A Kiss for Corliss

A Kiss for Corliss is a 1949 American comedy film directed by Richard Wallace (his final feature film) and written by Howard Dimsdale. It stars Shirley Temple in her final film appearance. It is a sequel to the 1945 film Kiss and Tell. A Kiss for Corliss was retitled Almost a Bride before release and this title appears in the title sequence.[1] The film was released on November 25, 1949, by United Artists.

A Kiss for Corliss
Theatrical release poster
Directed byRichard Wallace
Written byHoward Dimsdale
Produced byColin Miller
StarringShirley Temple
David Niven
Tom Tully
Virginia Welles
Darryl Hickman
Gloria Holden
CinematographyRobert De Grasse
Edited byFrank Doyle
Music byWerner R. Heymann
Production
company
Strand Productions
Distributed byUnited Artists
Release date
  • November 25, 1949 (1949-11-25)
Running time
88 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

Plot

Playboy Kenneth Marquis is divorcing his third wife, who is represented by her attorney, Harry Archer. Archer's teenaged daughter, Corliss, fascinated by Marquis' free-wheeling lifestyle and charisma, meets him in her father's office during a settlement conference and is smitten. Marquis sends a box of candy to Corliss which infuriates Harry, who interprets the gift as a jab at his settlement demand. Mr. Archer also prohibits Corliss' boyfriend, Dexter, from dating her after he sees Dexter at the Penguin Club, a restaurant that doubles as a gambling joint. Corliss manipulates Dexter into taking her to the club, which is raided by police just after the couple arrives. The couple hide in the basement but are temporarily trapped, causing Corliss to arrive home late. Corliss feigns amnesia to her parents to cover the truth. To refresh Corliss' memory, Mr. Archer reads her diary which contains her imaginary romantic trysts with Marquis. The contents of the diary, along with Marquis' candy delivery, cause Corliss' parents to assume the worst.

Corliss' friend, Raymond Pringle, who publishes a neighborhood paper, shows Marquis some of Corliss' diary entries, threatening to publish them unless Marquis buys advertising. Marquis visits Corliss' parents telling the Archers every word in the diary is true; he is in love with Corliss; and, he wants to make her his fourth wife. When Mr. Archer explodes in anger, Corliss admits the diary is not true and was written to make Dexter jealous. Marquis insists the diary is true despite Corliss revealing why she was out late. Dexter arrives and eventually agrees with Corliss' version of events; but the Archers remain unconvinced. Marquis announces his engagement to Corliss in the newspaper in order to sue the Archers for breach of promise when the engagement is cancelled. The Archers decide to delay rescinding the engagement to avoid the appearance of an immediate breach.

Marquis has gifts for Corliss delivered. Mr. Archer is hounded by the media. Corliss persists the diary is false to her parents' continuing disbelief. Glimpse Magazine, a national publication, runs pictures of Marquis and Corliss. Mr. Archer's brother, Uncle George, a Navy chaplain, visits and offers to perform the wedding. At the wedding rehearsal, held in the Archers' home, Dexter tells Mr. Archer he has a witness that can vouch he and Corliss were together on the night in question. Marquis' lie is revealed and the men escort him outside where an off screen fight ensues. Mr. Archer and Dexter both return bloodied. It is revealed Mr. Archer got the best of Marquis, but Dexter accidentally hit Mr. Archer. Marquis passes by an open window, his eye blackened and mocks Mr. Archer and Dexter as he leaves, evidently for good.

Cast

References
  1. "A Kiss for Corliss". Tcm.com. Retrieved 2015-06-22.


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