What Is A Kiss for Corliss About?
The premise of A Kiss for Corliss in 301 words, with nothing given away. The full story follows below.
In a glossy suburb where reputation shines as brightly as the freshly polished cars in the driveways, the Archer household balances genteel respectability with the restless energy of youth. Patriarch Harry Archer—a sharp‑witted attorney accustomed to courtroom dramas—keeps his family’s social standing intact, while his teenage daughter navigates the glittering world of clubs, candy‑wrapped invitations, and whispered rumors that swirl around the neighborhood like perfume in the summer air.
Corlith Archer is a bright, inquisitive girl whose diary becomes a private stage for the fantasies she teeters between and the realities she confronts. When the suave, three‑times‑divorced playboy Kenneth Marquis drifts into her life, his effortless charm and promise of an indulgent, carefree existence ignite a brief but intoxicating fling. Drawn to his magnetism, Corlith pens a series of imagined rendezvous with him, hoping the pages will spark jealousy in her steady boyfriend, Dexter Franklin, and perhaps tilt the balance of affection in her favour.
Unaware that Harry once defended Marquis’s former wife in a contentious legal battle, Corlith finds herself tangled in a web of unintended connections. When a late‑night adventure with Dexter lands them back at the family home in the early hours, the girl resorts to a desperate ploy—pretending to have lost her memory—to deflect her parents’ inevitable disappointment. The charade adds a delicate layer of comedy and tension, highlighting the chasm between adolescent impulse and parental expectation.
Against this backdrop of witty banter, glamorous parties, and the ever‑present buzz of gossip columns, the film paints a portrait of a teenage girl testing the limits of authority while yearning for a taste of adult freedom. The lingering question is how far Corlith will go to protect her secret fantasies and whether the very people she trusts will ever see beyond the polished surface of their seemingly perfect world.
What Happens in A Kiss for Corliss?
The complete story of A Kiss for Corliss, from the first scene to the last, in 529 words (about 2 minutes). Spoilers throughout. Names in the text link to 6 cast member pages.
Spoilers ahead
Playboy Kenneth Marquis, David Niven, is divorcing his third wife, who is represented by her sharp-eyed attorney, Harry P. Archer Tom Tully. Archer’s teenage daughter, Corliss Archer, Shirley Temple, is immediately captivated by Marquis’s charm and the carefree, high-living lifestyle he offers. The division of the marriage sets the stage for a clash of reputations, money, and appetite for scandal that threads through the Archers’ household.
Marquis sends a box of candy to Corliss, a gesture that infuriates Archer, who believes it’s a jab at his settlement demands. Archer also forbids Corliss’ boyfriend, Dexter Franklin Darryl Hickman, from dating her after spotting him at the Penguin Club, a restaurant that doubles as a gambling joint. Undeterred, Corliss manipulates Dexter into taking her to the club, but their night ends with a police raid. They hide in the basement, and when they return home, Corliss is late enough to trigger questions. To cover up, she feigns amnesia, leaving her parents puzzled and more suspicious than ever.
To refresh Corliss’ memory, Archer reads her diary, which contains a string of imaginary romantic trysts with Marquis. The diary’s contents, together with Marquis’ candy gift, push the Archers toward a bleak conclusion about their daughter’s loyalties and truthfulness. Enter Corliss’ friend Raymond Pringle, a neighborhood paper publisher Robert Ellis, who shows Marquis some diary entries and threatens to publish them unless Marquis buys advertising space.
Marquis privately visits the Archers and proclaims that every word in the diary is true, declaring his love for Corliss and his desire to make her his fourth wife. Archer erupts in anger, while Corliss is caught between defending herself and the mounting pressure to admit the diary’s supposed truth. Corliss eventually reveals that the diary was a fabrication meant to provoke Dexter and stir jealousy, but Marquis presses on, insisting the diary is genuine. Dexter arrives and, after considering Corliss’ version, finds himself torn between loyalty and doubt, leaving the adults unconvinced about what really happened that night.
The tension escalates when Marquis announces his engagement to Corliss in the newspaper, with plans to sue the Archers for breach of promise if the engagement is ever canceled. The Archers postpone rescinding to avoid the appearance of an immediate breach, and Marquis continues to send gifts for Corliss, all while the media circles closer. A national magazine, Glimpse, runs photographs of Marquis with Corliss, intensifying the sensational mood surrounding the couple.
Uncle George, Roy Roberts, a Navy chaplain, visits and offers to perform the wedding, injecting a note of old‑fashioned ceremony into the chaos. The wedding rehearsal, held at the Archers’ home, becomes the focal point for a crucial revelation: Dexter reveals he has a witness who can attest to Corliss’ version of events from the night she was out late. Marquis’ lie is finally exposed, and the men escort him outside, where an offscreen fight erupts. Both Archer and Dexter return bloodied, while Marquis, with his eye blackened, staggers past an open window, sneering at Archer and Dexter as he leaves the scene. The clash leaves a lasting impression on a town already buzzing with scandal, power, and the uneasy question of who is telling the truth.
A Kiss for Corliss Timeline: Every Key Event in Order
15 key events in the order they happen, from “Marquis's divorce proceedings” to “Wedding plans collide with revelation”. 15 events name a place, across 7 locations.
- 1
Marquis's divorce proceedings
Playboy Kenneth Marquis is divorcing his third wife, who is represented by her attorney, Harry Archer. The arrangement sets Marquis up as a charismatic figure facing a stern legal mediator. The stage is set for a clash between Marquis's lifestyle and the Archers' guarded expectations.
Where:divorce proceedings
- 2
Corliss falls for Marquis
Corliss, Archer's teenaged daughter, becomes smitten with the charismatic Marquis and his free-wheeling lifestyle. Her crush promises excitement and social allure, pulling her away from her father's approval. The romance introduces a central tension between Corliss and Archer from the outset.
Where:Archers' home
- 3
Candy gift fuels conflict
Marquis sends a box of candy to Corliss, a gesture that delights her yet inflames Archer. Archer interprets the sweet gift as a jab at his settlement demands and a sign Marquis is meddling in his family. The moment intensifies the conflict between the couple and their guardian.
Where:Archers' home
- 4
Penguin Club bans Dexter
Archer prohibits Corliss' boyfriend, Dexter, from dating her after spotting him at the Penguin Club. The club, which doubles as a gambling joint, becomes a flashpoint for the lovers and their guardian. Archer uses the club's reputation to justify his protective stance.
Where:Penguin Club
- 5
Penguin Club raid and basement
Corliss manipulates Dexter into taking her to the Penguin Club, but police raid the venue just as they arrive. They hide in the basement and are temporarily trapped, heightening the sense of danger and secrecy. The incident forces them to confront the consequences of their secret outing.
When:that night Where:Penguin Club
- 6
Amnesia cover story
Corliss returns home late and feigns amnesia to cover the truth from her parents. Archer presses for an honest account, but Corliss's invented lapse buys her time. The ruse deepens the rift between Corliss and her father.
When:that night Where:Archers' home
- 7
Diary reveals imagined romance
Archer reads Corliss's diary, which contains her imaginary romantic trysts with Marquis. The diary’s contents, along with the candy gift, give the parents fodder to suspect Marquis and question Corliss's judgment. The scene sets the core question of truth versus fabrication.
Where:Archers' home
- 8
Threat to publish the diary
Raymond Pringle, publisher of a neighborhood paper, shows Marquis some diary entries and threatens to publish them unless Marquis buys advertising. Marquis considers leveraging the scandal by purchasing space and shaping the narrative. The blackmail raises the stakes of the personal feud.
Where:Raymond Pringle's office
- 9
Marquis confronts the Archers
Marquis visits the Archers and proclaims that every word in the diary is true, declaring his love for Corliss and his intention to make her his fourth wife. Archer erupts in anger at the audacity and the manipulation he perceives. The confrontation escalates the conflict and tests the family’s loyalties.
Where:Archers' home
- 10
Corliss reveals the diary’s falsity
Corliss reveals that the diary is not true and explains why she was out late. Marquis persists in claiming the diary’s truth, while Dexter arrives and ultimately agrees with Corliss's version. Despite Dexter's stance, Archer and the Archers remain unconvinced about Marquis's intentions.
Where:Archers' home
Show the other 5 events of A Kiss for Corliss Hide the last 5 events
- 11
Engagement announced in the press
Marquis announces his engagement to Corliss in the newspaper, signaling a calculated move to sue the Archers for breach of promise when the engagement is cancelled. The public declaration turns a private dispute into a matter of social spectacle. The Archers brace for the legal and reputational consequences.
Where:Newspaper office
- 12
Engagement not rescinded immediately
The Archers delay rescinding the engagement to avoid the appearance of an immediate breach, dragging out the uncertainty. The delay keeps Marquis’s leverage alive as he pursues the settlement and the wedding plans. The family walks a fine line between pride and pragmatism.
Where:Archers' home
- 13
Gifts and media attention
Marquis continues to send gifts for Corliss while Archer is hounded by the media for comments. Glimpse, a national magazine, runs photos of Marquis and Corliss, amplifying the scandal. The couple's relationship becomes fodder for public consumption.
Where:Various locations
- 14
Glimpse publishes photos
Glimpse, a national magazine, runs photos of Marquis and Corliss, elevating the public interest in their romance. The exposure compounds the Archers' frustration and Marquis's confidence. Public visibility reshapes how the dispute is perceived.
Where:National distribution
- 15
Wedding plans collide with revelation
Uncle George, a Navy chaplain, visits and offers to perform the wedding, signaling a potential resolution. At the wedding rehearsal held in the Archers' home, Dexter reveals he has a witness who can corroborate Corliss's version. Marquis's lie is exposed, and a confrontation outside leaves all parties bloodied, with Marquis departing with a blackened eye.
When:wedding rehearsal Where:Archers' home
Who Are the Main Characters in A Kiss for Corliss?
7 characters, among them Corliss Archer (Shirley Temple), Kenneth Marquis (David Niven) and Harry P. Archer (Tom Tully): who each one is and the part they play in the story. Every profile links to the actor’s page.
- CA
Corliss Archer (Shirley Temple)
Played by Shirley Temple
A teenage girl smitten with the glamorous Kenneth Marquis, Corliss becomes the focal point of family doubt and public gossip. She wields imagination through a diary that blurs truth and fantasy, testing her parents' trust. Her actions reveal a mix of charm, vulnerability, and a stubborn desire to be understood.
- 💖 Teenage romance
- 🎭 Social norms
- 🤔 Deception
-
Kenneth Marquis (David Niven)
Played by David Niven
A charismatic playboy and divorcee who pursues Corliss with bold confidence. He uses publicity and affectation to manipulate others and advance his own agenda. He insists on the diary’s truth to justify his advances, even as his schemes unravel. His behavior exposes a self-serving disregard for consequences.
- 💍 Charisma
- 🎭 Manipulation
- 🗯️ Public image
- HP
Harry P. Archer (Tom Tully)
Played by Tom Tully
Corliss's father and her attorney, a protective, duty-minded figure who fights to shield his daughter from scandal. He confronts Marquis and weighs the evidence with a legal lens, seeking to preserve the family's reputation. His actions reflect a blend of stern resolve and paternal concern.
- 🛡️ Protector
- ⚖️ Legal mind
- 👨👧 Family first
- MJ
Mrs. Janet Archer (Gloria Holden)
Played by Gloria Holden
Corliss's mother, torn between her concern for reputation and maternal affection. She observes the fallout from the diary and the public gaze, offering support while navigating the complexity of truth and trust. Her stance underscores the emotional stakes at the heart of the family crisis.
- 💬 Familial love
- 🏛️ Social pressure
- 👁️ Public gaze
-
Uncle George (Roy Roberts)
Played by Roy Roberts
A Navy chaplain who provides a moral compass and practical perspective. He visits the Archers and offers to officiate the wedding, embodying traditional values and a sense of duty. His presence at the climactic moments reinforces themes of faith, forgiveness, and reconciliation.
- ⚓ Moral anchor
- 🕊️ Guidance
- 🧭 Family ties
- DF
Dexter Franklin (Darryl Hickman)
Played by Darryl Hickman
Corliss's boyfriend, drawn into the conflict by loyalty and jealousy. He initially supports Corliss's version of events, then becomes part of the pressure to reveal the truth to the Archers. His role highlights youth’s vulnerability to rumor and social manipulation.
- 💬 Lover
- 🧭 Loyalty
- 🕵️♂️ Witness
- RP
Raymond Pringle (Richard Gaines)
Played by Richard Gaines
A neighborhood newspaper publisher who uses the diary as leverage to pressure Marquis into advantageous advertising. He inflames the dispute by threatening to publish, turning private details into public confrontation. His role showcases the power of local media in shaping reputations.
- 📰 Publisher
- 💼 Blackmail
- 🗣️ Media pressure
Where and When Is A Kiss for Corliss Set?
A Kiss for Corliss is set in Archers' home, Penguin Club and neighborhood (late 1940s). Here is why the time and place matter to the story.
When
late 1940s
The story unfolds in the late 1940s, a postwar era marked by changing social norms around marriage, propriety, and reputation. Gossip, diaries, and tabloid coverage drive much of the plot, highlighting how private actions become public fodder. The era’s fashion, clubs, and media culture reflect a society eager for entertainment but wary of scandal.
Where
Archers' home, Penguin Club, neighborhood
The Archers' home is the central hub where family tensions flare over trust and reputation. The Penguin Club provides a glamorous but seedy backdrop for nightlife, gambling, and risky encounters that fuel misunderstandings. The neighborhood setting, with its local press and social circles, magnifies the conflict and turns private matters into public spectacles.
- 🏠 Suburban home
- 🎭 Social satire
What Are the Themes of A Kiss for Corliss?
4 ideas the story keeps returning to, among them Rumor, Manipulation and Duty.
-
01
Rumor
Rumors and reputation drive the plot, showing how a diary, a gift, and sensational photographs can transform private moments into public liability. The local newspaper and glossy magazines amplify every misstep, pressuring characters to defend appearances over truth. The film critiques sensationalism while exposing the emotional damage it causes to families and individuals.
-
02
Manipulation
Charm and romance are used as leverage to manipulate others and steer outcomes. Marquis leverages affection, publicity, and deception to bend the Archers to his will, blurring lines between love and coercion. Corliss's diary entries—whether real or imagined—become a bargaining chip in a larger game of power. The tension reveals how personal relationships can be weaponized in pursuit of status.
-
03
Duty
Family duty and moral propriety clash with personal desires as the Archers navigate accusations and potential legal action. Harry Archer fights to shield his daughter from scandal, weighing legal arguments against parental responsibility. The threat of a breach-of-promise suit intensifies the conflict, forcing characters to choose between loyalty and self-interest. The climax tests whether duty can prevail over heart.
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04
Youth
Corliss's teenage romance with Marquis sits at the center of the story, highlighting the line between innocence and adult consequences. The narrative traces how youth grapples with secrecy, peer pressure, and the consequences of rumors. Dexter’s involvement and the broader social scrutiny push Corliss toward a moment of growth and self-definition. The arc suggests that maturity comes from facing the truths behind appearances.
What Kind of Film Is A Kiss for Corliss?
Light in tone, with steady pacing and a straightforward story, going by the plot summary.
- Tone
- Light
- Pacing
- Steady
- Story
- Straightforward
- Intensity
- Medium
- Ending
- Happy
A playful and mischievous 1940s comedy that captures the silly yet high-stakes drama of a teenage girl's fabricated romance, leading to escalating misunderstandings and a climactic public exposure.
- playful
- whimsical
- mischievous
- youthful
- silly
- deceptive
- teenage crush
- parental control
- social scandal
- diary deception
Quiz
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