IMDb > Love Me or Leave Me (1955)

Love Me or Leave Me (1955) More at IMDbPro »

Photos (see all 8 | slideshow)

Oscar Nominations    Photos    more »

Overview

User Rating:
7.2/10   1,395 votes
Your Rating:
Saving vote...
Deleting vote...
/10   (delete | history)
Sorry, there was a problem
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 2% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Writers:
Daniel Fuchs (screenplay) and
Isobel Lennart (screenplay) ...
more
Contact:
View company contact information for Love Me or Leave Me on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
10 June 1955 (USA) more
Tagline:
You'll Love it!...The Big Lavish Musical of the Roaring Twenties! more
Plot:
A fictionalized account of the career of jazz singer Ruth Etting and her tempestuous marriage to gangster Marty Snyder, who helped propel her to stardom. full summary | add synopsis
Plot Keywords:
Awards:
Won Oscar. Another 1 win & 6 nominations more
NewsDesk:
(2 articles)
De Niro Biography Reveals All
 (From WENN. 26 March 2004)

The Elton John Story?
 (From Studio Briefing - Film News. 13 October 2003)

User Reviews:
Smashing "Gangster Musical" more (40 total)
US TV Schedule:

Cast

  (Complete credited cast)

Doris Day ... Ruth Etting

James Cagney ... Martin Snyder
Cameron Mitchell ... Johnny Alderman
Robert Keith ... Bernard V. Loomis
Tom Tully ... Frobisher
Harry Bellaver ... Georgie
Richard Gaines ... Paul Hunter
Peter Leeds ... Fred Taylor
Claude Stroud ... Eddie Fulton
Audrey Young ... Jingle Girl
John Harding ... Greg Trent
more
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

Runtime:
122 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Color (Eastmancolor)
Aspect Ratio:
2.55 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Mono (35 mm optical prints) | 4-Track Stereo (Western Electric Sound System) (35 mm magnetic prints)
Certification:
UK:A (original rating) | USA:Approved (certificate #17433) | Australia:PG (TV rating) | USA:Passed (National Board of Review) | Sweden:Btl | Australia:G | Finland:K-16 | UK:PG | Germany:6

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
Jane Russell turned down the opportunity to play Ruth Etting in hopes of landing the role of Lillian Roth in I'll Cry Tomorrow (1955). That role ended up going to Susan Hayward, leaving Russell with neither part. more
Goofs:
Audio/visual unsynchronized: During one scene late in the film where Cagney is speaking, the audio/visuals are off by more than a second. more
Movie Connections:
Soundtrack:
I'm Sitting on Top of the World more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
24 out of 25 people found the following review useful.
Smashing "Gangster Musical", 22 August 2002
9/10
Author: harry-76 from Cleveland, Ohio

"Love Me Or Leave Me" has been critically lauded and publicly supported. I can only concede it's a very fine music/drama/biopic.

What's so unique about this film is it's skillfully combining the "gangster" element with the "musical" genre. The bio-based storyline plays out like somewhat like a crime drama, while the musical portion rings forth with twelve complete full-bodied numbers.

The casting is truly inspired: what a coup getting Doris Day, at the peak of her physical, acting and vocal powers to be cast in a real-life role, while snaring the brilliant, often breathtaking James Cagney--forever at the peak of his powers--as the indestructible "Gimp."

Together they create fireworks, playing off one another's sweet 'n' sour characterizations with great relish. How amusing it is to see Cagney having fun with his deft limp-walk and grueling thug-character, complemented by Day's equally enjoyable, contrastingly lovable persona.

The songs are all very beautiful, and expertly rendered by Day in this, a wonderful tribute to her vocal talent and impressive musicianship.

The script is well-written to utilize the stars' individual gifts, and the widescreen production is a delight to watch. After all these years, "Love Me Or Leave Me" holds its own, thanks to the contributions of two now-legendary stars.

Was the above review useful to you?
more (40 total)

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Love Me or Leave Me (1955)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
Marty's Daughter alpinebixby
Why Colorado Springs? alpinebixby
Marty alpinebixby
Photo of Ruth and Marty and Follies photos and more! alpinebixby
Why did she marry him? au-grad
Where can I get the script ? sjm59
more

Recommendations

If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
- - - - -
The Bad and the Beautiful The Bodyguard Funny Girl Chicago The Helen Morgan Story
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
Show more recommendations

Related Links

Full cast and crew Company credits External reviews
News articles IMDb Biography section IMDb USA section
Add this title to MyMovies

You may report errors and omissions on this page to the IMDb database managers. They will be examined and if approved will be included in a future update. Clicking the 'Update' button will take you through a step-by-step process.