Ann Rutherford

Ann Rutherford

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
    Acting
    Place of birth
    Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
    Birthday
    11/2/1917
Gone with the Wind
Gone with the Wind
7.9
Inside Job
Inside Job
5.6
A Christmas Carol
A Christmas Carol
7.1
Adventures of Don Juan
Adventures of Don Juan
6.4
The Secret Life of Walter Mitty
The Secret Life of Walter Mitty
6.7
The Madonna's Secret
The Madonna's Secret
5.9
Her Favorite Patient
Her Favorite Patient
5.8
Andy Hardy's Double Life
Andy Hardy's Double Life
4.6
Orchestra Wives
Orchestra Wives
5.8
Andy Hardy's Private Secretary
Andy Hardy's Private Secretary
5.3
Two O'Clock Courage
Two O'Clock Courage
6.2
Life Begins for Andy Hardy
Life Begins for Andy Hardy
5.7
Andy Hardy Meets Debutante
Andy Hardy Meets Debutante
5.1
Pride and Prejudice
Pride and Prejudice
6.9
Andy Hardy Gets Spring Fever
Andy Hardy Gets Spring Fever
5.5
Love Finds Andy Hardy
Love Finds Andy Hardy
6.1
They Only Kill Their Masters
They Only Kill Their Masters
5.3
Flag of Mercy
Flag of Mercy
0
The Courtship of Andy Hardy
The Courtship of Andy Hardy
5.6
Whistling in the Dark
Whistling in the Dark
5.8
Whistling in Dixie
Whistling in Dixie
5
Whistling in Brooklyn
Whistling in Brooklyn
6.3
Badlands of Dakota
Badlands of Dakota
5.6
This Time for Keeps
This Time for Keeps
6
Out West with the Hardys
Out West with the Hardys
6.3
Judge Hardy and Son
Judge Hardy and Son
5.3
The Lawless Nineties
The Lawless Nineties
5.3
Murder in the Music Hall
Murder in the Music Hall
4.6
Four Girls in White
Four Girls in White
6.3
Of Human Hearts
Of Human Hearts
5.8
The Ghost Comes Home
The Ghost Comes Home
5
You're Only Young Once
You're Only Young Once
5.5
The Lonely Trail
The Lonely Trail
4.9
The Singing Vagabond
The Singing Vagabond
7
Waterfront Lady
Waterfront Lady
5.5
Public Cowboy No. 1
Public Cowboy No. 1
5.7
The Fighting Marines
The Fighting Marines
6
Operation Haylift
Operation Haylift
5
Hollywood Out-takes and Rare Footage
Hollywood Out-takes and Rare Footage
6.5
Dramatic School
Dramatic School
6.2
These Glamour Girls
These Glamour Girls
5.5
Down to the Sea
4.5
Comin' 'Round the Mountain
Comin' 'Round the Mountain
0
Melody Trail
Melody Trail
4.7
The Harvester
0
Judge Hardy's Children
Judge Hardy's Children
6.3
Happy Land
Happy Land
6.2
Washington Melodrama
Washington Melodrama
5
The Devil Is Driving
The Devil Is Driving
0
Doughnuts and Society
Doughnuts and Society
0
Keeping Company
Keeping Company
6.4
Wyoming
Wyoming
5.9
The Hardys Ride High
The Hardys Ride High
6
Dancing Co-Ed
Dancing Co-Ed
6.2
The Oregon Trail
The Oregon Trail
0
Espionage
Espionage
6.5
Andy Hardy's Dilemma: A Lesson in Mathematics... and Other Things
0
Bermuda Mystery
Bermuda Mystery
6
Angel of Mercy
Angel of Mercy
6
Annie Laurie
Annie Laurie
5
Carnival in Paris
6
Student Tour
Student Tour
5
Show-Business at War
Show-Business at War
7
Cavalcade of the Academy Awards
Cavalcade of the Academy Awards
6.5
Hollywood: Style Center of the World
Hollywood: Style Center of the World
5.5
Won Ton Ton: The Dog Who Saved Hollywood
Won Ton Ton: The Dog Who Saved Hollywood
4.1
The Making of a Legend: Gone with the Wind
The Making of a Legend: Gone with the Wind
8
Take It or Leave It
Take It or Leave It
4
1939: Hollywood's Greatest Year
1939: Hollywood's Greatest Year
7.5
The Bride Wore Red
The Bride Wore Red
6.7
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