The producers and production staff of the Backlot Film Festival extend their heartfelt sympathy and condolences to the family and friends of motion picture and television star Ann Rutherford who died on June 11 from heart failure. She was 94 years old.
[img]1452|left|series||no_popup[/img]
Ms. Rutherford as Polly Benedict, girlfriend of Andy Hardy (Mickey Rooney) in the film series
[img]1453|left|series||no_popup[/img]
From left, Ms. Rutherford, Charlene Rooney (Mickey’s daughter-in-law, Mr. Rooney, and his wife Jan at the 2009 Backlot Film Festival
In 2009, Ms. Rutherford served as a member of the Honorary Committee for the Thomas H. Ince Award to Mickey Rooney, and she was on hand to welcome him back to Culver City where he had been major motion picture star at MGM for more than a dozen years.
As the Backlot Film Festival producer and director, I met Ms. Rutherford in 1990 when she appeared onstage with Edward Ashley at a matinee screening of “Pride and Prejudice” at the Bing Theatre in Los Angeles. Ms. Rutherford and Mr. Ashley were co-stars with Greer Garson and Laurence Olivier in the 1940 MGM period comedy drama. Mr. Ashley and Ms. Rutherford also appeared together in the 1946 film noir “The Madonna's Secret.”
In the Beginning
Therese Ann Rutherford was born in Vancouver, British Columbia, to John Rutherford, a former New York Metropolitan Opera tenor, and Lucille Mansfield, a silent film actress, on Nov. 2, 1917. Her parents separated while she was still a baby, and her mother moved to Los Angeles with Ann and her sister Judith.
Ms. Rutherford began her film career in 1935, establishing herself as a popular leading lady in Westerns at Republic Pictures, co-starring with Gene Autry and John Wayne. She left Republic in 1937 and signed with MGM where she appeared in “A Christmas Carol” as the Ghost of Christmas Past. She also was James Stewart's girlfriend in the rarely seen Clarence Brown classic, “Of Human Hearts.”
Ms. Rutherford established her screen popularity as the memorable Polly Benedict, Andy Hardy's sweet, patient girlfriend, in the youth comedy series (1937-1942) that starred Mickey Rooney.
She also appeared as Vivien Leigh'syounger sister, Careen O'Hara, in the David O. Selznick classic “Gone With The Wind.”
Before leaving MGM, Ms. Rutherford played comedian Red Skelton's girlfriend in a series of mystery comedies, “Whistling In The Dark,” “Whistling in Dixie” and “Whistling In Brooklyn.” Her most notable post-war role was as Danny Kaye's fiance in Samuel Goldwyn's “The Secret Life Of Walter Mitty.”
During an interview at the Backlot Film Festival three years ago, Ms. Rutherford said she “always loved an audience. I didn't know why. I remember when I was very young, being onstage with a spelling bee. My word was ‘honey.’ I loudly proclaimed ‘Honey, h-u-n-y.’ There was such laughter, I told myself I had to do that again.”
Mickey Rooney was extremely happy to be re-united with his “Andy Hardy” co-star. He told Ms. Rutherford he considered her to be one of the best actresses on the MGM lot.
During the onstage presentation at the Vets Auditorium, Ms. Rutherford fondly remembered her days with Mr. Rooney. “He is so talented, it's absolutely outrageous,” she said. “This young man virtually supported Metro Goldwyn Mayer Studios for five years before going off to war.”
In 1939, Mr. Rooney was voted Hollywood’s No. 1 box office attraction by American theatre owners. Clark Gable was No. 2.
The End
Three years ago, the Ince Award was presented to Mr. Rooney by Culver City Mayor Andy Weisman along with a special accommodation written by former Mayor Steve Gourley, thanking Mr. Rooney “for the songs, the dances and the laughs he has provided movie audiences throughout the world for over eighty years.”
In 1988, Ms. Rutherford earned the Golden Boots Award for her roles in early Westerns at Republic Pictures. She has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
She is survived by her daughter, Gloria May, Al Morley, her companion of 20 years, a stepdaughter, Deborah Dozier Potter and two grandsons.
Mr. Hawkins may be contacted at rjhculvercity@aol.com
