In 1940 Carole starred in the wartime drama Mystery Sea Raider. She had the leading role of June McCarthy, a beautiful young woman who is taken hostage aboard an enemy ship. Hal Roach loaned her to Paramount to make the movie. Paramount president Adolph Zukor said she was "lovely to look at and able to play dramatic roles." The cast includes Henry Wilcoxon (as June's love interest), Onslow Stevens, and Kathleen Howard. It was directed by Edward Dmytryk who was married to Carole's friend Jean Porter. Academy Award winner Edith Head designed the costumes.
Carole with Henry Wilcoxon
Filming took place at Paramount studios in Hollywood during May and June of 1940. Carole often brought homemade cookies to the set. To promote the movie Paramount had her pose for a series of sexy photos wearing dresses she never even wore in the film. Mystery Sea Raider was released on August 9, 1940. The movie was a modest hit and she got rave reviews for her dramatic performance. Her costar Henry Wilcoxin later said "A lot unkind things have been said about Carole over the years. I liked her very much. She was a very pretty blonde. She was a tireless worker on the set."
Carole and Onslow Stevens
A scene with Carole and Onslow Stevens
