Ann Rutherford
Nacimiento : 1917-11-02, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Muerte : 2012-06-11
Historia
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.
In 1942 at the age of 22, Ann appeared in her last Andy Hardy film, Andy Hardy's Double Life (1942). She then left MGM and freelanced her talent. Ann was still in demand. In 1943, she appeared in Happy Land (1943), but it was a little later in her career when she appeared in two big hits. In 1947, she played Gertrude Griswold in The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, and Donna Elena in Adventures of Don Juan in 1948.
After that, Ann appeared in several TV programs and didn't return to the silver screen until 1972, in They Only Kill Their Masters (1972). Her last role came in 1976 in the dismal Won Ton Ton: The Dog Who Saved Hollywood (1976), whereupon she retired. Ann was approached to play the older Rose in 1998's mega hit Titanic (1997) but turned it down. She happily enjoyed her retirement being constantly deluged with fan mail and granting several interviews and appearances.
Ann Rutherford died at her Beverly Hills home on June 11, 2012 with her close friend Anne Jeffreys by her side. She was 94 years old.
Self (archive footage)
This documentary focuses on 1939, considered to be Hollywood's greatest year, with film clips and insight into what made the year so special.
Self
Documental que muestra cómo se realizó "Lo que el viento se llevó" desde que David O. Selznick compró los derechos de la novela.
Herself (archive footage)
Out-takes (mostly from Warner Bros.), promotional shorts, movie premieres, public service pleas, wardrobe tests, documentary material, and archival footage make up this star-studded voyeuristic look at the Golden age of Hollywood during the 30s, 40, and 50.
Grayson's Studio Secretary
Hollywood, año 1924. La dulce Estie llega a la ciudad soñando con convertirse en una estrella de cine. Pero no será sencillo de conseguir triunfar en la meca del cine, aunque ella y el perro Won Ton Ton harán todo lo posible por conseguirlo.
Gloria
Cuando una mujer aparece muerta en la playa, el policía que investiga el caso encuentra pistas suficientes para llegar a la conclusión de que la ha matado su perro, un doberman.
Clara Masters
A pilot devises a plan to airlift hay to thousands of ranch cattle stranded and dying due to severe winter weather.
Donna Elena
Don Juan de Mañara, un caballero español, después de provocar un escándalo amoroso que da al traste con un matrimonio de conveniencia impuesto por la reina, regresa a la corte de España. Una vez en su patria, encuentra acomodo como maestro de esgrima en el Real Colegio de Guardias Nobles, lo que le rehabilita a los ojos de todos, borrando del recuerdo su borrascoso pasado. Pero, debido a su carácter pendenciero, se verá de nuevo envuelto en situaciones comprometidas.
Gertrude Griswold
Walter Mitty, es un escritor soñador con una madre sobreprotectora, al que le gusta imaginar que es un héroe que vive fantásticas aventuras. Su sueño se convierte en realidad cuando conoce accidentalmente a una misteriosa mujer que le entrega un pequeño libro negro. Según ella, contiene las ubicaciones de las joyas de la corona holandesa, ocultas desde la Segunda Guerra Mundial. Pronto, Mitty se encuentra en medio de una conspiración, donde tendrá dificultades para diferenciar entre la realidad y la ficción.
Claire Norton
A pair of married ex-convicts trying to go straight get jobs at a department store. A gangster who knows about their past threatens to expose it unless they agree to help him rob the department store.
Gracie
An orchestra leader turns sleuth to clear his ice-skating girlfriend for murder.
Linda 'Morgan' North
This drama is an updated version of Ulmer's 1944 film Bluebeard. It is set in New York and follows the exploits of an eccentric Parisian painter who has come to New York to escape a controversy surrounding his work. The trouble stems when the model he has used in all his work is found floating dead in the Seine.
Lola Cross
A beautiful female doctor visits her small hometown on her way back to Chicago. Her overworked uncle, who is the town's doctor, wants her to stay and help him, and he and a macho test pilot who's fallen for her come up with a plan that involves the pilot faking an illness and being treated by her, with her uncle's "help".
Patty Mitchell
Después de casi atropellarlo con su taxi, Patty Mitchell recoge un pasajero que dice tener amnesia. A medida que el extraño trata de recordar los hechos básicos de su identidad, Patty va interesando por él y decide ayudarlo. Pero, conforme las piezas del rompecabezas van cayendo en su lugar y el interés de Patty se vuelve más personal, él descubre que es el principal sospechoso en un caso de asesinato.
Herself
A young husband becomes a game-show participant in the hopes of winning the cash to pay his pregnant wife's doctor.
Constance Martin
A private eye and a niece investigate when six World War I veterans start dying in the same week.
Carol Lambert
Radio crime show host "The Fox" finds himself on the trail of a serial killer while a suspect himself.
Lenore Prentiss
An Iowa drugstore owner becomes embittered when his son is killed in World War II. The druggist believes that the boy's life was cut short before he had an opportunity to truly appreciate his existence.
Self
A multi-studio effort to show the newsreel audience the progress of the Hollywood war effort.
Carol Lambert
Radio sleuth Wally 'The Fox' Benton travels to Georgia with his fiancé Carol to be married; and to help Carol's college chum, Ellamae Downs, solve a mystery involving a murdered man, old Fort Dixon, and buried treasure.
Polly Benedict
La vida de Andy es perfecta: tiene dinero, la familia está bien, ha renunciado a las chicas e irá a la Universidad en unos días. Antes de marcharse, vende su coche a sus amigos, su hermana le pide que interceda en la sentencia de su novio por conducir ebrio, conocerá a Sheila y se comprometerá con dos chicas al mismo tiempo.
Connie Ward Abbot
Connie Ward is in seventh heaven when Gene Morrison's band rolls into town. She is swept off her feet by trumpeter Bill Abbot. After marrying him, she joins the band's tour and learns about life as an orchestra wife, weathering the catty attacks of the other band wives.
Polly Benedict
Ante el divorcio de sus padres, una adolescente decide irse a vivir con su padre.
Katherine 'Kit' White
Lee, que acaba de casarse con Katherine, se propone un descanso de sus responsabilidades matrimoniales cuando Katherine se va a la boda de una amiga. Pero pronto se aburre y acaba en casa de los suegros. Lo malo es que también se cansa de las injerencias de su suegro en su vida personal, lo cual le provoca problemas con Katherine.
Anne Grayson
Bob Holliday, propietario de un saloon, envía a su hermano Jim al este para que le traiga a su prometida. Pero durante el camino, Jim se enamora de ella y ambos se casan antes de regresar a su hogar.
Polly Benedict
Una vez graduado en el instituto, Andy Hardy decide que ya es un adulto y ha de decidir qué hacer con su vida. El juez Hardy confiaba en que fuera a la Facultad de Derecho, pero Andy no se decide y va a Nueva York para encontrar trabajo. Demasiado orgulloso para aceptar la ayuda de Betsy Booth, no tarda en descubrir que vivir solo no es tan fácil. Por fin, encuentra empleo, y hasta concierta una cita con la bella recepcionista de la oficina. También ha de afrontar varias lecciones de la cida, hasta llegar a la conclusión de que tal vez sea menos adulto de lo que creía.
Carol Lambert
The operators of 'Silver Haven', a cultish group bilking gullible rich people out of money, is set to inherit a large sum after the deceased woman's heir also dies. Leader Joesph Jones decides to hurry the process along and kidnaps Wally Benton, his fiancé, and a friend, to further this goal. Wally, 'The Fox', is a radio sleuth who solves murders on the air. Jones wants him to devise a perfect murder, and isn't above killing others sloppily along the way to get his foolproof murder plot.
Laurie Claymore
An elderly businessman (Frank Morgan) plans what he thinks is an innocent night on the town while his wife is away. Instead, he finds himself involved in a showgirl's murder.
Polly Benedict
Andy Hardy está a punto de graduarse en el instituto, y se cree un tipo muy importante, de modo que contrata a una secretaria. Ésta y su novia le ayudarán a superar el examen de inglés.
Mary Thomas
Wholesome comedy about newlyweds (and the bride's understanding--but sometimes interfering--parents) discovering married life isn't always bliss.
Lucy Kincaid
With the army after him and his partner deserting, Reb decides that a change of scenery would be nice so he heads for Wyoming with Dave.
Self
This 1940 presentation features highlights of earlier (1928 onward) Oscar ceremonies including Shirley Temple and Walt Disney, plus acceptance speeches for films released in 1939 with recipients and presenters including Vivien Leigh, Judy Garland, Hattie McDaniel, Fay Bainter, Mickey Rooney, Thomas Mitchell, Sinclair Lewis, and more, with host Bob Hope.
Lydia Bennet
Elizabeth (Greer Garson) es una de las 5 hermanas Bennet, que están deseando casarse. Darcy (Lawrence Olivier) es un joven apuesto que se instala en una finca cercana y hace latir los corazones de todas las chicas. De todas menos en el caso de Elizabeth, con la que desde el primer encuentro se lleva fatal. Este será el inicio de una historia basada en la lucha discreta y elegante de orgullo y prejuicio, de percepción y realidad, de perdón y de amor.
Polly Benedict
El juez Andy Hardy se muda con su familia a Nueva York. Allí, su hijo Andrés se enamora de una chica de la alta sociedad. Éste intenta por todos los medios acercarse a ella, sin tener en cuenta que Betsy tiene la clave del asunto en sus manos.
Self
This short promotes the premise that movies often create a demand for the fashions seen in them. It starts with a vignette in rural America. A mother and daughter go to town to buy a new dress. In the dress shop window is a designer dress worn by Joan Crawford in a recent movie. We then go to Hollywood and visit Adrian, MGM's chief of costume design, and see how multiple copies of a single clothing pattern are produced. The film ends with short segments of several MGM features.
Billie Adams
Comic mayhem results when a small town pet store owner, mistakenly believed killed during a sea voyage, turns up very much alive. Director William Thiele's 1940 film stars Frank Morgan, Billie Burke, Ann Rutherford, John Shelton, Harold Huber, Donald Meek, Nat Pendleton, Renie Riano, Frank Albertson, Reginald Owen, Ann Morriss and Richard Carle.
Polly Benedict (uncredited)
Andy wants to buy a new car so he goes into the judge's home office where his father is about to write a $200 check to charity. He asks his dad for the $200 and they go used car shopping.
Polly Benedict
El juez Hardy intenta localizar a un pariente de una pareja de edad avanzada, con el fin de impedir que pierdan su hogar. Para ello, recaba la ayuda de su hijo Andy.
Carreen O'Hara
Georgia, 1861. En la elegante mansión sureña de Tara, vive Scarlett O'Hara, la joven más bella, caprichosa y egoísta de la región. Ella suspira por el amor de Ashley, pero él está prometido con su prima, la dulce y bondadosa Melanie. Corren todavía tiempos felices en Tara, pero por poco tiempo, porque la Guerra de Secesión (1861-1865) está a punto de estallar. En la última fiesta, celebrada antes del comienzo de las hostilidades entre el norte y el sur, Scarlett conoce al simpático, cínico y apuesto Rhett Butler, un vividor arrogante y aventurero, que sólo piensa en sí mismo y que no tiene ninguna intención de participar en el conflicto. Lo que él desea es hacerse rico y conquistar el corazón de la hermosa Scarlett.
Eve Greeley
Una universitaria se esfuerza por sobrevivir en la academia y en el mundo del espectáculo.
Mary Rose Wilston
Un estudiante universitario borracho invita a una chica al gran baile, pero luego olvida que se lo pidió. Cuando ella se presenta en la universidad, él trata de deshacerse de ella, pero la chica no se marcha, se mantiene en sus trece y se deja ver con él ante sus presumidos compañeros de clase.
Polly Benedict
Andy Hardy se enamora de su profesora de teatro. Cuando eligen su obra para ser interpretada en el instituto, aprovecha la oportunidad para estar el máximo de tiempo posible con ella. Entretanto, el juez Hardy tiene problemas cuando se ve obligado a formar una compañía de aluminio falsa.
Sister of Dead Soldier (uncredited)
This MGM Passing Parade series short tells the story of Clara Barton, the founder of the Red Cross.
Polly Benedict
En esta sexta entrega, los Harvey heredan dos millones de dólares y se mudan a Detroit. Allí Andy (Mickey Rooney) se enamora locamente de una corista (Virginia Grey).
Patricia 'Pat' Page
Young Women go through Nursing School together, each with there own motivation for being there. They learn more than how to be a Nurse.
Spirit of Christmas Past
Ebenezer Scrooge, el hombre más avaro de la ciudad, tiene prácticamente esclavizado a su empleado el señor Cratchit. Una noche se le aparece el espíritu de un antiguo socio, al que seguirán los fantasmas de las Navidades pasadas, presentes y futuras. Adaptación del popular cuento "A Christmas Carol", del escritor inglés Charles Dickens (1812-1870).
Yvonne
Aspiring actress Louise Muban attends the prestigious Paris School of Drama during the day and works at a dreary factory assembling gas meters at night. She daydreams and "acts" her way through life, and her fellow students at school begin to suspect her stories are just that - fabrications. After Louise begins to weave an actual meeting with a debonair playboy into a fantasy of club dates and romance, her classmate Nana discovers the lie when she too meets the playboy. Nana sets a trap for Louise, and the result is an end to one fantasy and the realization of another.
Polly Benedict
Cuando el juez Hardy recibe la carta de una vieja amiga, en la que le explica que puede perder su rancho de Arizona por culpa de un vecino, decide ir en persona a solucionar el problema, acompañado de su familia.
Polly Benedict
Un muchacho de una pequeña ciudad se enreda con tres chicas a la vez.
Polly Benedict
El juez Hardy va en viaje de negocios a Washington, donde Andy no tarda en enamorarse de la hija del embajador francés.
Annie Hawks
Ohio, 1840. Un pastor llega a una pequeña comunidad dispuesto a ofrecer sus servicios espirituales, y encuentra a unas gentes mezquinas e incapaces de aceptar cualquier síntoma de progreso. El hijo del pastor se rebela contra esta situación y marcha a Baltimore para estudiar medicina. Cuando estalla la Guerra Civil Americana, el muchacho se alista en el frente.
Polly Benedict
De vacaciones con su familia en la isla Catalina, Andy Hardy se enamora de una sofisticada belleza. El juez Hardy advierte a su hijo que ella es demasiado lista para él.
Third Peasant Girl (uncredited)
A poor singer in a bar masquerades as a rich society woman thanks to a rich benefactor.
Kitty Wooster
In the fine tradition of And Sudden Death, Columbia's The Devil is Driving tabulates the dangers of drunken driving in an exciting, unabashedly melodramatic fashion. In his first true portrayal of a "little creep," Elisha Cook Jr. stars as Tony, the spoiled-rotten son of the wealthy and influential Mr. Stevens.
Helen Morgan
Deputies Gene Autry and Frog go up against modern cattle rustlers. These rustlers use technology such as, airplanes, radios and refrigerated trucks to steal the cows, butcher them in the field and ship them out before getting caught. This causes the town to bring in a modern NYC detective to catch the crooks, but will Autry and Frog be permanently out of a job?
Lisette
In this short, the janitor of a Paris museum's Egyptology department agrees to help a girl hide from the police.
Train Passenger
Two reporters pose as man and wife in order to get the goods on a munitions supplier and the rumours of war in Europe.
Annie Laurie
In late 18th century Scotland, Annie Laurie and William Douglas love each other, but their clans are on opposite sides of the country's civil war. Their love is made immortal through the title song of this film.
Helen Pappas
Greek sponge divers in Tarpon Springs, Florida duel over diving methods and fight over the same girl, and only one will survive.
Virginia Terry
A pesar de que luchó por el Norte en la Guerra Civil, el Gobernador de Texas le pide a John que se deshaga de algunos de los molestos ladrones de alfombras. Pide la ayuda de Holden antes de saber que Holden también está saqueando a la gente local.
Ruth Jameson
In a small town in Indiana in the 1890s, the domineering and ambitious Mrs. Biddle arranges a marriage between her spoiled daughter Thelma and the town's prize catch, harvester David Langston, who is wedded to the soil. David is friends with orphan Ruth Jameson and, although she is in love with him, he eventually gives in to the machinations of Mrs. Biddle and consents to marry Thelma. Meanwhile, technological advances come to town, including its first gasoline buggy, galvanic battery, and metal bathtub fitted with running water. When Mrs. Biddle tries to convince David to give up the farming life and join her husband in real estate, Mr. Biddle, hen-pecked and dissatisfied with city life, warns David against selling his farm.
Dolores Moreno
His horse Champion steals the show from Gene when what's at stake is a horse race and a bull fight.
Joan Dugan
Kate Flannagan and Belle Dugan operate a downtown coffee shop and, while dispensing their locally-famous doughnuts, engage in their favorite pastime, friendly quarreling between themselves. This changes when Belle suddenly becomes heir to a small fortune which allows her to crash high-society and make her daughter,Joan, a débutante. This creates a rift between the two former partners, with the result that the proud Kate refuses to accept her friend's good fortune nor allow her son, Jerry, who is in love with Joan, to do so.
Janet Carter
Los agentes federales Tipton y Bridger han sido enviados a Wyoming, donde la votación para convertirse en un Estado es inminente. Plummer y su pandilla están fuera para asegurarse de que la votación falle. Cuando los hombres de Plummer matan a Bridger, Tipton sigue luchando...
Anne Ridgeley
Army Captain takes a leave of absence to find out what happened to his missing father.....
Lettie Morgan
Tex rides to the rescue when badguys led by LaCrosse and Utah Joe kidnap Lettie.
Frances Schiller
Corporal Larry Grant and Sergeant "Mac" McGowan, of the United States Marine Corps, are rival for the love of Frances Schiller, but team up to hunt down "The Tiger Shark," a mad, scientific wizard who is holding Sergeant William Schiller, Frances' brother, a prisoner on a wild, jungle island in the Pacific.
Millicent Thomas
Gene goes after the badguys after they kidnap the baby he should have been babysitting.
Joan O'Brien
When a young man is befriended by a gambling ship operator and made a partner in the business, he becomes involved in a police manhunt after he covers up a murder committed by his new partner.
Student
A philosophy professor accompanies his school's rowing team on a worldwide tour.
