Wesley Ruggles

American director and producer Wesley Ruggles began with Charlie Chaplin at Essanay as a supporting player, after a brief stint as a Keystone Kop. In the '30s and '40s, Ruggles directed and produced many features, primarily romantic comedies. He was responsible for many memorable screen teamings, including that of Clark Gable and Carole Lombard in their only film together, No Man of Her Own (1932); he also teamed Ronald Colman and Ann Harding, Richard Dix and Irene Dunne, and Claudette Colbert and Fred MacMurray (twice). He directed MacMurray opposite Carole Lombard, Irene Dunne, and Jean Arthur as well. Ruggles directed Bing Crosby singing "Learn to Croon" in College Humor (1933), Sally Rand's fan dance in Bolero (1934), and I'm No Angel, the definitive Mae West vehicle. He also piloted Gladys George through Valiant Is the Word for Carrie (1936), the quintessential '30s woman's picture. His Cimarron (1931) was an early Academy Award winner for Best Picture.

~ All Movie Guide