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 Char…

Movies & TV Shows

1. Gone with the Wind (1939) — Carreen O'Hara
2. Pride and Prejudice (1940) — Lydia Bennet
3. A Christmas Carol (1938) — Spirit of Christmas Past
4. The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (1947) — Gertrude Griswold
5. Perry Mason (1957) — Evelyn Cartright Forbes
6. The Bob Newhart Show (1972) — Aggie Harrison
7. Adventures of Don Juan (1948) — Donna Elena
8. Love Finds Andy Hardy (1938) — Polly Benedict
9. Two O'Clock Courage (1945) — Patty Mitchell
10. Of Human Hearts (1938) — Annie Hawks
11. The Bride Wore Red (1937) — Third Peasant Girl (uncredited)
12. Love, American Style (1969) — Mrs. Glassmire
13. The Donna Reed Show (1958)
14. Won Ton Ton: The Dog Who Saved Hollywood (1976) — Grayson's Studio Secretary
15. Andy Hardy Gets Spring Fever (1939) — Polly Benedict
16. Whistling in the Dark (1941) — Carol Lambert
17. Orchestra Wives (1942) — Connie Ward Abbot
18. They Only Kill Their Masters (1972) — Gloria
19. Andy Hardy Meets Debutante (1940) — Polly Benedict
20. The Lawless Nineties (1936) — Janet Carter
21. You're Only Young Once (1937) — Polly Benedict
22. The Lonely Trail (1936) — Virginia Terry
23. 1939: Hollywood's Greatest Year (2009) — Self (archive footage)
24. Climax! (1954) — Edith Enders
25. Suspense (1949) — Sally Hastings
26. Andy Hardy's Double Life (1942) — Polly Benedict
27. These Glamour Girls (1939) — Mary Rose Wilston
28. The Courtship of Andy Hardy (1942) — Polly Benedict
29. Badlands of Dakota (1941) — Anne Grayson
30. Andy Hardy's Private Secretary (1941) — Polly Benedict
31. Life Begins for Andy Hardy (1941) — Polly Benedict
32. Out West with the Hardys (1938) — Polly Benedict
33. Inside Job (1946) — Claire Norton
34. Judge Hardy and Son (1939) — Polly Benedict
35. Judge Hardy's Children (1938) — Polly Benedict
36. Robert Montgomery Presents (1950) — Lacy Holden
37. Bedside Manner (1945) — Lola Cross
38. Dramatic School (1938) — Yvonne
39. The Madonna's Secret (1946) — Linda 'Morgan' North
40. The Hardys Ride High (1939) — Polly Benedict