In 1940 Carole starred in the sex-change comedy
Turnabout. She had the leading role of Sally Willows, a frustrated housewife who magically
switches bodies with her husband. This was the second film she made while under contract with Hal Roach. He also directed the film. The large cast includes John Hubbard (who plays Sally's husband), Adolphe Menjou, Mary Astor, Marjorie Main, Donald Meek, Joyce Compton, Yolande Donlan, and Margaret Roach (Hal Roach's daughter). Since Carole and John Hubbard's voices were dubbed in many scenes they had to learn all of each others lines. Turnabout was based on the book by Thorne Smith. It was filmed at Hal Roach's studio in Culver City from February 19 until March 17 of 1940.
Carole and John Hubbard
Before production began Carole lost twenty pounds and had cosmetic surgery on her nose. The costumes were designed by Royer. She loved the pink dress from the film so much that she later wore it to the 1941 Academy Awards. Turnabout was
released on May 17, 1940. The plot was considered so controversial that the Legion of Decency gave the movie an objectionable rating. Carole brought her boyfriend Willis Hunt and her mother Clara to the premiere at Grauman's Chinese Theater. The movie became a modest hit and she got rave reviews for her comedic performance. She later said it was one of her favorite films. Turnabout was made
into a short-lived television series starring Sharon Gless and Rick Springfield in 1979.
