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Ann Rutherford was born in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada on November 2, 1920. The daughter of a former Metropolitan Opera singer, John Guilberty and her actress mother, 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 CARNIVAL OF PARIS in 1934. Ann's talent, which was readily apparent, was signed to three films in 1935--WATERFRONT LADY, MELODY TRAIL, and THE FIGHTING MARINES. By now she was a leading lady in the fabled Westerns with two legends--John Wayne and Gene Autry. By the time Ann was seventeen, 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. Three more Hardy films were produced that same year such as OUT WEST WITH THE HARDYS, LOVE FINDS ANDY HARDY, and JUDGE HARDY'S CHILDREN. Ann did find time to play in other productions too. One which is still loved today was the Charles Dickens' classic, A CHRISTMAS CAROL where she played the sweet role of the Spirit of Christmas Past. In 1939, Ann played the role of Annie Hawks in OF HUMAN HEARTS 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, Scarlet's little sister, in GONE WITH THE WIND. Plenty of fans of the Andy Hardy series went to see it for Ann herself. Obviously the film was, unquestionably, a super hit. She, then, resumed making other movies. While working for MGM, Ann, along with the other stars, were under the watchful eye of movie mogul, Louis B. Mayer. Mayer was no different than any other film tycoon. The bottom line was profit and one couldn't really maximize profits unless they kept performers salaries minimized as much as possible. Most tried to get raises and failed. Even Mickey Rooney was turned down. But not Ann Rutherford. When she asked for a raise, she took out her bankbook and, showing 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 which was ANDY HARDY'S DOUBLE LIFE. She then left MGM and free-lanced her talent. Still Ann was in demand. In 1943 she appeared in HAPPY LAND, 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 as Donna Elena in THE ADVENTURES OF DON JUAN in 1948. After that film Ann appeared in several TV programs and didn't return to the silver screen until 1972 in THEY ONLY KILL THEIR MASTERS. Her last came in 1976 in WON TON TON, THE DOG WHO SAVED HOLLYWOOD, whereupon she retired. Ann was approached to play the older Rose in 1998's mega-hit TITANIC, but turned it down. Today she, happily, enjoy's her retirement and still is deluged with fan mail.
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