Ann Rutherford - Actress (Hollywood Classic Era)
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Tuesday 21, July 2026, 06:30.
Rutherford in a 1940s publicity photo
Born Therese Ann Rutherford - November 2, 1917, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Died June 11, 2012 (aged 94), Beverly Hills, California, U.S.
Occupation Actress
Years active 1935–1978
Notable work Gone with the Wind,
The Secret Life of Walter Mitty
Spouses
1.David May- (m. 1942; div. 1953)
2.William Dozier-(m. 1953; died 1991)
3.Partner Al Morley (1992–2012)
Children 1
Relatives Judith Arlen (sister)
Introductions:
Therese Ann Rutherford (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 in 12 of the 16 MGM Andy Hardy films between 1937 and 1942, and appearing as one of Scarlett O'Hara's sisters, Carreen O'Hara, in the film Gone with the Wind (1939).
Early life:
Rutherford was born on November 2, 1917, 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. 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.
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.
Career:
Film career:
In 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 (MGM), where she 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 lent Rutherford to Selznick International Pictures to appear as Carreen O'Hara, Scarlett O'Hara's sister, in Gone with the Wind (1939). MGM boss Louis Mayer initially refused the loan because he considered the role too minor, but Rutherford passionately appealed to him to change his mind. 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.
Rutherford in Dramatic School (1938)
From 1937 until 1942, Rutherford portrayed Polly Benedict in the MGM Andy Hardy youth comedy film series starring 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.
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 freelance with different studios. During this period, she appeared 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 declined to appear as Polly Benedict in the final Andy Hardy film, Andy Hardy Comes Home (1958), stating that she did not believe most people married their first sweethearts and that Andy Hardy becoming a judge was implausible. In 1972, Rutherford returned to MGM for a small part in They Only Kill Their Masters, the last major film to be shot on the MGM backlot before it was razed and sold to developers. Rutherford's final film appearance was a cameo role in Won Ton Ton, the Dog Who Saved Hollywood (1976).
Personal life and death:
Ann Rutherford in April 2010
Rutherford 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, Gloria May Voeller. On June 6, 1953, Rutherford and May were divorced in Juárez, Mexico. On October 7, 1953, in New York City, Rutherford married actor/producer William Dozier, the creator of the Batman (1966–1968) TV series. Dozier died in Santa Monica, California, of a stroke on April 23, 1991.
Rutherford died at her home in Beverly Hills, California, on June 11, 2012, following declining health due to heart problems. She was 94 She was cremated and her ashes given to her daughter. Her companion of twenty years was Al Morley.
Filmography:
Features
Year Title Role Notes
1935 Waterfront Lady Joan O'Brien 
Melody Trail Millicent Thomas
The Fighting Marines Frances Schiller 12-chapter serial
The Singing Vagabond Lettie Morgan 
The Lawless Nineties Janet Carter
Doughnuts and Society Joan Dugan
Comin' Round the Mountain Dolores Moreno
The Harvester Ruth Jameson
The Lonely Trail Virginia Terry
Down to the Sea Helen Pappas
1937 Espionage Train Passenger Uncredited
The Devil Is Driving Kitty Wooster
Public Cowboy No. 1 Helen Morgan
Live, Love and Learn
The Bride Wore Red Third Peasant Girl Uncredited
You're Only Young Once Polly Benedict
1938 Of Human Hearts Annie Hawks
Judge Hardy's Children Polly Benedict
Love Finds Andy Hardy Polly Benedict
Out West with the Hardys Polly Benedict
Dramatic School Yvonne
A Christmas Carol Spirit of Christmas Past
1939 Four Girls in White Patricia Page
The Hardys Ride High Polly Benedict
Andy Hardy Gets Spring Fever Polly Benedict 
These Glamour Girls Mary Rose WilstonDancing Co-Ed Eve Gone with the Wind Carreen O'HJudge Hardy and Son Polly Benedict 1940 The Ghost Comes Home Billie Adams
Andy Hardy Meets Debutante Polly Benedict
Pride and Prejudice Lydia Bennet
Wyoming Lucy Kincaid
Keeping Company Mary Thomas
1941 Andy Hardy's Private Secretary Polly Benedict
Washington Melodrama Laurie Claymore
Whistling in the Dark Carol Lambert
Life Begins for Andy Hardy Polly Benedict
Badlands of Dakota Anne Grayson
1942 The Courtship of Andy Hardy Polly Benedict
This Time for Keeps Katherine 'Kit' White
Orchestra Wives Connie Ward
Andy Hardy's Double Life Polly Benedict
Whistling in Dixie Carol Lambert
1943 Happy Land Lenore Prentiss
Whistling in Brooklyn Carol Lambert
1944 Bermuda Mystery Constance Martin
1945 Two O'Clock Courage Patty Mitchell
Bedside Manner Lola Cross
1946 The Madonna's Secret Linda
Murder in the Music Hall Gracie
Inside Job Claire Gray Norton
1947 The Secret Life of Walter Mitty Gertrude Griswold
1948 Adventures of Don Juan Donna Elena
1950 Operation Haylift Clara Masters
1972 They Only Kill Their Masters Gloria 1976 Won Ton Ton, the Dog Who Saved Hollywood Grayson's Studio Secretary (final film Role)
Short subjects:
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
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