Kitten with a Whip 1964

David returns home to find Jody asleep in his daughter's bed

David Stratton comes home to an unexpected intruder, a young woman named Jody, who is asleep in his daughter's bed. The discovery introduces a dangerous stranger into his domestic life and sets the tense mood for the story. This moment begins the entanglement that drives the plot.

Jody escapes from juvenile detention and has a violent past

Jody has just escaped from a juvenile detention home, where she stabbed a matron and started a fire. This violent background explains why David is wary yet sympathetic. The backstory foreshadows the danger she brings into his life.

David helps Jody after hearing her tale

David initially wants to call the police, but Jody's tale of woe wins his sympathy. He buys her a dress, gives her some money, and puts her on a bus to leave. This act shows his attempt to do the right thing while avoiding scandal.

David learns Jody is a fugitive and finds her back at home

David soon discovers that Jody is a wanted fugitive who had been lying to him. He returns home to find Jody still there, and she refuses to leave. The revelation heights the tension and personal stakes for David.

Jody refuses to leave; David caves due to politics

Jody refuses to depart and threatens to cause a scandal that could ruin David's political ambitions. Fearing the political fallout, David reluctantly allows her to stay in the house. The decision shifts the focus from safety to public image.

Jody invites friends; a wild party begins

Jody invites three friends, including two ruffians named Ron and Buck, into the house and they bully David into letting them throw a wild party. The night rapidly spirals into chaos. The atmosphere grows increasingly unstable as guests arrive.

Razor fight wounds Ron and escalation of trouble

During the party, a fight erupts and Ron suffers a deep cut in the arm from a razor. The violence marks a turning point, escalating the danger around the house. What begins as a party becomes a precursor to more serious consequences.

The border crossing and the removal of victims

The group drives across the Mexico border, taking David along. They deposit Ron with a local doctor and ditch Buck when the car becomes entangled in barbed wire. The expedition deepens the criminal chaos and pulls David further into danger.

Jody and David move to a Tijuana motel

Jody and David end up in a Tijuana motel, continuing to hide from the consequences of the night's actions. The foreign setting emphasizes their precarious situation. The tension remains high as they navigate safety and exposure.

Ron and Buck return; fatal car crash

Ron and Buck return, prompting a chase that ends with their car crashing and killing both of them. The loss heightens the stakes and leaves David badly injured. The pursuit shifts the crisis toward escape and survival.

David wakes in hospital; Jody has died

David awakens in the hospital with serious injuries and learns that Jody had died. Just before she died, Jody had told the authorities that she had been in the car with Ron and Buck, clearing David of responsibility. The revelation resolves the political danger for David.