I rewatched the fine 1955 biopic Love Me Or Leave Me recently. It contains one of Doris Day’s best performances as hard-bitten chanteuse Ruth Etting. Jimmy Cagney excels as her gangster-husband-manager Marty Snyder. The musical numbers are fabulous too. I might as well grade it: 3 1/2 stars and an Adrastos grade of B+

The song Love Me Or Leave Me was written by Walter Donaldson and Gus Kahn in 1928 for the musical comedy Whoopee starring Eddie Cantor and Ruth Etting.

We begin at the beginning with Ruth Etting:

Here’s Doris Day from the movie:

Next up, Anita O’Day with the Oscar Peterson Quartet.

Have I told you lately how much I love Oscar Peterson?

Nina Simone brought her gritty charm to the Donaldson-Kahn classic in 1959.

Ella Fitzgerald swung brightly with Nelson Riddle in 1962:

Finally, Bryan Ferry with a small group. Ferry was born to sing this song.

What would the Friday Cocktail Hour be without jazz instrumental versions of the week’s songs? This week Lester Young & Teddy Wilson followed by Cal Tjader.

Have I told you lately that Caj Tjader attended my alma mater? Go, Bearcats.

That’s it for this week. Let’s raise our glasses and toast Walter Donaldson and Gus Kahn. It’s what Rock, Doris, and Tony would want. Never argue with them.