Love Me or Leave Me

Set during the Jazz Age and Prohibition, the film captures a time when nightclub culture and early radio provided new paths to stardom. The era’s rough edges—gangster protection, sensational showbiz, and rapid public adoration—shape Ruth Etting’s career and the decisions she faces. The period’s blend of glamour and violence underpins the story’s tensions between art, power, and personal autonomy.

The story is rooted in 1920s Chicago’s bustling nightclub scene, a backdrop of speakeasies and fast-talking showbiz. It follows Ruth Etting’s rise from the floor shows to broader fame that spans travels to Miami and work in Hollywood, reflecting the era’s touring entertainment circuit. The glamorous yet perilous world of stage and film franchises, including the Ziegfeld Follies, anchors the narrative in multiple iconic US cities.

🗝️ Power & Control

Martin Snyder’s wealth and influence dominate Ruth Etting’s career trajectory. His protective facade masks coercive behavior and a demand for control over her choices. The plot centers on how power and fear steer her professional opportunities, forcing compromises in her personal life. The tension between protection and manipulation runs throughout the rise and turmoil of her fame.

💘 Love & Ambition

Ruth’s relationships—romantic and professional—pull her between genuine affection and career advancement. Johnny Alderman offers affection and artistic partnership, while Snyder’s ambition tightly intertwines with Ruth’s public success. The narrative continually tests whether love can coexist with exploitation or if ambition will always overshadow it. Choices about whom to trust become pivotal to her future.

✨ Glamour & Violence

The film juxtaposes the dazzling aura of show business with harsher realities of coercion and violence. The glittering clubs, radio programs, and Follies stage a luminous facade that hides danger and coercion. Moments of triumph are often shadowed by threats and aggressive behavior, highlighting the precariousness of stardom in this era.