I Wake Up Screaming (1941)

In between directing the Charlie Chan movies of the 1930s (Charlie Chan at the Race Track, Charlie Chan at the Opera, Charlie Chan at the Olympics, Charlie Chan in Honolulu) and the Tarzan pics of the 1950s (Tarzan and the Lost Safari, Tarzan’s Fight for Life, Tarzan and the Trappers), H. Bruce Humberstone made the film noir thriller I Wake Up Screaming (1941). Nicknamed Lucky, the Directors Guild founder made us all feel lucky by casting hunky Victor Mature. Based on Steve Fisher’s same-named novel, the mystery follows New York sports promoter Frankie Christopher (Mature) who meets waitress Vicky Lynn (Carole Landis) while dining at a restaurant with his buddies: gossip columnist Larry Evans (Allyn Joslyn) and actor Robin Ray (Alan Mowbray). As the guys decide to try and make Vicky a star, Frankie falls for her sister Jill (Betty Grable). He also falls into a trap where he gets framed for Vicky’s murder by twisted Detective Ed Cornell (Laird Cregar). Never mind the fact that her jealous admirer Harry Williams (Elisha Cook, Jr.) eventually confesses to the crime. Although Vicky winds up dead, Victor is the one who is dead sexy! In other words, Mr. Mature gives us a scene for mature audiences only when he appears in a retro swimsuit that makes the most of his bodacious bulge. Plus, his impressive pecs steam up the screen! No wonder the movie was originally called Hot Spot. Of course, we think I Wake Up Screaming should be called I Wake Up Creaming!