 |
| Doris Day and James Cagney |
Based on the life of 1920s singer Ruth Etting, the story opens with Ruth, played by Miss Day, working as a dime-a-dance girl in a cheesy Chicago club when she is spotted by tough-guy Marty “the Gimp” Snyder. Marty is the owner of a legitimate laundry that illegitimately forces nightclub owners to use his service, thus making this intimidating thug rich and powerful. Marty is smitten by tough-cookie Ruth and introduces her to his clients securing her jobs in the chorus and then as a featured singer.
Ruth Etting has talent, but she uses Marty for his connections to advance her career. She falls in love with a musician, played by Cameron Mitchell, who urges her to get away from the gangster before it is too late. Ruth puts her career first and ends up marrying Marty.
As she rises in fame, Marty fearing he is losing control of her, causes problems everywhere she works.
Cagney, as Marty, is great as usual and is possibly more ferocious here than in his portrayal of psychopath Cody Jarrett in “White Heat.” He is also more understandable, even sympathetic, than any of his other gangster roles. Doris Day gives her best performance ever as the determined Ruth. Any other actress attempting this role would have been hated by the audience, but due to Miss Day’s charm and voice, she wins viewers.
“Love Me Or Leave Me” was directed by Charles Vidor, who made the 1946 noir classic “Gilda.” It was produced by Joe Pasternak, one of the three staff supervisors of MGM musicals.
The picture features plenty of Ruth’s 1920s songs, updated to Doris Day’s style, including the tough, “Ten Cents a Dance,” along with “At Sundown,” and this simple version of “I’ll Never Stop Loving You.”
I do like this movie, Elgin, but I am a huge fan of Cagney so would probably like anything he is in. I do find it depressing, but that speaks well for the movie that I can be so affected by it.
ReplyDeleteTracy – I am a fan of both stars. And, yes, this movie, even with all the songs and color photography, is a harsh story.
DeleteI like Cagney, but I've only seen a limited number of his films. My dad loved him too. Angels With Dirty Faces is a favourite. I quite liked Pat O'Brien too in this one.
ReplyDeleteCol – Cagney was larger than life. ANGELS is the most fun you’ll ever have watching a gangster film, and along with Jimmy and Pat, you also get Ann Sheridan and Humphrey Bogart.
Delete