Moon Over Miami


A scene with Carole and Betty Grable


In 1941 Carole starred in the Technicolor musical Moon Over Miami. Carole is Barbara Latimer, a carhop who helps her sister find a wealthy husband in Miami. This was the first film she made after signing with 20th Century Fox. Betty Grable plays Barbara's sister Kay who pretends to be rich so she can marry a millionaire. They were cast as sisters again in the 1941 drama I Wake Up Screaming. Betty and Carole hated each other and their feud was written about in gossip columns. Carole demanded that the studio give her a dressing room that was as big as Betty's. Moon Over Miami was filmed at Fox studios from March 3 until April 25, 1941. Several of the outdoor scenes were filmed on location in Florida.


Carole in a publicity photo
A scene with Robert Cummings, Carole, Betty Grable, and Don Ameche


The cast included Robert Cummings, Don Ameche, and Charlotte Greenwood. Moon Over Miami was directed by Walter Lang. The original title for the movie was "Miami". Carole sings several songs including "Miami (Oh Me, Oh Mi-Ami)" and "What Can I Do For You?". The costumes were designed by Travis Banton. Moon Over Miami was a remake of the 1938 film Three Blind Mice. Fox made another version in 1946 with the title Three Little Girls In Blue. Moon Over Miami premiered in Miami, Florida on June 18, 1941 and it was released across the country on July 4. It became one of the most popular musicals of 1941. Carole only had a supporting role but she got wonderful reviews for her performance.


Carole and the cast in a publicity photo
A scene with Carole, Betty Grable, and Charlotte Greenwood A scene with Carole, Robert Cummings, Don Ameche, and Betty Grable
A scene with Carole A scene with Betty Grable and Carole
A scene with Carole and Robert Cummings A scene with Carole
A scene with Charlotte Greenwood, Betty Grable, and Carole A scene with Carole, Robert Cummings, Betty Grable, and Don Ameche
A scene with Robert Cummings and Carole Carole in a publicity photo
Carole in a publicity photo Carole and Robert Cummings in a publicity photo





Screen Guide magazine said of Carole and Betty Grable's feud: "Not a real fighting affair, this feud is based more on competition than anything else. It began when they co-starred for the first time in Moon Over Miami. Carole's costumes were more spectacular than Betty's; Betty had more footage in close-ups. Result was double edged jealousy. The script called for the girls to look antagonistic - and it didn't require much acting! Because they look somewhat alike, play the same kind of parts, have contracts at the same studio, it was inevitable that their two burgeoning careers would crash head-on sooner or later."





* Moon Over Miami is available on DVD


The original caption for this photo says: "Betty Grable, Charlotte Greenwood, and Carole Landis after having completed a rollicking sequence in the Technicolor musical, 'Miami', at 20th Century Fox, link arms and set forth on new conquests. Actually, they're enroute from one stage to another to resume work. In this particular scene, Charlotte is a cook at a hamburger stand, and Betty and Carole are the car hops."