Plot Summary for
Love Me or Leave Me (1955) More at IMDbPro »

Story of torch singer Ruth Etting's rise from 1920s taxi dancer to movie star, simultaneously aided and frustrated by Chicago mobster Marty Sydney's headstrong ways and pressure tactics. Written by Ed Stephan <stephan@cc.wwu.edu>

In 1920's Chicago, Ruth Etting wants to be a renowned singer, which is a far step away from her current work as a taxi dancer. Upon walking into the dance hall and seeing her, Chicago gangster Marty Snyder immediately falls for Ruth, and works toward being her lover, which he believes he can achieve by opening up singing opportunities for her. Ruth is initially wary of Marty, but makes it clear that she is not interested in him in a romantic sense. Regardless, he does help her professionally, and through his opportunities, which are achieved through intimidation and fear, Ruth does quickly start to gain a name as a singer, which she is able to do because of her talent and despite Marty's intimidation tactics. However, the greater her success, the more reliant she becomes on him. This becomes an issue in their relationship as she believes he can take her only so far before he becomes a liability, however he will never let her go that easily. The one person who tried and tries to get Ruth away from her unhappy life with Marty is Johnny Alderman, the musical advisor Marty hired for Ruth at the first gig he got for her, and who also loves Ruth himself. Written by Huggo

Jazz Age singing sensation Ruth Etting had looks, ambition and a haunting, smoketinged voice. It took more than that to make her a star. It took Marty 'The Gimp' Snyder, the limping, evil-tempered Chicago hood who propelled Ruth from dingy dance halls to Broadway fame... but turned her offstage life into a nightmare of violence and fear. Written by Alex lapp <dorisday2004@yahoo.com>

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