In 1941 Carole costarred in the film noir I Wake Up Screaming. She plays Vicky Lynn, an ambitious starlet who is killed by a mystery man. Carole was under contract at 20th Century Fox when she made the movie. Betty Grable plays Vicky's sister Jill who must solve her murder. She and Betty had also played sisters in Moon Over Miami but they did not get along with each other. One day on the set Betty upset Carole by reading a bad review she had gotten out loud. I Wake Up Screaming was filmed at Fox Studios in Los Angeles from July 21 until August 25, 1941. It was the first film noir that Fox had produced. The cast includes Laird Cregar, Elisha Cook Jr, Allyn Joslyn, and Victor Mature. Carole and Victor had been good friends since they costarred in One Million B.C.
Carole, Betty Grable, and Victor Mature
Carole and Allyn Joslyn
I Wake Up Screaming was directed by H. Bruce Humberstone. It was based on the novel by Steve Fisher. The original title was "Hot Spot" and it was released in England with that name. Gwen Wakeling designed the costumes. In the movie Carole sings one song titled "The Things I Love". Before filming began her dentist spilled silver nitrate on her lips so they were blue for three weeks. It didn't affect the movie because it was shot in black and white. I
Wake Up Screaming was released on October 31, 1941. The movie was a box-office success and it got great
reviews. Although Carole received third billing many critics said her haunting performance stole
the movie from Betty. The film was remade as Vicki in 1953 with Jean Peters playing Carole's role.
Carole wearing costumes designed by Gwen Wakeling
Carole, Betty Grable, and Laird Cregar
