Biography
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