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Therese Ann Rutherford (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 during the 1930s and 1940s in the Andy Hardy series, and appearing as one of Scarlett O'Hara's sisters, Carreen O'Hara in the film Gone with the Wind (1939).
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.
In 1937, Rutherford left Republic and signed a film contract with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. At MGM, Rutherford 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 loaned Rutherford to Selznick International Pictures to appear as Carreen O'Hara, a sister of Scarlett O'Hara, in the film 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. 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.
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 (1942). Rutherford's performances as Andy Hardy's sweet and patient girlfriend established her screen popularity.
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 as Polly Benedict in the final Andy Hardy film, Andy Hardy Comes Home (1958), stating that she didn't 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).
Rutherford died at her home in Beverly Hills, California, on June 11, 2012, following declining health due to heart problems. She was 94. She was cremated and her ashes given to her daughter. Her companion of twenty years was Al Morley.
| Uncredited |
| 12-chapter serial |
| lost film |
| Uncredited |
| Uncredited |
| (final film Role) |
| Annie Laurie |
| Lisette |
| Sister of Dead Soldier (uncredited) |
| Herself, Polo Fan |
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