The studio was unable to find Darnell suitable roles. In late 1940, Fox chose her for the main role in "Song of the Islands" (1942), a Hawaiian musical film which eventually starred Betty Grable. After "Blood and Sand", she was set to co-star with Claudette Colbert in "Remember the Day" (1941), but another actress was eventually cast. Meanwhile, she was considered for the female lead in "Swamp Water" (1941), but Anne Baxter was later assigned the role. Darnell was disappointed and felt rejected; she later said: "Right under your very nose someone else is brought in for that prize part you wanted so terribly." Months passed by without any work, and in August 1941 she was cast in a supporting role in the musical "Rise and Shine" (1941). The film was a setback in her career, and she was rejected for a later role because she refused to respond to Darryl F. Zanuck's advances. Instead, she contributed to the war effort, working for the Red Cross and selling war bonds. She was also a regular at the Hollywood Canteen.