Love Me or Leave Me is a 1955 biographical film which tells the life story of Ruth Etting, a singer who rose from dancer to movie star. It stars Doris Day as Etting, James Cagney as Martin "Moe the Gimp" Snyder, and Cameron Mitchell.
Cagney suggested to producer Joe Pasternak that Day be cast in the Etting role. The role had been sought by Ava Gardner, but Cagney persuaded MGM to cast Day. In turn, she was excited to play opposite Cagney.
The movie was written by Daniel Fuchs and Isobel Lennart. It was directed by Charles Vidor.
It 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 originally. 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.
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
Jazz Age singing sensation Ruth Etting (Doris Day) had looks, ambition and a haunting, smoketinged voice. It took more than that to make her a star. It took Marty 'The Gimp' Snyder (James Cagney), 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
