"Some people think I'm a very attractive girl. You didn't create that. I'm no Frankenstein you know." ~ Vicki Lynn
In
1941 Carole co-starred in the film noir I Wake Up Screaming (also known as Hot Spot). She has the supporting role of Vicky Lynn, an ambitious starlet who is stalked by a mystery man. At the time she was under contract at 20th Century Fox. The cast includes Betty Grable (as Vicky's sister), Victor Mature, Laird Cregar, Elisha Cook Jr, William Gargan, and Allyn Joslyn. Carole and Victor had worked together before in One Million B.C. She and Betty had also played sisters in Moon Over Miami but they did not get
along. One day on the set Betty upset Carole by reading a bad review she had gotten out loud! I Wake Up Screaming was based on the novel by Steve Fisher. It was filmed at 20th Century Fox Studios in Los Angeles from July 21 until August 25, 1941.
Carole, Betty Grable, and Victor Mature
The movie was directed by H. Bruce Humberstone. When asked about Carole he said "she had an energy the camera picked up and transmitted to the audience." Gwen Wakeling designed the costumes. Carole sings one song titled "The Things I Love". Her friend Peggy McKenna worked as her stand-in. 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 got rave reviews and was a box-office success. 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 and Betty Grable
I Wake Up Screaming is available on Blu-ray
