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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 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).
Rutherford 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][5]
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.[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.[6]
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.[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 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).[7]
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.[8] On October 7, 1953, in New York City, Rutherford married actor/producer William Dozier, the creator of the Batman (1966–1968) TV series.[9] Dozier died in Santa Monica, California, of a stroke on April 23, 1991.[10]
Rutherford died at her home in Beverly Hills, California, on June 11, 2012, following declining health due to heart problems. She was 94.[3] She was cremated and her ashes given to her daughter.[11] Her companion of twenty years was Al Morley.[4]