In 1942 Carole co-starred in the Technicolor musical My Gal Sal. She had the supporting role of Mae Collins, a singer who performs in a medicine show. Carole, who was under contract with 20th Century Fox, was originally supposed to play the lead in the movie. However before filming began Darryl Zanuck decided to borrow Rita Hayworth from Columbia and forced Carole to take the smaller role. Zanuck was angry because she had recently ended their sexual relationship. The cast includes Victor Mature, John Sutton, Mona Maris, and Phil Silvers. She and Victor Mature had worked together before in One Million B.C. My Gal Sal was directed by Irving Cummings. The costumes were designed by Gwen Wakeling.
Carole and Victor Mature
Filming took place at 20th Century Fox studios in Los Angeles during January and February of 1942. Some scenes were filmed at Malibu Creek State Park in Calabasas. My Gal Sal was released on April 30, 1942. The movie got positive reviews and became one of Fox's biggest hits of the year. It won an Academy Award for Best Art Direction. The Hollywood reporter said "Carole Landis is wasted on a part much too brief for her career at this point but plays it like a trouper." Carole wasn't happy making the movie and said that in the future she wanted to avoid minor roles like this one. In 2012 one of the outfits she wore in the movie was sold a Julien's Auctions.
Carole wearing costumes designed by Gwen Wakeling
This costume from the film was sold in 2012
My Gal Sal is available on DVD and Blu-ray
