Joan Arlen was the name actress Ann Rutherford used in her very first
movie, "Student Tour". Her sister acted under the name "Judith Arlen"
and when a phone call came to the family home asking for "Miss Arlen"
Ann responded that it was she, as Ann was an aspiring actress as well.
She reported for the audition the next day and assumed the name Joan
Arlen. Ann said whenever she posed with the star of the film, Jimmy
Durante, for publicity shots, usually along with another bevy of
beauties, she would position herself near Durante's head, and play with
his wisps of hair. Durante would play along, looking up at this one
young actress over the others. When Ann started getting other work in
Hollywood she assumed the name she was later well known for: Ann
Rutherford. Among her most popular films include The Andy Hardy films
with Mickey Rooney, Scarlett's sister in "Gone With the Wind," and
"Orchestra Wives."