LOVE ME OR LEAVE ME(1955)

Love Me or Leave Me (1955). Biographical film about the the life story of Ruth Etting, a singer who rose from dancer to movie star. Cast: Doris Day, James Cagney, and Cameron Mitchell. Director: Charles Vidor. Cagney suggested that Day be cast in the Etting role. The role had been sought by Ava Gardner, but Cagney persuaded MGM to cast Day. Love Me or Leave Me won the Academy Award for Best Writing, Motion Picture Story, and was nominated for Best Actor in a Leading Role (James Cagney), Best Music, Scoring of a Musical Picture, Best Music, Song (for Nicholas Brodzsky and Sammy Cahn for "I'll Never Stop Loving You"), Best Sound, Recording and Best Writing, Screenplay. Most of the songs in the movie were 1930s hits that Etting had recorded earlier. Two new songs, however, were written specifically for the film: "Never Look Back" by Chilton Price, and "I'll Never Stop Loving You," by Nicholas Brodzsky and Sammy Cahn.

In a 1920s Chicago dance club, small-time gangster Martin Snyder is collecting money for his protection racket when an fight breaks out because Ruth Etting kicked a customer for getting fresh. Ruth is fired, and Marty who is known as "The Gimp" offers to help with her show business career through his nightclub connections. Marty gets Ruth a job as a dancer at a up scale nightclub, where she meets pianist Johnny Alderman. Eager wants Ruth to become his mistress and tells Ruth she is going to Miami with him, but she refuses. Marty hires Johnny as her singing coach and it Ruth turns out she has natural singing talent. Johnny warns her that Marty does not have good intentions, but Ruth says that she needs him to help her career. Marty arranges for Ruth to sing at the club, and her show is a great success. Marty fills Ruth's dressing room with flowers and tells her after the show that they will celebrate at his house in the country. Ruth tells him she is too tired to go out, but Marty informs her that she does not have a choice. Ruth talks Marty, into canceling the weekend plans. One night after a show, Ruth introduces Marty to New York agent Bernard V. Loomis, who says he has a show booking for her. Marty tells Loomis no, that he wants to get Ruth a radio program, with Johnny conducting the orchestra. Now also in love with Ruth, Johnny wants her to end her relationship with Marty and let Loomis represent her, but she refuses. As Ruth's popularity grows, she continues to string Snyder along to get ahead.

I thought Doris Day was wonderful performing opposite Cagney.

FUN FACTS:

This was the only time, that James Cagney ever accepted second billing for a major role. He thought that Doris Days character was more central to the film.

Of the 62 films he made, James Cagney wrote that this film was one his top five favorites.

Soundtracks:

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"I'm Sitting on Top of the World"
(uncredited)
Music by Ray Henderson
Lyrics by Sam Lewis and Joe Young
Sung by Claude Stroud

"It All Depends On You"
(uncredited)
Music by Ray Henderson
Lyrics by Buddy G. DeSylva and Lew Brown
Sung by Doris Day

"You Made Me Love You (I Didn't Want to Do It)"
(uncredited)
Music by James V. Monaco
Lyrics by Joseph McCarthy
Sung by Doris Day

"Stay On the Right Side, Sister"
(uncredited)
Music by Rube Bloom
Lyrics by Ted Koehler
Sung by Doris Day

"Everybody Loves My Baby (but My Baby Don't Love Nobody but Me)"
(uncredited)
Music by Spencer Williams
Lyrics by Jack Palmer
Sung by Doris Day

"Mean to Me"
(uncredited)
Music by Fred E. Ahlert
Lyrics by Roy Turk
Sung by Doris Day

"Sam, the Old Accordion Man"
(uncredited)
Written by Walter Donaldson
Sung by Doris Day

"Shaking the Blues Away"
(uncredited)
Written by Irving Berlin
Sung by Doris Day
Danced by Doris Day and chorus

"Ten Cents a Dance"
(uncredited)
Music by Richard Rodgers
Lyrics by Lorenz Hart
Sung by Doris Day

"I'll Never Stop Loving You"
Music by Nicholas Brodszky
Lyrics by Sammy Cahn
Sung by Doris Day (uncredited)

"Never Look Back"
Written by Chilton Price
Sung by Doris Day (uncredited)

"At Sundown (Love Is Calling Me Home)"
(uncredited)
Written by Walter Donaldson
Sung by Doris Day

"Love Me or Leave Me"
(uncredited)
Music by Walter Donaldson
Lyrics by Gus Kahn
Played during the opening credits
Also sung by Doris Day

"Five Foot Two, Eyes of Blue (Has Anybody Seen My Girl?)"
Music by Ray Henderson
Danced by Doris Day and chorus girls

"I Miss My Swiss (My Swiss Miss Misses Me)"
Music by Abel Baer
Lyrics by L. Wolfe Gilbert
Sung by the chorus girls during rehearsal

"(What Can I Say) After I Say I'm Sorry?"
Written by Walter Donaldson and Abe Lyman
Sung by Doris Day during the sheet music montage

"I Cried for You"
Written by Arthur Freed, Gus Arnheim and Abe Lyman
Sung by Doris Day during the sheet music montage

"My Blue Heaven"
Music by Walter Donaldson
Lyrics by George Whiting
Sung by Doris Day during the sheet music montage