Therese Ann Rutherford[1] (November 2, 1917 – June 11, 2012) was a Canadian-born American actress in film, radio, and television. She had a long career starring and co-starring in films, playing Polly Benedict during the 1930s and 1940s in the Andy Hardy series, and appearing as one of Scarlett O'Hara's sisters, Careen O'Hara in the film Gone with the Wind (1939).
Ann Rutherford | |
|---|---|
 Rutherford in a 1940s publicity photo | |
| Born | Therese Ann Rutherford November 2, 1917 Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada |
| Died | June 11, 2012 (aged 94) |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 1935–1978 |
| Notable work | Gone with the Wind, The Secret Life of Walter Mitty |
| Spouses | |
| Partner | Al Morley (1992–2012) |
| Children | 1 |
| Relatives | Judith Arlen (sister) |
Early life
editRutherford was born on November 2, 1917,[1] in Vancouver, British Columbia to John Rutherford and Lucille (née Mansfield; 1890–1981) Rutherford. Rutherford's mother was a silent film actress, and her father was a former operatic tenor.[2] While Rutherford was still a baby, the family moved to San Francisco. Soon afterwards, her parents separated and Lucille Mansfield moved to Los Angeles, with Ann and her sister Laurette, who later became known as Judith Arlen.[3][4]
While roller skating home from middle school in Hollywood, Rutherford would stop at some of the radio studios to listen to voice actors perform. After being criticized one day by her English teacher, Rutherford decided to show her up. She falsified an acting history and applied for work at radio station KFAC. A month later, Rutherford had a part in a radio serial drama.[3]
Career
editFilm career
editIn 1935, Rutherford began her Hollywood film career in the starring role of Joan O'Brien in the dramatic film Waterfront Lady for Mascot Pictures, later to be Republic Pictures. Rutherford soon established herself as a popular leading lady of Western films at Republic, costarring with actors Gene Autry and John Wayne.
In 1937, Rutherford left Republic and signed a film contract with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer studios. At MGM, Rutherford appeared as the Spirit of Christmas Past in A Christmas Carol (1938) and Lydia Bennet in Pride and Prejudice (1940) among other roles.
In 1938, MGM loaned Rutherford to Selznick International Pictures to appear as Careen O'Hara, a sister of Scarlett O'Hara, in the film Gone with the Wind (1939). MGM boss Louis Mayer originally refused the loan because he considered the role too minor, but Rutherford passionately appealed to him to change his mind.[3] In December 1939, while promoting the new movie, Rutherford visited six Confederate Army veterans at the Confederate Soldiers Home near Atlanta. One of the veterans gave Rutherford a rose corsage tied with Confederate colors.[5]
From 1937 until 1942, Rutherford portrayed Polly Benedict in the MGM Andy Hardy youth comedy film series with actor Mickey Rooney. Her first film in this series was You're Only Young Once (1937) and the last was Andy Hardy's Double Life (1942). Rutherford's performances as Andy Hardy's sweet and patient girlfriend established her screen popularity.[4]
Rutherford also played Carol Lambert, comedian Red Skelton's screen girlfriend, for MGM in a series of mystery/comedies: Whistling in the Dark (1941), Whistling in Dixie (1942), and Whistling in Brooklyn (1943).
In the early 1940s, Rutherford left MGM to work without contract with different studios. During this period, she starred in films such as Orchestra Wives (1942) with 20th Century Fox, Two O'Clock Courage (1945) with RKO Radio Pictures, and The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (1947), also with RKO. In 1950, Rutherford retired from films. Despite Mickey Rooney's pleas, she passed on returning as Polly Benedict in the final Andy Hardy film, Andy Hardy Comes Home (1958), stating that she didn't believe most people married their first sweethearts and that Andy Hardy becoming a judge was implausible.[6]
Personal life and death
editRutherford was married twice. On December 31, 1942, she married David May II, the grandson of the founder of the May Company department stores; the couple had a daughter. On June 6, 1953, Rutherford and May were divorced in Juárez, Mexico.[7] On October 7, 1953, in New York City, Rutherford married actor/producer William Dozier, the creator of the Batman (1966–1968) TV series.[8] Dozier died in Santa Monica, California, of a stroke on April 23, 1991.[9]
Rutherford died on June 11, 2012, aged 94 at her home in Beverly Hills, California, following declining health due to heart problems.[3] She was cremated and her ashes given to her daughter.[10] Her companion of twenty years was Al Morley.[4]
Filmography
editFeatures
editShort subjects
edit| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1936 | Annie Laurie | Annie Laurie |
| 1937 | Carnival in Paris | Lisette |
| 1938 | Andy Hardy's Dilemma | |
| 1939 | Angel of Mercy | Sister of Dead Soldier (uncredited) |
| 1940 | Screen Snapshots: Sports in Hollywood | Herself, Polo Fan |
| 1947 | Unusual Occupations: Film Tot Holiday |
References
edit- ^ a b "Ann Rutherford". The Daily Telegraph. London. June 12, 2012. Retrieved January 21, 2017.
- ^ Bergan, Ronald (June 12, 2012). "Ann Rutherford obituary". The Guardian. London. Retrieved June 13, 2012.
- ^ a b c d Nelson, Valerie; Noland, Claire (June 11, 2012). "Ann Rutherford, actress in 'Gone With the Wind,' dies at 94". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved June 11, 2012.
- ^ a b c Berkvist, Robert (June 12, 2012). "Ann Rutherford, Studio Film Sweetheart, Dies at 94". The New York Times. Retrieved June 13, 2012.
- ^ "Careen Visits Veterans" (PDF). The New York Times. December 14, 1939. Retrieved June 12, 2012.
- ^ "Andy Hardy Comes Home". Turner Classic Movies. Retrieved September 15, 2016.
- ^ "Ann Rutherford Divorced" (PDF). The New York Times. June 7, 1953. Retrieved June 12, 2012.
- ^ "Ann Rutherford Married Here". The New York Times. October 7, 1953.
- ^ "William Dozier; TV Producer, 83". The New York Times. Associated Press. April 28, 1991. Retrieved June 12, 2012.
- ^ Wilson, Scott (August 19, 2016). Resting Places: The Burial Sites of More Than 14,000 Famous Persons (3d ed.). McFarland. ISBN 978-1-4766-2599-7 – via Google Books.
Further reading
edit- Alistair, Rupert (2018). "Ann Rutherford". The Name Below the Title : 65 Classic Movie Character Actors from Hollywood's Golden Age (softcover) (First ed.). Great Britain: Independently published. pp. 224–228. ISBN 978-1-7200-3837-5.
