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Ann Rutherford Collection

Best remembered for playing Scarlett's sister in Gone with the Wind, Ann Rutherford appeared in more than 60 pictures and was featured as Andy Hardy's girlfriend.

Ann Rutherford

31 old time radio show recordings
(total playtime 15 hours, 51 min)
available in the following formats:

1 MP3 CD
or
16 Audio CDs


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Play a sample episode from January 09, 1945:

"Mail Call with Ann Rutherford, Johnny Mercer, and Garry Moore"



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Text on OTRCAT.com ©2001-2024 OTRCAT INC All Rights Reserved. Reproduction is prohibited.

Ann Rutherford
(1917 – 2012)

Ann RutherfordThe phenomenon of Gone with the Wind in Hollywood is difficult to appreciate. Margaret Mitchell's tome captured the imagination of the entire country. Published when the Nation was coming out of the Great Depression, the novel's themes of survival through sheer determination resonated with readers. And there were plenty of readers. Mitchell worried that at the princely sum of three dollars per copy, readers would be put off but it was a bestseller even before the critics got around to giving their opinion. The book won the Pulitzer Prize for fiction and the National Book Award from the American Booksellers Association. Even today, Gone with the Wind is considered America's second favorite book after the Bible.

Given such popularity, it comes as a surprise that a bidding war for the movie rights to the novel did not break out but the big studios shied away from the project. MGM, RKO, and Selznick International all passed. Jack Warner and other Warner Bros executives saw potential in the story, but their biggest star, Bette Davis, was not interested. Twentieth Century Fox did make a bid but the money offered was insufficient. Finally, David O. Selznick's business partners and story editor encouraged him to take a closer look at the project. Selznick bought the movie rights to Gone with the Wind, and the project became an instant movie phenomenon.

Finding the players to bring the story to the screen is a story unto itself. Clark Gable in the role of Rhett Butler was obvious, and much has been written about the search and the 1400 actress interviews that were part of the search for Scarlett, but actors were even desperate to fill the lesser roles in the picture. Louis B. Mayer was reluctant to loan out Ann Rutherford to play one of Scarlett's sisters because he thought the role was too small for one of his most consistent money-makers. Ann had other ideas. When Mayer called her into his office, she argued, begged, and uncharacteristically even broke into tears before the studio boss relented and allowed her to work on the project. A huge fan of the novel, Rutherford later said, "I just wanted to see the book come to life".

Vancouver native (b. 1917) Ann Rutherford was hardly a new face in Hollywood when production began on Gone with the Wind. She was just a baby when her family migrated to San Francisco. Her parents split soon thereafter, and her mother continued south to Los Angeles. While roller skating home from junior high school, Ann used to detour into the viewing rooms of the radio stations along Wilshire Blvd to watch the actors working. One day her English teacher gave her bad marks which Ann felt she did not deserve. "I wouldn't have to listen to Miss So-and-So if I were an actress", she thought, and from her time watching the players at the radio studios. The problem was getting hired as a girl in her early teens. Rutherford composed a fake resume, took her best shot, and was soon playing Nancy in Nancy and Dick: The Spirit of 76 over KFAC.

Ann RutherfordIn 1935, Ann signed with Mascot Pictures which would soon be part of the merger that formed Republic Pictures. Her first picture was Waterfront Lady (1935), and she was still in her teens when she began to appear in B Westerns with Gene Autry and John Wayne, who also got their start at Mascot. "I was Gene Autry's first leading lady," Ann claimed, "and the only one he ever kissed – after that he kissed his horses". MGM bought her contract in 1937 to play Polly Benedict in the Andy Hardy series. The films were a hit because they "had such a wonderful outlook on life".

Rutherford was one of the few players who could get the best of Louis Mayer in salary negotiations. Even though MGM was considered the classiest studio in Hollywood, Mayer protected his profits by keeping a tight rein on actor's salaries. Even Mickey Rooney who was bringing in so much profit with Andy Hardy was woefully underpaid. When Ann thought she needed a raise, she took her bankbook into Mayer's office and showed it to him, then told him that she promised to buy her mother a house. She got the raise.

Although her part in Gone with the Wind was a small one, it became a huge part of her life. Gone with the Wind "was Selznick's baby" Ann later related, "And woe betide any actor who interjected an extra if, and or but." At one point she thought to help the production to save a few dollars and suggested that the expensive lace used in her petticoats could be substituted with more affordable muslin. "You are not to forget that you are the daughter of one of the richest plantation owners in Georgia" Selznick imperiously replied. During the cotton-picking scene, Ann and Evelyn Keyes were delivered to the field early and instructed to begin picking before the crew was ready to begin filming so that their hands would be "thoroughly bitten up" by the time to make the shot.

Ann played Red Skelton's on-screen girlfriend in the mystery comedies Whistling in the Dark (1941), Whistling in Dixie (1942), and Whistling in Brooklyn (1943), demonstrating her talent for comedy. On New Year's Eve, 1942, Ann married David May II, one of the heirs to the May department stores, and had a daughter in 1943. They divorced in 1953. She left MGM in 1943 and began a successful career as a freelance artist. In addition to films, she made a foray into the new medium of television.

After her divorce from May, she was late for a date with producer William Dozier. Miffed, Dozier had torn a page from a dictionary and underlined the word "telephone", which he handed to her. Ann felt that if he cared enough to deface an unabridged dictionary, he must be special, and they were married in April 1953. Dozier would go on to produce TV's Batman series during the sixties, and remained with Ann until his death in 1991.

Ann Rutherford was one of the last surviving stars of Gone with the Wind. Rutherford passed away on June 11, 2012, at her home in Beverly Hills.

Two Stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame honor Ann Rutherford, one at 6834 Hollywood Blvd for her contributions to Motion Pictures and another at 6331 Hollywood Blvd for Television.

Text on OTRCAT.com ©2001-2024 OTRCAT INC All Rights Reserved. Reproduction is prohibited.

These classic recordings are available in the following formats:

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  • MP3 CDs are delivered by mail. These archival quality MP3 CDs are playable in your computer and many MP3 player devices.



    31 recordings on 1 MP3 CD for just $5.00. Total playtime 15 hours, 51 min
    31 recordings on 1 MP3 CD for just $5.00
    total playtime 15 hours, 51 min
    Add MP3 CD Collection to Cart

    1. 31 shows - total playtime 15 hours 51 minutes
    2. America Calling 410208 Salute To Greece Part 1.mp3
    3. Bill Stern Sports Newsreel 460913 358 Ann Rutherford.mp3
    4. Blondie 490000 In Paris With Mr And Mrs Dithers No Ending.mp3
    5. Blondie 500000 Dagwood Loses Dithers 5000 Dollars.mp3
    6. Blondie 500216 Alexander Actor.mp3
    7. Cavalcade Of America 480419 Winner Takes Life.mp3
    8. Continental Celebrity Club 460112 0006 Ann Rutherford.mp3
    9. CP 450614 179 Ann Rutherford Bob Hope King Sisters.mp3
    10. Duffys Tavern 440516 Prince Michael Romanoff.mp3
    11. Eddie Bracken 450318 08 Pretend Marriage And Baby Scales.mp3
    12. Eddie Bracken 450401 10 Switching Beauty Contestant Pictures.mp3
    13. Eddie Bracken Show 450128 01 Eddie Inherits Baby.mp3
    14. Eddie Bracken Show 450311 07 Connies Shorty Costume.mp3
    15. Eddy Duchin And Orchestra Blue Skies.mp3
    16. Gi Jive 460 Shortin Bread Eddie Miller.mp3
    17. GI Journal 000000 179 Bob Hope Ann Rutherford Alan Ladd.mp3
    18. Gi Journal 441208 072 Jack Haley Gets Date.mp3
    19. Good News Of 381124 048 Tony Martin.mp3
    20. Good News Of 381215 051 Reginald Brown.mp3
    21. Good News Of 390420 069 Mickey Rooney.mp3
    22. Mail Call 440802 103 Tribute Canada N.Shearer Cecilia Parker.mp3
    23. Mail Call 441221 124 Ann Rutherford.mp3
    24. Mail Call 450110 126 A.Rutherford Johnny Mercer Garry Moore.mp3
    25. Mail Call Afrs 103 Norma Shearer Nelson Eddy Jack Carson.mp3
    26. Mail Call Afrs 126 Ann Rutherford Lena Horne.mp3
    27. Movie Previews 410000 Life Begins For Andy Hardy.mp3
    28. Movie Previews 420000 Courtship Of Andy Hardy.mp3
    29. Movietown Radio Theater 510701 Scientific Touch.mp3
    30. Radio Readers Digest 480408 109 Spin Silver Dollar.mp3
    31. Theater Guild 520921 119 George Washington Slept Here.mp3
    32. Vox Pop 440717 Fort Ord Monterey Bay California.mp3
  • MP3 downloads are available instantly after purchase!



    31 recordings on 1 MP3 Collection Download for just $5.00. Total playtime 15 hours, 51 min
    31 recordings on 1 MP3 Collection Download for just $5.00
    total playtime 15 hours, 51 min
    Add Instant Download Collection to Cart

    1. 31 shows - total playtime 15 hours 51 minutes
    2. America Calling 410208 Salute To Greece Part 1.mp3
    3. Bill Stern Sports Newsreel 460913 358 Ann Rutherford.mp3
    4. Blondie 490000 In Paris With Mr And Mrs Dithers No Ending.mp3
    5. Blondie 500000 Dagwood Loses Dithers 5000 Dollars.mp3
    6. Blondie 500216 Alexander Actor.mp3
    7. Cavalcade Of America 480419 Winner Takes Life.mp3
    8. Continental Celebrity Club 460112 0006 Ann Rutherford.mp3
    9. CP 450614 179 Ann Rutherford Bob Hope King Sisters.mp3
    10. Duffys Tavern 440516 Prince Michael Romanoff.mp3
    11. Eddie Bracken 450318 08 Pretend Marriage And Baby Scales.mp3
    12. Eddie Bracken 450401 10 Switching Beauty Contestant Pictures.mp3
    13. Eddie Bracken Show 450128 01 Eddie Inherits Baby.mp3
    14. Eddie Bracken Show 450311 07 Connies Shorty Costume.mp3
    15. Eddy Duchin And Orchestra Blue Skies.mp3
    16. Gi Jive 460 Shortin Bread Eddie Miller.mp3
    17. GI Journal 000000 179 Bob Hope Ann Rutherford Alan Ladd.mp3
    18. Gi Journal 441208 072 Jack Haley Gets Date.mp3
    19. Good News Of 381124 048 Tony Martin.mp3
    20. Good News Of 381215 051 Reginald Brown.mp3
    21. Good News Of 390420 069 Mickey Rooney.mp3
    22. Mail Call 440802 103 Tribute Canada N.Shearer Cecilia Parker.mp3
    23. Mail Call 441221 124 Ann Rutherford.mp3
    24. Mail Call 450110 126 A.Rutherford Johnny Mercer Garry Moore.mp3
    25. Mail Call Afrs 103 Norma Shearer Nelson Eddy Jack Carson.mp3
    26. Mail Call Afrs 126 Ann Rutherford Lena Horne.mp3
    27. Movie Previews 410000 Life Begins For Andy Hardy.mp3
    28. Movie Previews 420000 Courtship Of Andy Hardy.mp3
    29. Movietown Radio Theater 510701 Scientific Touch.mp3
    30. Radio Readers Digest 480408 109 Spin Silver Dollar.mp3
    31. Theater Guild 520921 119 George Washington Slept Here.mp3
    32. Vox Pop 440717 Fort Ord Monterey Bay California.mp3
  • Standard Audio CDs are delivered by mail on archival quality media with up to 60 minutes on each CD and play in all CD players



    31 recordings on 16 Audio CDs. Total playtime 15 hours, 51 min
    31 recordings on 16 Audio CDs
    total playtime 15 hours, 51 min

    Ann Rutherford Disc A001

    1. Eddy Duchin And Orchestra Blue Skies
    2. Gi Jive 460 Shortin Bread Eddie Miller
    3. Mail Call Afrs 103 Norma Shearer Nelson Eddy Jack Carson

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Ann Rutherford Disc A002

    1. Mail Call Afrs 126 Ann Rutherford Lena Horne
    2. GI Journal 000000 179 Bob Hope Ann Rutherford Alan Ladd

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Ann Rutherford Disc A003

    1. Good News Of 381124 048 Tony Martin

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Ann Rutherford Disc A004

    1. Good News Of 381215 051 Reginald Brown

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Ann Rutherford Disc A005

    1. Good News Of 390420 069 Mickey Rooney

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Ann Rutherford Disc A006

    1. Movie Previews 410000 Life Begins For Andy Hardy
    2. America Calling 410208 Salute To Greece Part 1

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Ann Rutherford Disc A007

    1. Movie Previews 420000 Courtship Of Andy Hardy
    2. Duffys Tavern 440516 Prince Michael Romanoff
    3. Vox Pop 440717 Fort Ord Monterey Bay California

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Ann Rutherford Disc A008

    1. Mail Call 440802 103 Tribute Canada N.Shearer Cecilia Parker
    2. Gi Journal 441208 072 Jack Haley Gets Date

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Ann Rutherford Disc A009

    1. Mail Call 441221 124 Ann Rutherford
    2. Mail Call 450110 126 A.Rutherford Johnny Mercer Garry Moore

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Ann Rutherford Disc A010

    1. Eddie Bracken Show 450128 01 Eddie Inherits Baby
    2. Eddie Bracken Show 450311 07 Connies Shorty Costume

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Ann Rutherford Disc A011

    1. Eddie Bracken 450318 08 Pretend Marriage And Baby Scales
    2. Eddie Bracken 450401 10 Switching Beauty Contestant Pictures

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Ann Rutherford Disc A012

    1. CP 450614 179 Ann Rutherford Bob Hope King Sisters
    2. Continental Celebrity Club 460112 0006 Ann Rutherford

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Ann Rutherford Disc A013

    1. Bill Stern Sports Newsreel 460913 358 Ann Rutherford
    2. Radio Readers Digest 480408 109 Spin Silver Dollar
    3. Cavalcade Of America 480419 Winner Takes Life

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Ann Rutherford Disc A014

    1. Blondie 490000 In Paris With Mr And Mrs Dithers No Ending
    2. Blondie 500000 Dagwood Loses Dithers 5000 Dollars

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Ann Rutherford Disc A015

    1. Blondie 500216 Alexander Actor
    2. Movietown Radio Theater 510701 Scientific Touch

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Ann Rutherford Disc A016

    1. Theater Guild 520921 119 George Washington Slept Here

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00

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