Victor Mature plays Frankie Christopher, a somewhat smarmy but likable enough sports promoter. He lays eyes on gorgeous waitress Vicky Lynn (Carole Landis), and determines that he can make her a popular glamour girl. Well, he does, but just when things are looking brightest for her, she gets murdered. Now, Frankie, who'd discovered her dead body, is believed by the police to be the killer. The lead inspector, Ed Cornell (Laird Cregar), is more convinced than anybody, and swears that he will prove Frankie guilty no matter how much time it takes. Meanwhile, Frankie and Vicky's sister Jill (Betty Grable) fall in love and set out to try and prove his innocence.
"I Wake Up Screaming" is a thoroughly absorbing murder mystery made by a veteran director of the genre, H. Bruce Humberstone. All of the characters are engaging and maintain ones' interest. Mature is especially good in the lead, with a top notch supporting performance by the sadly short lived Cregar. Cregar had a presence that extended beyond being just physically big. The incredibly beautiful ladies Landis and Grable are compulsively watchable, and naturally there are a few opportunities to admire Grables' gorgeous gams. William Gargan, Alan Mowbray, Allyn Joslyn, Elisha Cook Jr., Morris Ankrum, and Charles Lane are all great.
This film looks just as fine as anything else made in the genre, with the expected contrasts between light and shadow. The best thing about it is that, even if the viewer believes that they've solved the mystery early on, it still tells a good story in capable fashion, focusing on a theme of obsession.
Eight out of 10.
"I Wake Up Screaming" is a thoroughly absorbing murder mystery made by a veteran director of the genre, H. Bruce Humberstone. All of the characters are engaging and maintain ones' interest. Mature is especially good in the lead, with a top notch supporting performance by the sadly short lived Cregar. Cregar had a presence that extended beyond being just physically big. The incredibly beautiful ladies Landis and Grable are compulsively watchable, and naturally there are a few opportunities to admire Grables' gorgeous gams. William Gargan, Alan Mowbray, Allyn Joslyn, Elisha Cook Jr., Morris Ankrum, and Charles Lane are all great.
This film looks just as fine as anything else made in the genre, with the expected contrasts between light and shadow. The best thing about it is that, even if the viewer believes that they've solved the mystery early on, it still tells a good story in capable fashion, focusing on a theme of obsession.
Eight out of 10.