Ann Rutherford
Known for Acting · 81 credits
- Born
- 1917-11-02
- Died
- 2012-06-11
- Place of birth
- Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Also known as
- Therese Ann Rutherford · Энн Рутерфорд · Тереза Энн Разерфорд
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.
Known For
TV Shows (11)
Perry Mason
1957
as Evelyn Cartright Forbes / Judith Thurston / Ellen Chase / Mona Hodge
Love, American Style
1969
as Mrs. Glassmire
Robert Montgomery Presents
1950
as Lacy Holden
Climax!
1954
as Edith Enders / Mary Townsend / Bette Sullivan
The Donna Reed Show
1958
The Bob Newhart Show
1972
Suspense
1949
as Sally Hastings
MGM Parade
1955
as Self
Danger
1950
Panic!
1957
General Electric Theater
1953
as Joan
Movies (70)
Gone with the Wind
1939
as Carreen O'Hara
Pride and Prejudice
1940
as Lydia Bennet
A Christmas Carol
1938
as Spirit of Christmas Past
The Secret Life of Walter Mitty
1947
as Gertrude Griswold
The Making of a Legend: Gone with the Wind
1988
as Self
They Only Kill Their Masters
1972
as Gloria
Hollywood Out-takes and Rare Footage
1983
as Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
Two O'Clock Courage
1945
as Patty Mitchell
Cavalcade of the Academy Awards
1940
as Self
Won Ton Ton: The Dog Who Saved Hollywood
1976
as Grayson's Studio Secretary
Adventures of Don Juan
1948
as Donna Elena
Four Girls in White
1939
as Patricia 'Pat' Page
Hollywood: Style Center of the World
1940
as Self
You're Only Young Once
1937
as Polly Benedict
Happy Land
1943
as Lenore Prentiss
Of Human Hearts
1938
as Annie Hawks
Dancing Co-Ed
1939
as Eve Greeley
The Bride Wore Red
1937
as Third Peasant Girl (uncredited)
Orchestra Wives
1942
as Connie Ward Abbot
Whistling in the Dark
1941
as Carol Lambert
Show-Business at War
1943
as Self
Life Begins for Andy Hardy
1941
as Polly Benedict
Inside Job
1946
as Claire Norton
Judge Hardy and Son
1939
as Polly Benedict
These Glamour Girls
1939
as Mary Rose Wilston
The Lonely Trail
1936
as Virginia Terry
Badlands of Dakota
1941
as Anne Grayson
Washington Melodrama
1941
as Laurie Claymore
1939: Hollywood's Greatest Year
2009
as Self (archive footage)
Andy Hardy's Double Life
1942
as Polly Benedict
The Lawless Nineties
1936
as Janet Carter
Espionage
1937
as Train Passenger
The Hardys Ride High
1939
as Polly Benedict
Bedside Manner
1945
as Lola Cross
The Ghost Comes Home
1940
as Billie Adams
Waterfront Lady
1935
as Joan O'Brien
Public Cowboy No. 1
1937
as Helen Morgan
The Devil Is Driving
1937
as Kitty Wooster
The Madonna's Secret
1946
as Linda 'Morgan' North
Andy Hardy Gets Spring Fever
1939
as Polly Benedict
The Courtship of Andy Hardy
1942
as Polly Benedict
Angel of Mercy
1939
as Sister of Dead Soldier (uncredited)
Murder in the Music Hall
1946
as Gracie
Love Finds Andy Hardy
1938
as Polly Benedict
The Oregon Trail
1936
as Anne Ridgeley
Out West with the Hardys
1938
as Polly Benedict
Whistling in Dixie
1942
as Carol Lambert
Operation Haylift
1950
as Clara Masters
The Fighting Marines
1935
as Frances Schiller
Andy Hardy's Dilemma: A Lesson in Mathematics... and Other Things
1940
as Polly Benedict (uncredited)
Take It or Leave It
1944
as (archive footage) (uncredited)
This Time for Keeps
1942
as Katherine 'Kit' White
Student Tour
1934
as Student
Andy Hardy Meets Debutante
1940
as Polly Benedict
Annie Laurie
1936
as Annie Laurie
Doughnuts and Society
1936
as Joan Dugan
The Harvester
1936
as Ruth Jameson
Judge Hardy's Children
1938
as Polly Benedict
Down to the Sea
1936
as Helen Pappas
Comin' 'Round the Mountain
1936
as Dolores Moreno
Dramatic School
1938
as Yvonne
Andy Hardy's Private Secretary
1941
as Polly Benedict
Flag of Mercy
1942
as Clara's Student
Carnival in Paris
1937
as Lisette
Wyoming
1940
as Lucy Kincaid
Keeping Company
1940
as Mary Thomas
Melody Trail
1935
as Millicent Thomas
Whistling in Brooklyn
1943
as Carol Lambert
Bermuda Mystery
1944
as Constance Martin
The Singing Vagabond
1935
as Lettie Morgan
About 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), Melo… With 81 credits spanning from 1934 to 2009, Ann Rutherford has appeared in 70 films and 11 TV shows.
Fans searching for Ann Rutherford movies, Ann Rutherford filmography, or the latest projects starring Ann Rutherford can stream many of these titles on Bowood.TV, free and in HD, with no subscription required.
Most Popular Ann Rutherford Movies
- Gone with the Wind (1939) — as Carreen O'Hara
- Pride and Prejudice (1940) — as Lydia Bennet
- A Christmas Carol (1938) — as Spirit of Christmas Past
- The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (1947) — as Gertrude Griswold
- The Making of a Legend: Gone with the Wind (1988) — as Self
Where to Watch Ann Rutherford Films
Most Ann Rutherford movies and series are available to stream on Bowood.TV in full HD, completely free and without signup. Browse the complete filmography above to jump directly to any title. For more films and the latest web series featuring Ann Rutherford, check our movies catalogue and browse page.