Skip to content
MovieCove
Ann Rutherford

Ann Rutherford

Actor · Died June 11, 2012, aged 94 · Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

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.

Read more

Biography from TMDB.

Born
November 2, 1917
Died
June 11, 2012 (aged 94)
From
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Works as
Actor
Titles
30 on MovieCove · 74 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 38 days to Oct 27Down 53% in 30 days

What are Ann Rutherford's films like?

Across their 24 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Bonds and Self.

Genres

Comedy12 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 65th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Comedy movies
Drama6 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 51st percentile
: browse their Drama movies
Action2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 75th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Action movies
Adventure2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 60th percentile
: browse their Adventure movies

Their MovieCove films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Bonds
44%
Self
22%
Morality
20%
Society
5%
Power
4%
Survival
4%
Ideas
1%
Romantic love14 titles, browse their movies with this themeFamily bonds10 titles, browse their movies with this themeJustice5 titles, browse their movies with this themeComing of age6 titles, browse their movies with this themeDeception4 titles, browse their movies with this themeSelf-worth4 titles, browse their movies with this themeIdentity3 titles, browse their movies with this themeClass3 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 24 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Light: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their light movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

Light 22 · Serious 1 · Dark 1

Stylized: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their stylized movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

A split, not a type: Grounded 15 · Stylized 7 · Heightened 2

Gentle: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their gentle movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

Gentle 16 · Charged 7 · Intense 1

Steady: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their steady movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

Steady 18 · Shifting 4 · Whiplash 2

Some laughs: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their some laughs movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

Straight-faced 7 · Some laughs 9 · Funny 8

Even-paced: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their even-paced movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

A split, not a type: Slow burn 13 · Even-paced 7 · Relentless 4

Casual: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their casual movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 19 · Engaged 5 · Full focus 0

Resolved: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their resolved movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 23 · Open-ended 1 · Ambiguous 0

Roles they play

13 analyzed roles

Usually the Ally: 8 of 13 analyzed roles.

Ally
8 of 13
Herald
4 of 13
Trickster
1 of 13
Show the 13 roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Warm
14
Joyful
10
Tense
7
Romantic
5
Absurd
5
Other
22

How their films linger

Feel-good19 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun13 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful6 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteCozy3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteRousing2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 1 with a twist

  • Happy20
  • Bittersweet3
  • Ambiguous1

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Ann Rutherford's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 15 of their 30 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (11).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Ann Rutherford's titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

74 credits, 30 with a MovieCove page; 7 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • Won Ton Ton: The Dog Who Saved Hollywood(1976)

    as Grayson's Studio Secretary

    Midcredits score: 13th percentile of all films

  • They Only Kill Their Masters(1972)

    as Gloria

    Midcredits score: 45th percentile of all films

  • The Bob Newhart Show(1972)

    Show 2 episodes · as Aggie Harrison

    Midcredits score: 90th percentile of all shows

  • Love, American Style (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1969)

    Show 1 episode · as Mrs. Glassmire

  • The Donna Reed Show(1958)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 64th percentile of all shows

  • Perry Mason(1957)

    Show 1 episode · as Ellen Chase · as Evelyn Cartright Forbes · as Judith Thurston · as Mona Hodge

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all shows

  • Panic! (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1957)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Climax! (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1954)

    Show 1 episode · as Bette Sullivan · as Edith Enders · as Mary Townsend

  • General Electric Theater (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1953)

    Show 1 episode · as Joan

  • Danger (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1950)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Operation Haylift (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1950)

    as Clara Masters

  • Robert Montgomery Presents (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1950)

    Show 1 episode · as Lacy Holden

  • Suspense (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1949)

    Show 1 episode · as Sally Hastings

  • Adventures of Don Juan(1948)

    as Donna Elena

    Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all films

  • The Secret Life of Walter Mitty(1947)

    as Gertrude Griswold

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all films

  • Inside Job (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1946)

    as Claire Norton

  • Murder in the Music Hall (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1946)

    as Gracie

  • The Madonna's Secret (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1946)

    as Linda 'Morgan' North

  • Bedside Manner(1945)

    as Lola Cross

    Midcredits score: 28th percentile of all films

  • Two O'Clock Courage(1945)

    as Patty Mitchell

    Midcredits score: 58th percentile of all films

  • Take It or Leave It (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1944)

    as (archive footage) (uncredited)

  • Bermuda Mystery (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1944)

    as Constance Martin

  • Whistling in Brooklyn(1943)

    as Carol Lambert

    Midcredits score: 69th percentile of all films

  • Happy Land (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1943)

    as Lenore Prentiss

  • Whistling in Dixie (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1942)

    as Carol Lambert

  • Andy Hardy's Double Life(1942)

    as Polly Benedict

    Midcredits score: 58th percentile of all films

  • Orchestra Wives (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1942)

    as Connie Ward Abbot

  • The Courtship of Andy Hardy(1942)

    as Polly Benedict

    Midcredits score: 57th percentile of all films

  • This Time for Keeps (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1942)

    as Katherine 'Kit' White

  • Flag of Mercy (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1942)

    as Clara's Student

  • Badlands of Dakota (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1941)

    as Anne Grayson

  • Life Begins for Andy Hardy (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1941)

    as Polly Benedict

  • Whistling in the Dark(1941)

    as Carol Lambert

    Midcredits score: 69th percentile of all films

  • Washington Melodrama (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1941)

    as Laurie Claymore

  • Andy Hardy's Private Secretary(1941)

    as Polly Benedict

    Midcredits score: 65th percentile of all films

  • Keeping Company (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1940)

    as Mary Thomas

  • Wyoming (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1940)

    as Lucy Kincaid

  • Pride and Prejudice(1940)

    as Lydia Bennet

    Midcredits score: 84th percentile of all films

  • Andy Hardy Meets Debutante(1940)

    as Polly Benedict

    Midcredits score: 63rd percentile of all films

  • The Ghost Comes Home(1940)

    as Billie Adams

    Midcredits score: 35th percentile of all films

  • Andy Hardy's Dilemma: A Lesson in Mathematics... and Other Things (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1940)

    as Polly Benedict (uncredited)

  • Judge Hardy and Son(1939)

    as Polly Benedict

    Midcredits score: 69th percentile of all films

  • Gone with the Wind(1939)

    as Carreen O'Hara

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all films

  • Dancing Co-Ed (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1939)

    as Eve Greeley

  • These Glamour Girls (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1939)

    as Mary Rose Wilston

  • Andy Hardy Gets Spring Fever(1939)

    as Polly Benedict

    Midcredits score: 64th percentile of all films

  • Angel of Mercy (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1939)

    as Sister of Dead Soldier (uncredited)

  • The Hardys Ride High (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1939)

    as Polly Benedict

  • Four Girls in White (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1939)

    as Patricia 'Pat' Page

  • A Christmas Carol(1938)

    as Spirit of Christmas Past

    Midcredits score: 91st percentile of all films

  • Dramatic School (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1938)

    as Yvonne

  • Out West with the Hardys(1938)

    as Polly Benedict

    Midcredits score: 62nd percentile of all films

  • Love Finds Andy Hardy(1938)

    as Polly Benedict

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all films

  • Judge Hardy's Children (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1938)

    as Polly Benedict

  • Of Human Hearts(1938)

    as Annie Hawks

    Midcredits score: 70th percentile of all films

  • You're Only Young Once(1937)

    as Polly Benedict

    Midcredits score: 64th percentile of all films

  • The Bride Wore Red(1937)

    as Third Peasant Girl (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 57th percentile of all films

  • The Devil Is Driving (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1937)

    as Kitty Wooster

  • Public Cowboy No. 1(1937)

    as Helen Morgan

    Midcredits score: 27th percentile of all films

  • Carnival in Paris (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1937)

    as Lisette

  • Espionage (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1937)

    as Train Passenger

  • Annie Laurie (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1936)

    as Annie Laurie

  • Down to the Sea(1936)

    as Helen Pappas

    Midcredits score: 25th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • The Lonely Trail(1936)

    as Virginia Terry

    Midcredits score: 18th percentile of all films

  • The Harvester (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1936)

    as Ruth Jameson

  • Comin' 'Round the Mountain (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1936)

    as Dolores Moreno

  • Doughnuts and Society (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1936)

    as Joan Dugan

  • The Lawless Nineties (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1936)

    as Janet Carter

  • The Oregon Trail (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1936)

    as Anne Ridgeley

  • The Singing Vagabond (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1935)

    as Lettie Morgan

  • The Fighting Marines (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1935)

    as Frances Schiller

  • Melody Trail(1935)

    as Millicent Thomas

    Midcredits score: 31st percentile of all films

  • Waterfront Lady (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1935)

    as Joan O'Brien

  • Student Tour (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1934)

    as Student

Career shape

Star power in the 89th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 74 titles from 1934 to 1976.

Biggest box office

Gone with the Wind (1939)

$402M worldwide

Highest rated

Gone with the Wind (1939)

Midcredits 97th

Film career

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting74 of 74: 74 only acting, 0 with another role · typical Midcredits score64th

By decade

1930s33 · acting1940s29 · acting1950s8 · acting1960s1 · acting1970s3 · acting

Billing

usually 6th · top billed in 0% of 8 roles

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30.

How do Ann Rutherford's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 63rd percentile, the median of all 27; across their 24 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 61st percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

61stpercentile
Typical film, the median of 24

Approval · how many liked their films

65thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 24

Reach · how many have seen their films

34thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 24

Midcredits score across 30 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up7
  • 50th to 74th15
  • 25th to 49th6
  • Below 25th2

Shape of the crowd

17 of their 30 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved4
  • Crowd Pleaser17
  • Broadly Agreed3
  • Mixed6

Most divisive · actor

Won Ton Ton: The Dog Who Saved Hollywood (1976)

64th percentile spread · 44% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

Gone with the Wind (1939)

Midcredits 97th · 85% liked

Reviewers score the acting 72/100 in their films, across 24 reviewed titles; fans 77, detractors 51. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Is Ann Rutherford's work okay for kids?

Across a limited sample of up to 3 MovieCove titles with content scores.

Their medianMedian of all films
Sex & Nudity3 titlesmedian 8 · minimalMedian of all films: 32

Severity 0–100 from the Content Guide. Categories with under 10 votes on a title are not counted.

Who does Ann Rutherford work with?

People who share at least 2 of Ann Rutherford's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Aurania Rouverol shares the most, 9.

Directors

Writers

Actors

  • Fay Holden9 titles    See all 9 shared titles with Fay Holden
  • Lewis Stone9 titles    See all 9 shared titles with Lewis Stone
  • Mickey Rooney9 titles    See all 9 shared titles with Mickey Rooney
  • Cecilia Parker8 titles    See all 8 shared titles with Cecilia Parker

Composers, cinematographers and editors

Producers