"He suspects me of having worn my garter a little loosely." ~ Loretta de Richet
In 1946 Carole co-starred in this historical drama A Scandal In Paris (also known as Thieves' Holiday). She had the supporting role as Loretta de Richet, a sexy showgirl who is hopelessly in love with a criminal. 20th Century Fox loaned her to United Artists to make the movie. The cast includes George Sanders (playing a notorious French criminal), Signe Hasso, Gene Lockhart, and Akim Tamiroff. A Scandal In Paris was directed by Douglas Sirk. The costumes were designed by Norma Koch who became one of Carole's close friends. It was filmed in Hollywood, California from October 8 - November 26, 1945.
Carole and George Sanders
In October United Artists threw a party for the press to promote the movie. The studio also sent perfumed garters to two hundred reporters. On November 14, 1945 a stalker named Charles Gramlich broke into Carole's dressing room and tried to attack her. She told police he tried to "unzip her costume". Gramlich was arrested and sent to a mental institution. Carole sings "Flame Song" in the movie. Censors almost cut the scene because at the beginning of the song she appears to be nude behind a screen. A Scandal In Paris was released on July 19, 1946. Although she got third billing Carole was heavily featured in the ads. The movie got positive reviews and became a hit. Many critics said it was her finest performance.
Carole points out her attacker
