, was under the watchful eye of movie mogul Louis B. Mayer. The bottom line was profit, and Mayer kept performers' salaries minimized as much as possible. Most tried to get raises and failed. Even Mickey Rooney was decidedly underpaid during his glory years at MGM. But not Ann Rutherford. When she asked for a raise, she took out her bankbook and, showing him the amount it contained, told Mayer she had promised her mother a new house. Ann got her raise. In 1942 at the age of 22, Ann appeared in her last Andy Hardy film, Andy Hardy's Double Life (1942). She then left MGM and freelanced her talent. Ann was still in demand. In 1943, she appeared in Happy Land (1943), but it was a little later in her career when she appeared in two big hits. In 1947, she played Gertrude Griswold in The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, and Donna Elena in Adventures of Don Juan in 1948. After that, Ann appeared in several TV programs and didn't return to the silver screen until 1972, in They Only Kill Their Masters (1972). Her last role came in 1976 in the dismal Won Ton Ton: The Dog Who Saved Hollywood (1976), whereupon she retired. Ann was approached to play the older Rose in 1998's mega hit Titanic (1997) but turned it down. She happily enjoyed her retirement being constantly deluged with fan mail and granting several interviews and appearances. Ann Rutherford died at her Beverly Hills home on June 11, 2012 with her close friend Anne Jeffreys by her side. She was 94 years old.

Known For

Carreen O'Hara

Gone with the Wind

Claire Norton

Inside Job

Spirit of Christmas Past

A Christmas Carol

Donna Elena

Adventures of Don Juan

Gertrude Griswold

The Secret Life of Walter Mitty

Linda 'Morgan' North

The Madonna's Secret

Lola Cross

Bedside Manner

Polly Benedict

Andy Hardy's Double Life

Connie Ward Abbot

Orchestra Wives

Patty Mitchell

Two O'Clock Courage

Polly Benedict

Andy Hardy's Private Secretary

Polly Benedict

Life Begins for Andy Hardy

Polly Benedict

Andy Hardy Meets Debutante

Lydia Bennet

Pride and Prejudice

Polly Benedict

Andy Hardy Gets Spring Fever

Polly Benedict

Love Finds Andy Hardy

Gloria

They Only Kill Their Masters

Clara's Student

Flag of Mercy

Polly Benedict

The Courtship of Andy Hardy

Carol Lambert

Whistling in the Dark

Carol Lambert

Whistling in Dixie

Carol Lambert

Whistling in Brooklyn

Anne Grayson

Badlands of Dakota

Katherine 'Kit' White

This Time for Keeps

Polly Benedict

Out West with the Hardys

Polly Benedict

Judge Hardy and Son

Janet Carter

The Lawless Nineties

Gracie

Murder in the Music Hall

Patricia 'Pat' Page

Four Girls in White

Annie Hawks

Of Human Hearts

Billie Adams

The Ghost Comes Home

Polly Benedict

You're Only Young Once

Virginia Terry

The Lonely Trail

Lettie Morgan

The Singing Vagabond

Joan O'Brien

Waterfront Lady

Helen Morgan

Public Cowboy No. 1

Frances Schiller

The Fighting Marines

Clara Masters

Operation Haylift

Self (archive footage) (uncredited)

Hollywood Out-takes and Rare Footage

Yvonne

Dramatic School

Mary Rose Wilston

These Glamour Girls

Helen Pappas

Down to the Sea

Millicent Thomas

Melody Trail

Dolores Moreno

Comin' 'Round the Mountain

Ruth Jameson

The Harvester

Polly Benedict

Judge Hardy's Children

Lenore Prentiss

Happy Land

Laurie Claymore

Washington Melodrama

Kitty Wooster

The Devil Is Driving

Joan Dugan

Doughnuts and Society

Mary Thomas

Keeping Company

Lucy Kincaid

Wyoming

Polly Benedict

The Hardys Ride High

Eve Greeley

Dancing Co-Ed

Anne Ridgeley

The Oregon Trail

Train Passenger

Espionage

Polly Benedict (uncredited)

Andy Hardy's Dilemma: A Lesson in Mathematics... and Other Things

Constance Martin

Bermuda Mystery

Sister of Dead Soldier (uncredited)

Angel of Mercy

Annie Laurie

Annie Laurie

Lisette

Carnival in Paris

Student

Student Tour

Self

Show-Business at War

Self

Cavalcade of the Academy Awards

Self

Hollywood: Style Center of the World

Grayson's Studio Secretary

Won Ton Ton: The Dog Who Saved Hollywood

Self

The Making of a Legend: Gone with the Wind

(archive footage) (uncredited)

Take It or Leave It

Self (archive footage)

1939: Hollywood's Greatest Year

Third Peasant Girl (uncredited)

The Bride Wore Red