I Wake Up Screaming (1941): Cast & Plot
I Wake Up Screaming is a 1941 mystery crime film directed by H. Bruce Humberstone, starring Carole Landis as Vicky Lynn, Alan Mowbray and Allyn Joslyn. It runs 1 hour 22 minutes.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 22m (82 min)
- Director
- H. Bruce Humberstone
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- 20th Century Fox
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is I Wake Up Screaming About?
The premise of I Wake Up Screaming without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
Featuring three of Hollywood’s biggest stars, the film follows a young promoter who becomes the prime suspect in the murder of Vicky Lynn, the actress he lifted from waitressing. The investigation unfolds amidst the involvement of former actor Robin Ray and gossip columnist Larry Evans, whose presence fuels the scandal.
I Wake Up Screaming Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- waitress
- death of sister
- new york city
- frame up
- murder
- sister sister relationship
- investigation
- based on novel
- library
- detective
- nightclub
- newspaper headline
+38 more Show fewer
- high society
- social climber
- desk clerk
- elevator
- reference to madison square garden manhattan new york city
- stenographer
- ambition
- chanteuse
- reference to frankenstein
- told in flashback
- cocktail bar
- mysterious man
- stalker
- slapped in the face
- aspiring actress
- police detective
- dead body
- romantic crush
- reference to sherlock holmes
- breaking and entering
- reference to dracula
- boxing match
- dancing
- bathing suit
- kiss
- reference to the mona lisa
- knocked unconscious
- reference to pepsodent toothpaste
- reference to lochinvar
- drawer
- card
- fire escape
- evading the police
- cemetery
- florist
- sneaking into an apartment
- shrine
- unrequited love
I Wake Up Screaming Cast & Characters
Carole Landis leads the cast as Vicky Lynn, with Alan Mowbray as Robin Ray and Allyn Joslyn as Larry Evans. Directed by H. Bruce Humberstone; 55 actors are credited in all.
- Director H. Bruce Humberstone
- Carole Landis as Vicky Lynn
- Alan Mowbray as Robin Ray
- Allyn Joslyn as Larry Evans
- Victor Mature as Frankie Christopher (Botticelli)
Also Starring in I Wake Up Screaming
· 51 more- Betty Grable Jill Lynn
- James Flavin Detective (uncredited)
- Laird Cregar Police Insp. Ed Cornell
- Elisha Cook Jr. Harry Williams
- Bess Flowers Lady Handel's party guest (uncredited)
- Harold Miller Nightclub patron (uncredited)
- Charles Lane Keating- Florist
- Harry Strang Officer Murphy (uncredited)
- Kenner G. Kemp Cab driver (uncredited)
- Wade Boteler Detective (uncredited)
- Cyril Ring Reporter
- Bert Stevens Nightclub patron (uncredited)
- Stanley Blystone Detective (uncredited)
- James Conaty Nightclub patron (uncredited)
- Heinie Conklin Pedestrian newspaper buyer (uncredited)
- Ralph Brooks Nightclub patron (uncredited)
Show all 55 cast members Show fewer cast members
- Ralph Dunn Detective (uncredited)
- Eddie Dunn Detective (uncredited)
- Forbes Murray Mr. Handel (uncredited)
- Morris Ankrum Assistant District Attorney
- Brooks Benedict Nightclub patron (uncredited)
- Frank Orth Cemetery Caretaker
- Frank McLure Nightclub patron (uncredited)
- Jack Gargan Nightclub Waiter (uncredited)
- Stuart Hall Nightclub patron (uncredited)
- Amzie Strickland Girl at table (uncredited)
- Sarah Edwards Customer (uncredited)
- Robert Haines Waiter (uncredited)
- Harry Seymour Bartender (uncredited)
- Tim Ryan Detective (uncredited)
- Dick Rich Detective (uncredited)
- Edward Biby Nightclub patron (uncredited)
- William J. O'Brien Man hosing sidewalk (uncredited)
- Chick Chandler Reporter
- Gregory Gaye Headwaiter
- William Gargan Jerry 'Mac' MacDonald
- Edward McWade Old man at library (uncredited)
- Philip Morris Detective (uncredited)
- Pat McKee Ozinski - Newsman (uncredited)
- Cecil Weston Police Matron (uncredited)
- Russ Clark Policeman (uncredited)
- Stanley Clements Newsboy (uncredited)
- May Beatty Lady Handel
- John Breen Sidewalk passerby (uncredited)
- Albert Pollet Waiter (uncredited)
- Paul Weigel Gus- Deleicatesson Proprietor (uncredited)
- George Hickman Newsboy (uncredited)
- Mike Morelli Fight spectator (uncredited)
- Dorothy Dearing Girl at table (uncredited)
- Basil Walker Reporter (uncredited)
- Bob Cornell Reporter (uncredited)
I Wake Up Screaming Plot Summary
What happens in I Wake Up Screaming from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 12 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 5-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
In a moody, noir-tinged New York thrill ride, the story unfolds largely through flashbacks as New York sports promoter Frankie Christopher, [Victor Mature], is interrogated at a police station about the murder of a rising young actress, Vicky Lynn, [Carole Landis]. The narrative takes shape as Christopher recounts how he first met Vicky in a lively restaurant, where she worked as a waitress, and how his friends challenged him to try to turn her into a star. The tale then spirals through the glamour and grit of show business, where ambition, jealousy, and danger collide.
Full summary
The whole story of I Wake Up Screaming, scene by scene
I Wake Up Screaming Trailers & Videos
The trailer of I Wake Up Screaming.
How Well Do You Know I Wake Up Screaming?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
Which actor portrays the New York sports promoter Frankie Christopher?
Seen I Wake Up Screaming?
Movies Like I Wake Up Screaming
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Sleep, My Love, While the City Sleeps and I Woke Up Early the Day I Died.
I Wake Up Screaming FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date
Runtime, release date, director, cast and post-credit scenes of I Wake Up Screaming, each answered in a sentence.
How long is I Wake Up Screaming?
I Wake Up Screaming runs 1 hour 22 minutes (82 minutes).
When was I Wake Up Screaming released?
I Wake Up Screaming was released on October 31, 1941.
Who directed I Wake Up Screaming?
I Wake Up Screaming was directed by H. Bruce Humberstone.
More films by H. Bruce Humberstone Who is in the cast of I Wake Up Screaming?
I Wake Up Screaming stars Carole Landis as Vicky Lynn, Alan Mowbray as Robin Ray and Allyn Joslyn as Larry Evans, among 55 credited actors.
Does I Wake Up Screaming have a post-credit scene?
No. I Wake Up Screaming has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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