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Posted by Faye Bell on December 05, 2007 at 19:21:06:
ANN RUTHERFORD STILL GRATEFUL FOR "GONE WITH THE WIND"
(Los Angeles) Daily News, November 28, 2007
http://www.dailynews.com/search/ci_7575186?IADID=Search-www.dailynews.com-www.dailynews
Ann Rutherford still grateful for "Gone With the Wind"
By Greg Hernandez, Columnist
Article Last Updated: 11/27/2007 10:16:52 PM PST
Ann Rutherford played Scarlett O'Hara's youngest sister in "Gone With the Wind" and, along with Olivia de Havilland, is one of the few surviving cast members from that classic Oscar-winning film.
Rutherford portrayed the sweet Carreen O'Hara and has never tired of being associated with the 1939 classic even though she appeared in many other films before retiring from movies more than 30 years ago.
"It's amazing the benefits it has given to my later years," she said recently. "This year, I've already gone to six different festivals for "Gone With the Wind" and I'm already booked for one next year the first week in May in Hawaii. Who knew?
"In those days, a movie ran a year and then they made guitar picks out of it. But `Gone With the Wind' is 69 years old, and I am honored to be invited to anything for it. There aren't many of us left."
Rutherford, who turned 87 on Nov. 2, was born with showbiz in her blood. Her father sang with the Metropolitan Opera, while her mother was a silent-screen actress.
She made her stage debut at age 5 and was still in her teens when she debuted in the 1934 film "Carnival in Paris." She quickly landed other parts, including the role of Polly Benedict in eight of the wildly popular "Andy Hardy" movies starring Mickey Rooney.
She appeared in a few more big hits in the '40s, including "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty" and "Adventures of Don Juan." She then turned to television, appearing in many live broadcasts as well as four episodes of "Perry Mason."
Rutherford married David May in 1942, and they had two children. The couple divorced in 1953, the same year she married William Dozier. He died in 1991.
Rutherford returned to movies in the '70s with roles including "They Only Kill Their Masters" and the notorious 1976 flop "Won Ton Ton, the Dog Who Saved Hollywood."
That was her final film and she seems to have no regrets about stopping.
"I've been retired for many years and I travel as much as possible and I see my kids, and friends come in from the East and I go back to the East," said Rutherford, who lives in Beverly Hills.
She does keep busy, going to various events and remaining an interesting interview.
"As long as I'm vertical, I'm fine," she said. "I believe in mingling, going to see my friends."
And she still goes to the movies - a lot - with George Clooney being her favorite star.
"I am so proud of George Clooney because he paid his dues. I knew him when he was a teenager and left home to go across the country to his aunt Rosie's (Rosemary Clooney).
"He did the nothing parts and he made something out of everything that he did. I think he could well be our next Clark Gable."
greg.hernandez@dailynews.com 818-713-3758