The story proceeds largely through a series of flashbacks, beginning with New York sports promoter Frankie Christopher being interrogated at a police station about the murder of a young actress, Vicky Lynn.

Christopher recounts first meeting Vicky as a waitress at a restaurant when he was there with two friends, fading actor Robin Ray and gossip columnist Larry Evans.

I Wake Up Screaming was rumored to be the first Hollywood picture for French actor Jean Gabin, but he first had to learn English, which conflicted with the shooting schedule.

[4] Released one month before the attack on Pearl Harbor, the columnist character refers to a rumour of a Japanese spy with a Kodak camera.

The conclusion is filled with plot twists and surprise character revelations, as the marvelously sinister performance by Laird Cregar as the sicko detective dominates the screen.

[6] Also heard in the background is "These Are the Things I Love", written by Harold Barlow and Lewis Harris, which became a popular ballad during the big-band era.