IMDb RATING
7.1/10
4.1K
YOUR RATING
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.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.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.
IMDb RATING
7.1/10
4.1K
YOUR RATING
- Director
- Writers
- Daniel Fuchs(screenplay)
- Isobel Lennart(screenplay)
- Stars
Top credits
- Director
- Writers
- Daniel Fuchs(screenplay)
- Isobel Lennart(screenplay)
- Stars
- Won 1 Oscar
- 4 wins & 6 nominations total
Videos1
Dorothy Abbott
- Danceras Dancer
- (uncredited)
Jay Adler
- Orryas Orry
- (uncredited)
John Alban
- Reporteras Reporter
- (uncredited)
Mal Alberts
- Reporteras Reporter
- (uncredited)
Don Anderson
- Club Patronas Club Patron
- (uncredited)
Paul Bradley
- Nightclub Patronas Nightclub Patron
- (uncredited)
- Director
- Writers
- Daniel Fuchs(screenplay) (story)
- Isobel Lennart(screenplay)
- All cast & crew
- See more cast details at IMDbPro
Storyline
In 1920s 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. —Huggo
- Taglines
- You'll Love it!...The Big Lavish Musical of the Roaring Twenties!
- Genres
- Certificate
- PG
- Parents guide
Did you know
- TriviaThis was the only time, after becoming a star in the 1930s, that James Cagney accepted second billing for a major role. He thought that Doris Day's character was more central to the film's plot and so ceded top billing to her.
- GoofsRuth Etting's name is billed over 'Ziegfeld Follies' on a theater marquee. The Ziegfeld Follies never allowed any performer's name to be placed over the title of the show.
- Quotes
Martin Snyder: [to Ruth Etting when she visits him in jail] Tell 'em you seen me in the pokey and I looked great! Tell 'em I like it! Makes me feel like a kid again!
- ConnectionsFeatured in 1955 Motion Picture Theatre Celebration (1955)
- SoundtracksI'm Sitting on Top of the World
(uncredited)
Music by Ray Henderson
Lyrics by Sam Lewis and Joe Young
Sung by Claude Stroud
Top review
Take a look
If you're not a fan of Doris Day, give this movie a viewing. No syrup or sugar in this film. It's amazing just how good she is, and I wonder why she let herself be typecast as the eternal virgin? Here's an actress that seems to be able to do almost anything and do it well, ie: sing, dance and act too.
Another great performance comes from Cameron Mitchell who I really didn't know too much about. He does a great job playing Doris' torch carrying pianist. In fact everyone does a great job in this film. The film hints about a possible drinking problem, but fails to deliver on that point. One scene in particular must have been quite shocking for 1950's audience with a possible rape in a hotel room.
"Love Me Or Leave Me" has hints of "A Star Is Born" in its fabric but it seems to fail in telling the entire Ruth Etting story. Good on all counts, but it could have been much more powerful with this cast.
Another great performance comes from Cameron Mitchell who I really didn't know too much about. He does a great job playing Doris' torch carrying pianist. In fact everyone does a great job in this film. The film hints about a possible drinking problem, but fails to deliver on that point. One scene in particular must have been quite shocking for 1950's audience with a possible rape in a hotel room.
"Love Me Or Leave Me" has hints of "A Star Is Born" in its fabric but it seems to fail in telling the entire Ruth Etting story. Good on all counts, but it could have been much more powerful with this cast.
helpful•192
- BumpyRide
- Oct 4, 2004
Details
Box office
- Budget
- $2,760,000 (estimated)
- Runtime2 hours 2 minutes
- Aspect ratio
- 2.55 : 1
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