Judith Arlen

Judith Arlen (born Laurette Elizabeth Rutherford; March 18, 1914[1] – June 5, 1968) was an American film actress of Canadian descent. She was the elder sister of actress Ann Rutherford.

Judith Arlen
Arlen in 1934
Born
Laurette Elizabeth Rutherford

(1914-03-18)March 18, 1914
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
DiedJune 5, 1968(1968-06-05) (aged 54)
Santa Barbara, California, U.S.
OccupationActress
RelativesAnn Rutherford (sister)

Early years

Judith Arlen was born Laurette Rutherford in Los Angeles,[2] to Canadian parents John Rutherford and Lucille (née Mansfield) Rutherford. Rutherford's mother was a silent film actress, and her father was a former operatic tenor.[3] The family moved to San Francisco, and, soon afterwards, her parents separated and Lucille Mansfield moved to Los Angeles with Laurette and her sister Ann.[4][5]

Career

Laurette took on the stage name Judith Arlen and started her acting career in 1930 with an uncredited role in the Cecil B. DeMille film Madam Satan. She had another uncredited role in 1933, but received two credited roles in 1934, and that year she was one of 13 girls selected as "WAMPAS Baby Stars" (at the time, baby star was common slang for starlet), the last year that the "WAMPAS" titles were awarded. The 1934 film Kiss and Make-Up, which starred Cary Grant, was Arlen's next-to-last film. She had a minor role in Young and Beautiful, in which she played a WAMPAS Baby Star, after which her acting career petered out. In 1935, her younger sister Ann's career was launched. Arlen worked behind the scenes for her younger sister.

In 1939, Arlen was host of the CBS Radio variety program Penthouse Blues.[6] She also performed in radio soap operas that originated in Los Angeles.[7]

By 1941, Arlen had begun using the stage name Judith Rutherford. In June 1941, she was the leading lady of the Gretna Players in Pennsylvania, performing in that company's season-opening production of Whispering Friends.[7]

Arlen also sang professionally. In 1947, she recorded "All My Love" backed by "Dat's Love" on the DeLuxe label.[8]

References
  1. "Birth of Laurette Rutherford". California Birth Index. California Vital Statistics. Retrieved October 25, 2018.
  2. Liebman, Roy (2000). The Wampas Baby Stars: A Biographical Dictionary, 1922–1934. Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland. p. 14. ISBN 0-7864-0756-5.
  3. Bergan, Ronald (June 12, 2012). "Ann Rutherford obituary". The Guardian. London. Retrieved June 13, 2012.
  4. Nelson, Valerie; Noland, Claire (June 11, 2012). "Ann Rutherford, actress in 'Gone With the Wind,' dies at 94". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved June 11, 2012.
  5. Berkvist, Robert (June 12, 2012). "Ann Rutherford, Studio Film Sweetheart, Dies at 94". The New York Times. Retrieved June 13, 2012.
  6. Terrace, Vincent (1999). Radio Programs, 1924-1984: A Catalog of More Than 1800 Shows. McFarland & Company, Inc. p. 268. ISBN 978-0-7864-4513-4.
  7. Walker, Paul (June 12, 1941). "'Citizen Kane' Will Be at the Senate June 25". Harrisburg Telegraph. Pennsylvania, Harrisburg. p. 11. Retrieved January 9, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. "Record Reviews". Billboard. August 2, 1947. p. 32. Retrieved January 10, 2021.
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