In 1941 Carole costarred in the film noir I Wake Up Screaming. Carole is Vicky Lynn, an ambitious starlet who is killed by a mystery man. She was under contract at 20th Century Fox when she made the movie. Betty Grable plays Vicky's sister Jill who must solve her murder. Most of Carole's scenes are flashbacks since her character dies early in the film. 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 and retakes were filmed in September.
The cast includes Victor Mature, Laird Cregar, Elisha Cook Jr, and Allyn Joslyn. Carole and Victor had been good friends since they costarred in One Million B.C.
Carole and Allyn Joslyn
The movie was directed by H. Bruce Humberstone. Before
filming began Carole's 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. The costumes were designed by Gwen
Wakeling. In the movie Carole sings a song titled "The Things I Love". I
Wake Up Screaming was based on the novel by Steve Fisher. The original
title for the movie was "Hot Spot" and it was released in England with
that name. The movie was released on October 31, 1941 and it was
re-released on August 1, 1948. It was remade in 1953 with the title
"Vicki". I Wake Up Screaming was a box-office success and it got great
reviews. Many critics said that Carole's haunting performance stole
the movie from Betty.
Carole and Betty Grable
