A Kiss Before Dying

MOVIE DESCRIPTION:

Budd Corliss (Robert Wagner) is an ambitious, poor boy from the wrong-side-of-the-tracks who murders his girlfriend Dorothy (Joanne Woodward) -- making the death look like a suicide -- when her pregnancy eliminates his chances of being accepted by her wealthy family. Her sister Ellen (Virginia Leith), refusing to believe that Dorothy has committed suicide, begins to investigate on her own. She meets Budd, and ignorant of his prior relationship with Dorothy begins a relationship with him. When Ellen discovers that Budd knew Dorothy, the stage is set for a final, dramatic showdown as Ellen fights to revenge her sister and save her own life. The script, adapted from the novel of the same name written by Ira Levin is excellent and tension-filled. Joanne Woodward is fine in a touching performance as the vulnerable and trusting Dorothy. A wooden performance by Robert Wagner in the pivotal central role mars the film and destroys some of its credibility, as Wagner, though handsome, lacks the charm and charisma necessary to make the character of Budd believable. Also, despite an excellent performance by Mary Astor as Budd's class-conscious, greedy mother, the film fails to achieve any sympathy for Budd or understanding of the motivations that drove him to do what he did. ~ Linda Rasmussen, Rovi

DVD FEATURES:

• Region: 1
• Number of Discs: 1
• Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1
• Audio: Dolby Digital Mono
• Screen: Pan and Scan
• Subtitle: Mult
• Features:
  • cc
  • Original theatrical trailer
  • English: mono
  • French: mono
  • Spanish: mono
  • English, french & spanish subtitles

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

• Cast:

  
       Robert Wagner - Bud Corliss
       Jeffrey Hunter - Gordon Grant
       Joanne Woodward - Dorothy Kingship
       Robert Quarry - Dwight Powell
       Virginia Leith - Ellen Kingship
       Mary Astor - Mrs. Corliss
       Howard Petrie - Chesser
       George Macready - Leo Kingship
       Bill Walker - Butler
       Mollie McCart - Annabelle
       Marlene Felton - Medical Student

• Director:

  Gerd Oswald

• Producer:

  Robert L. Jacks

• Screenwriter:

  Lawrence Roman

• Book Author:

  Ira Levin

• Cinematographer:

  Lucien Ballard

• Composer (Music Score):

  Lionel Newman

• Songwriter:

  Lionel Newman, Carroll Coates

• Editor:

  George A. Gittens

• Art Director:

  Addison Hehr

• Set Designer:

  James Roach

• Costume Designer:

  Henry Helfman, Evelyn Carruth

• Sound/Sound Designer:

  Frank Webster

• First Assistant Director:

  Sid Sidman