Customer Reviews

Almost a Bride

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

ALMOST A BRIDE (aka "A Kiss for Corliss") provides a fitting finale to Shirley Temple's screen career. This was a sequel to the popular "Kiss and Tell", in which Temple first played the lovesick teen Corliss Archer.

In this delightful film, Corliss becomes infatuated with the handsome and worldly playboy Kenneth Marquis (David Niven). She decides to get even with her boyfriend Dexter (Darryl Hickman) and write some steamy - and fake - sections about Kenneth in her diary. Complications arise when the diary falls into the hands of Kenneth and her parents. Naturally her parents are mortified, but Kenneth decides to have a little fun and play along with Corliss' games, so he places an article in the paper announcing his engagement to her! Fantastic support is provided by Tom Tully, Gloria Holden, Kathryn Card and Robert Ellis (who would later go on to play Dexter in the short-lived television sitcom "Meet Corliss Archer").

Temple is ideally-suited to Corliss and the entire film is a bright and breezy delight. Had Temple continued her film career, she would have been sensational as a screwball comedienne. Sadly audiences could not (or indeed would not) accept that little "Curly Top" was all grown up and ready for more challenging roles, and thus Temple retreated from the screen. Still, it's great to see this film surfacing on DVD (through the 'Cinema Deluxe' label from Geneon Entertainment) at a bargain price.

If you enjoyed this film, you will also love the television sitcom "Meet Corliss Archer". Several volumes of episodes from the series are available from Alpha Video Classics.

TECHNICAL DETAILS:
Single-sided, single-layer disc
Slimline case
Audio: 2-channel Dolby stereo

Originally released as KISS FOR CORLISS, this 1949 coda of Temple's silver screen performances again finds Corliss Archer (Shirley Temple) with a crush on an older man. She secretly confesses to her diary an imagined relationship with wealthy, though frequently married, Kenneth Marquis (David Niven), 20 years her senior. Out of spite for a despised Mr. Archer, attorney for his last wife, Marquis confirms the story after Corliss's parents discover the diary. Wedding plans ensue. This leads to a public scandal and jealous true boyfriend, Dexter Franklin (Darryl Hickman).

It seems the only roles offered to teenage Temple were ones where she nurtured affections for mature men. (THE BACHELOR AND THE BOBBY-SOXER, 1947; I'LL BE SEEING YOU, 1945) Though she likely wanted to play more womanly parts, from her youth she was type cast as a precocious girl. The quality of this delightful B+W film is surprisingly poor (fair w/o digital restoration) considering it is the treasured climax of Temple theater. This was a wonderful vehicle for prolific child-star Hickman's unbridled antics which were much more subdued in LEAVE HER TO HEAVEN (1945) and too brief in THE STRANGE LOVE OF MARTHA IVERS (1946). Though some of the acting may be a bit exaggerated, ALMOST A BRIDE is an enjoyable comedy for the entire family.

Movie quote: "Oh, and if the indignity of taking money from Daddy Dear ever becomes too great to bear, don't hesitate to call on me."

As always Shirley never fails to entertain me,she is a natural in front of the camera,whatever age she may be!

If you're expecting a riotous good time, you won't find it here. However, if you're looking for a pleasant way to spend an hour or so, with a few chuckles and some fine performances, you've come to the right place.

"Almost a Bride" (originally released as "A Kiss for Corliss") came about at an interesting time in motion pictures. Television was just starting to take hold, and in many ways, the film seems like an extended television episode. It's very much in the mold of a show like "Our Miss Brooks" or one of the many teen-led comedies of the period.

The story is pure Corliss Archer. Those who are familiar with the Corliss Archer radio program or television show will know what I mean. Typical teen fare, but well-enough made and quite a bit of fun. It was Shirley Temple's final film appearance (though she would appear on television many times subsequent) and it's certainly not her best. It is, however, an exercise in what could have been.

Teenage Temple was quite appealing, and she had matured as an actress. It's one thing to be a tap dancing toddler, it's another to be a young adult actress. Shirley proved in films like "Since You Went Away" that she had the acting chops. She was, however, rarely given the opportunity to show it.

But, back to the film. It's in the screwball comedy mold, and as light entertainment it succeeds.

As long as you're not expecting an Oscar-worthy masterpiece, you can't go wrong. An entertaining programmer, worth a look on a rainy Saturday. Adults and older kids will enjoy this one.

This is a nice fluff flick. Not to be taken as a great movie. It is a rainy day, snow outside, have the flu flick. Easy to follow and entertaining. That's what a movie should be. Shirley Temple is great and it's a shame she gave up acting after this. Buy for yourself but tell everyone you got for the Grandkids...LOL

I was a huge Shirley Temple fan when I was little and she was the main reason I bought this movie. I actually think her acting is excellent and she grew up to have a very nice and shapely figure. However, I myself, have never been a fan of the movies in which the plot consists of basically one mistaken belief heaped upon another mistaken belief and so forth. I've seen better movies and I've seen worse movies, that's about all I can say.

I love Shirley Temple and all of her movies, but i failed to notice that this one was not in color. Other than that i thought it was great.

Shirley Temple plays, in my opinion, an extremely unlikeable character in this movie. She is spoiled and toys with Dexter's heart. In this movie she makes up a huge lie when she gets locked in the basement of the Penguin Club till five in the morning. She claims she's gotten amnesia and thinks she is a nine year old child again. Unfortunately for her she and her friend had also told another lie while trying to make Dexter jealous; that Chariss (Shirley Temple who is playing a 17 year old girl) and Marquis (a 37 year old scoundrel)are madly in love and have possibly had sexual relations. When Marquis finds out instead of denying the whole thing he plays along and Temple actually becomes engaged to him. Just before the wedding is to occur the truth finally comes out from all parties and all Temple's friends (who have been bribed to go along with the plot) that this has all been a scam. Of course the wedding is off, much to her parent's relief.

Some of the plot is very cheesy and ridiculous, but it is also quite humorous. As I titled the post, this movie is silly, but still very loveable and I did enjoy this movie. If you are a fan of Shirley's later works I would suggest (if you can find it) The Honeymoon which is also a very lighthearted and funny movie.

I haven't seen this movie yet but I've enjoyed all the Shirley Temple movies so feel I will like this one also.

We enjoyed this movie very much. David Niven was sublime; I couldn't get enough of him and his personality in this movie.