Love Me or Leave Me Blu-ray Review

The video presentation of the Blu-Ray release of "Love Me or Leave Me" shines with expert fidelity, capturing the grandeur of the original Cinemascope production. Leveraging an interpositive made from the original camera negative, this 1080p AVC-encoded Blu-ray leverages a meticulous 2K scan to produce a rich, detailed, and colorful image that remains faithful to Arthur E. Arling's distinguished cinematography. The digital transfer has been meticulously color-corrected, breathing life into vibrant hues, particularly evident in Doris Day's musical performances and the lavish gowns designed by the storied MGM costume department.

The image showcases a sharpness remarkable for early Cinemascope films, notorious for their inherent softness, whilst maintaining a natural, finely-resolved grain texture that remains unobtrusively in motion. Warner Archive Collection (WAC) has mastered the film at its usual target bitrate, just under 35 Mbps, ensuring optimal balance between clarity and grain retention. This modern transfer flaunts rich blacks and crisp whites that lend the image a sense of weight and balance, with stable and true flesh tones throughout. Shadow delineation is strong, with no signs of crush or noise intrusion, and any digital enhancement has been seamlessly integrated to uphold the film's lush, film-like quality.

Comparing this to the 2005 DVD release, the Blu-ray version offers a substantial visual upgrade. The high-definition rendering enhances clarity, contrast, and color vibrancy, making the picture more dynamic and lifelike. Fine details, texture, and depth are all significantly improved. Previous imperfections have been meticulously removed without compromising the natural grain structure, providing a pristine viewing experience that should encourage fans of this classic musical to consider upgrading to this excellent high-definition remastering.

The audio presentation of "Love Me or Leave Me" on Blu-ray is an impressive upgrade over its predecessor, featuring a newly remastered DTS-HD Master Audio 5.0 track derived from the original pre-recording masters. Utilizing the magnetic four-track mix as a guide, this version excels in fidelity and dynamic range. The instrumental elements and Doris Day's vocals are rendered with exceptional clarity, free from distortion or interference. The soundtrack also maintains crisp and intelligible dialogue, even with James Cagney's rapid-fire delivery as Marty Snyder. While incidental cues by George Stoll and Robert Van Eps, as well as Percy Faith's arrangements, remain uncredited, their contributions significantly enhance the overall audio experience.

The remastered DTS-HD MA 5.0 track delivers a notable improvement in sound quality, far surpassing the previous DVD's Dolby Digital mono track. This Blu-ray edition offers clear, beautifully modulated sound that shines particularly during musical sequences. Superior fidelity and tonal depth effectively highlight Day's vocals and the lush orchestral arrangements. Though surround activity is minimal, the clear stereo separation across the front channels broadens the soundscape, intensifying both dramatic and musical scenes. The wide dynamic range effortlessly handles variations in sound levels without any signs of distortion. Additionally, nuances and fine details come through distinctly, ensuring that all dialogue is easily comprehensible without the presence of age-related imperfections such as hiss or pops. This high-quality audio track is a stellar achievement, perfectly complementing the musical genre's demands.

The Blu-ray extras for "Love Me or Leave Me" have been meticulously remastered in 1080p from the original 2005 DVD release, offering a polished viewing experience. These features, ranging from vintage shorts starring Ruth Etting to informative promotional material, provide valuable insight into the era and the film's production. A Modern Cinderella and Roseland reveal Etting's unique talents despite the limitations of early sound recording technology. A Salute to the Theatres, hosted by George Murphy, serves as a fascinating MGM promotional piece with appearances by stars like Gene Kelly and Cyd Charisse. The package is rounded out with the film's original theatrical trailer, which effectively highlights Day's musical performances.

Extras included in this disc:

• A Modern Cinderella: 1932 Vitaphone short featuring Ruth Etting as a singing costume shop owner's daughter.
• Roseland: 1930 Vitaphone short with Etting entering a radio contest.
• Salute to the Theaters: 1955 MGM promotional short highlighting upcoming releases and behind-the-scenes footage.
• Trailer: Original theatrical preview emphasizing Doris Day’s musical role.

"Love Me or Leave Me" is an engrossing examination of the turbulent career and personal life of singer Ruth Etting, delivered through an impressive 1955 MGM production. Doris Day steps out of her usual wholesome roles to embody Etting, portraying her as an ambitious opportunist willing to make morally ambiguous choices, including entering a mercenary marriage with her gangster manager Marty Snyder, played with riveting complexity by James Cagney. Day's performance, particularly poignant because of the originally planned but ultimately cut rape scene, showcases a depth that even elicited protest from her devoted fans. The screenplay alternates between Day's stunning vocal numbers and the increasingly strained relationship with Snyder as they navigate the gritty realities of show business. Day's musical renditions, including two songs crafted specifically for the film, are delivered with a technical skill that arguably surpasses Etting's original recordings.

James Cagney infuses his portrayal of Marty Snyder with nuanced insecurities and vulnerabilities, differentiating this role from his previous gangster characters. His intensity and erratic eruptions create a dimensional antagonist whose abusive behavior both disrupts and propels Ruth's success. Meanwhile, the film underscores the darker side of show business through its meticulous plot progression from small Chicago clubs to the grand stages of Hollywood. Cameron Mitchell’s Johnny Alderman provides quiet opposition to Snyder's domineering presence, serving as the moral counterpoint in Etting's fraught existence.

Director Charles Vidor expertly balances song and drama in "Love Me or Leave Me," showcasing both the glamour and the underbelly of the entertainment industry while delivering a musically rich yet dramatically potent narrative. Though some liberties were taken with Etting’s real-life story, resulting in historical inaccuracies, the film's dramatic core remains intact and compelling. These performances—particularly memorable thanks to Day’s unexpected depth and Cagney’s layered ferocity—cement the film as a standout within MGM’s extensive musical catalog.

Warner Archive's Blu-ray release of "Love Me or Leave Me" stands as an exemplary upgrade, showcasing a newly remastered video and audio transfer that offers an impeccable viewing experience. This 1955 biopic features standout performances by Doris Day and James Cagney, whose portrayals of Ruth Etting and Marty Snyder are marked by their blistering intensity and magnetism. The film delicately balances dramatic intensity with musical sequences, resulting in an engrossing production that is both dark and tuneful. While the musical numbers may not be the most dynamic aspect, the narrative's depth and the stars' compelling performances ensure the film's lasting impact.

The technical specifications of this Blu-ray are noteworthy. The picture quality is crisp, allowing viewers to appreciate the meticulous period details and nuanced acting with enhanced clarity. Audio-wise, the remastering brings forward the richness of the soundtrack and dialogue, making each scene's emotional resonance more palpable. Supplemental features provided by Warner Archive include insightful content that further contextualizes the life of Ruth Etting, some even featuring Etting herself. These additions enrich the viewing experience for both new audiences and those familiar with Etting's legacy.

In conclusion, "Love Me or Leave Me" remains a poignant reflection on ambition and sacrifice, highlighted by performances from a bygone era that are challenging to surpass. Despite its underappreciated status in MGM's musical catalog, this Blu-ray provides an excellent presentation, recommending itself equally to enthusiasts of classic cinema and collectors mindful of audiovisual fidelity. The film's merit lies not only in its historical narrative but also in showcasing Day and Cagney's performances, which remains a compelling reason to experience this cinematic gem today.