Love Me Or Leave Me (1955)

Quite an Eye Opener for the Young Fry

Somewhere along the line I ran across a review from a young man in his 20's who had always dismissed Doris Day as a dated and somewhat silly relic of another day in Hollywood history. Until he saw this movie and what a relevation that was! Doris singing "Ten Cents a Dance" made him sit up, take notice and understand why she was a such a star. "What a babe" was, I believe, his reaction. October 26, 2008

A GEM FOR ALL CONCERNED

This bio of Ruth Etting features a knockout performance by both stars. Mr. Cagney won an Oscar nod for Best Actor ... and it remains a 50-year old puzzle as to why Miss Day didn't receive one for Best Actress. The musical numbers have the classic MGM hallmarks. The only question I have concerns the 'new' songs. Since this is a biography of a 20's singing star, how can there be 'new' current songs? True, "I'll Never Stop Loving You" was a hit for Doris and she gives it a hauntingly beautiful rendition, but it surely doesn't belong here, since Miss Etting never sang it. Still, Mr. Cagney shows why he's remained a favorite for decades. One of his traits was to never make the villain 100% detestable; to have a touch of tenderness, no matter how much a bad guy he was. He does that here with great results. In fact, all of the players here can be proud of their work here. "Love Me or Leave Me" is tender ... tense ... and terrific! October 17, 2008

love me or leave me

Love me or leave me--- Doris Day - James Cagney
Probably one of Cagney's best performaces, My wife loves Doris Day in any movie. However, I believe her acting is quite good in this feature, she doesn't go over board with the sappiness, common in most of her movies. Her singing is always great. October 13, 2008

Do like to voodoos do!

One of my favorite Dorris Day films. This version looks and sounds great. Need say more? I didn't think so. August 17, 2008

The things some do for love!

A curious love affair establishes itself when a racketeer from Chicago falls in love with a promising emerging singer. He makes the best he can to lead her to the top in U.S.A. She refuses to become her mistress despite of the fact the untiring efforts he makes to lead her to the highest stages in the country and even make of her an actress in Hollywood due his contacts. On the contrary she is in love with her musical's partner; a humble but talented pianist(Cameron Mitchell).

This amorous triangle will involve you from start to finish, not only because combines the most powerful performance of Doris Day along her career, but the alluring charm she exhibits all along the songs she sings. Doris Day was the embodiment of the feminine charm without the rampant sexuality of Marylyn Monroe, Jane Russell or Kim Novak. Her attraction was a sample of enraptured charm and gentle gaze, delicate maternal scent and notable skills for the dance. Although obviously she didn't belong to the major league of Ginger Rogers, Judy garland or Shirley Mac Laine, she kept - as Grace Kelly, Audrey Hepburn or Susan Hayward - a golden place in the affective memory of that generation. The sum of all these factors seduced Hitchcock (who made with her The man who knew too much). Her notable skills leaded eventually to the comedy genre with excellent results. That's why that dramatic role fitted so well her -taking into account he was with James Cagney- a sacred monster of acting by then.

Drama, humour, mature situations and brilliant musical stages conform a film worthy to watch from start to finish. Don't miss it!

August 8, 2008

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