Love Me or Leave Me (1955)...the life of Ruth Etting!

Love Me or Leave Me (1955) / MGM Studios

Directed By: Charles Vidor

Starring: Doris Day, James Cagney & Cameron Mitchell

Costumes By: Helen Rose

Tagline:   "...The dramatic musical love story of Ruth Etting!"

Academy Awards
Year	Result	Award	Category
1956	Won	Oscar	Best Writing, Motion Picture Story Daniel Fuchs
	Nominated	Oscar	Best Lead Actor James Cagney
			Best Music, Original Song Nicholas Brodszky (music) Sammy Cahn      (lyrics) For the song "I'll Never Stop Loving You"
			Best Music, Scoring of a Musical Picture Percy Faith George Stoll
			Best Sound, Recording Wesley C. Miller (M-G-M)
			Best Writing, Screenplay Daniel Fuchs Isobel Lennart

~ The songs placed into this classic were actually for the majority actual tunes that the actual Ruth Etting sung back in the 1930's such as "Ten Cents a Dance" & "Love Me or Leave Me." Two brand new songs written for the film were: "Never Look Back" & "I'll Never Stop Loving You."

^~    The soundtrack for the motion picture was a huge success staying at the number one spot on Billboard for 17 weeks.

~ Jane Russell turned down the role to possibly play Lillian Roth in the musical film: "I'll Cry Tomorrow" which alas went to Sussan Hayward.


Plot:

The fictional acount of the life of the star during the 1920's and 1930's is shown in this huge MGM film of Ruth Etting. Doris Day plays the role of Ruth Etting who rises in the heights of stardom from a dancer to a major movie star. The person who takes a shining to Ruth is Martin "Moe the Gimp" Snyder, her first husband and manager (James Cagney). Martin finds her when she is at the beginning dreaming of stardom and with his power he helps to get her worthy opportunities and doors to open that by herself would not happen as fast. We see very quickly they are passionate about one another though the fire is also dangerous where it becomes very volatile a web where Martin is obessessed with Ruth and will never give her up no matter what.

Ruth loves the rise to stardom and the power and faith that Martin now her Manager and husband provides but gives her no room to breath and tells her every move to make and every move she makes is carefully watched. It seems her fame is coming with a major cost where she is now placed in a box and is dictated on what to wear and what to do and does not care for it and wants her wings to fly and experience her true career and try other opportunities.

During this Ruth meets Myrl Aldreman (Cameron Mitchell), her pianist and she finds a great love and devotion with. They are spirits that truly understand music together and what each other wants is the same path musically, they see things eye to eye and their bond grows as Ruth's problems at home with Martin make her have a lot more resentment for the control he presses on her. Eventually love does conquer all and it is shown through the lovely musical numbers and lyrics....a true classic pairing Doris Day & James Cagney together...what a dynamic film!

In Pictures: Robert Taylor

In Pictures: Robert Taylor

Here is our 24th  installment of this very successful feature to "Love Those Classic Movies!!!" This article is simply an enjoyment via beautiful pictures of our favorite golden age classic stars. Not a lot of writing at all or tid bits or extras just simply as it is stated, "in pictures!" Hope you all enjoy one of the original actors who defined style on the silver screen Robert Taylor and his brilliance in pictures, cheers!!!!

Vivien Leigh & Robert Taylor

Hedy Lamarr & Robert Taylor

Norma Shearer & Robert Taylor

Joan Crawford & Robert Taylor

Elizabeth Taylor & Robert Taylor

Jean Harlow & Robert Taylor

Jean Harlow & Robert Taylor

Greta Garbo & Robert Taylor

Greta Garbo & Robert Taylor

Jean Harlow & Robert Taylor

Joan Crawford & Robert Taylor

Myrna Loy & Robert Taylor

Knights of the Round Table (1953) "A Lady White"

Knights of the Round Table (1953) / MGM Studios

Directed by: Richard Thorpe

Starring: Robert Taylor, Ava Gardner, Mel Ferrer, Anne Crawford & Stanley Baker

Plot:

It is the period where King Arthus (Ferrer) reigns supreme in Enlgand. During this time this land has never seen such great prosperity until now. The Knights of the Round Table are ever present to assist with this such as one leading force, Sir Lancelot (Taylor).

King Arthur to make his reign the best it possibly can be finds the beautiful Guinevere (Gardner) and weds. This union could not make King Arthus any more content: his lands are at peace, they are the strongest, have bountiful foods/warriors and everything in terms of wealth and now he is truly in love with his bride. Guinevere is in love with her betrothed though is also in love with Sir Lancelot.  Lancelot knows of this affections that she has and tries to fight it but also shares it for her.

Morgan le Fay (Crawford) is an evil woman who finds out that the couple is in love and is determined with her knight Sir Mordred (Baker) to trap the couple for the King to find and to have them be gone! The scheming and games are now beginning to occur from Sir Lancelot and Guinevere behind the King to now Lady Morgan le Fey working to destroy it all. The kingdom of Camelot and King Arthur are now in a fast decline due to these games being done are now effecting things in many areas.

King Arthur and England then are in broiled battle against Sir Mordred and his men. In turn Sir Lancelot and Sir Mordred enter into a battle to end them all which results in Mordred's death. Lancelot then after this epic battle goes to the round table and speaks to Percival (Gabriel Woolf) who sees the Holy Grail. This is a very well done MGM film shot in their British studios and partially on location in the U.K..