Watch Love Me or Leave Me

Love Me or Leave Me is a musical drama film that was released in 1955. The movie is based on the life of popular 1920s singer Ruth Etting, played by Doris Day, and her relationship with her husband and manager, Martin Snyder, played by James Cagney. The film was directed by Charles Vidor and produced by Joe Pasternak, with the music composed by Nicholas Brodszky.

The story is set in Chicago in the mid-1920s, during the rise of the jazz age. Ruth Etting is a talented singer who dreams of making it big in show business. She meets Martin Snyder, a well-known gangster who promises to help her achieve her dreams. Although Ruth is initially reluctant to become involved with a criminal, she eventually succumbs to his charms and they begin a romantic relationship.

Martin becomes Ruth's manager and begins promoting her singing career. However, as time passes, Martin becomes increasingly possessive and controlling, insisting that Ruth perform in seedy nightclubs and perform songs that he chooses. He also becomes physically abusive towards Ruth, but she continues to stay with him, believing that he will help her achieve her dreams.

As Ruth's career takes off, Martin becomes jealous and resentful of her success. He begins to sabotage her performances and attempts to control her personal life as well. Ruth becomes increasingly unhappy with her situation, but feels trapped in her relationship with Martin.

The plot of Love Me or Leave Me is driven by the conflicting emotions of Ruth and Martin. The movie explores themes of love, ambition, power, and control, as well as the harsh realities of the entertainment business during the early 20th century. The songs featured in the movie are all period-appropriate, and Day's performances of these classic jazz standards are a highlight of the film.

Doris Day delivers a powerful and nuanced performance as Ruth Etting, showcasing her singing and acting abilities. James Cagney is equally impressive as Martin Snyder, portraying him as a complex and flawed character. Cameron Mitchell plays Johnny Alderman, a musician who becomes romantically involved with Ruth, providing a romantic subplot to the film.

Overall, Love Me or Leave Me is an engaging and emotional movie that explores the struggles of a talented woman as she tries to succeed in a male-dominated industry. The film is a timeless portrait of the jazz age and a fascinating look at the complexities of relationships and ambition.

Love Me or Leave Me is a 1955 drama with a runtime of 2 hours and 2 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.1.