Perky teenager Shirley Temple (as Corliss Archer) is fascinated by the divorce trial of suave playboy David Niven (as Kenneth Marquis), who is shedding his third wife. After the verdict, Ms. Temple meets Mr. Niven in her father's office and flirts openly with the older man. Temple's father Tom Tully (as Harry P. Archer) is understandably appalled. Meanwhile, Temple has become increasingly angry with cute boyfriend Darryl Hickman (as Dexter Franklin) – especially after he secretly takes a frizzed-out blonde to the seedy "Penguin Club". Temple fantasizes a relationship with Niven and writes suggestive details in her diary. When Temple and Mr. Hickman are locked in the "Penguin Club" overnight, Temple's parents read her diary and assume Temple and Niven are dating. They think Temple spent the evening with Niven. Not wanting to reveal she spent the night anyone, Temple pretends to have amnesia...
Specifically, Temple reverts to speaking and behaving like a pre-teen child...
This unflatteringly draws comparisons to Temple's more successful career as a 1930s child star. While still a popular "teen" star in the 1940s, her celebrity no longer guaranteed box office hits. "A Kiss for Corliss" was the last feature film for Temple and veteran director Richard Wallace, who died in 1951. It was a hesitating sequel to their "Kiss and Tell" (1945) and deceptively reappeared as a third Corliss film ("Almost a Bride"). The teenage character headlined a radio and television series. Bobby Ellis, memorable here as Raymond, took over Mr. Hickman's role of Dexter on television. Had small-screen situation comedy been an interest, Temple might have had great success there. A decade later, she hosted a TV series for children (of all ages). Later, she enjoyed a successful second career as United States ambassador Shirley Temple Black. Having Temple represent America abroad was inarguably a good idea.
***** A Kiss for Corliss (11/25/49) Richard Wallace ~ Shirley Temple, David Niven, Darryl Hickman, Tom Tully
Specifically, Temple reverts to speaking and behaving like a pre-teen child...
This unflatteringly draws comparisons to Temple's more successful career as a 1930s child star. While still a popular "teen" star in the 1940s, her celebrity no longer guaranteed box office hits. "A Kiss for Corliss" was the last feature film for Temple and veteran director Richard Wallace, who died in 1951. It was a hesitating sequel to their "Kiss and Tell" (1945) and deceptively reappeared as a third Corliss film ("Almost a Bride"). The teenage character headlined a radio and television series. Bobby Ellis, memorable here as Raymond, took over Mr. Hickman's role of Dexter on television. Had small-screen situation comedy been an interest, Temple might have had great success there. A decade later, she hosted a TV series for children (of all ages). Later, she enjoyed a successful second career as United States ambassador Shirley Temple Black. Having Temple represent America abroad was inarguably a good idea.
***** A Kiss for Corliss (11/25/49) Richard Wallace ~ Shirley Temple, David Niven, Darryl Hickman, Tom Tully