A Kiss Before Dying (1956)

In the prestigious halls of state-run Stoddard University, a clandestine romance brews between the ambitious working-class student Bud Corliss and the wealthy Dorothy Kingship, affectionately known as Dorie. They keep their love hidden due to Bud's fear of not gaining approval from Dorie's affluent, yet hyper-critical father, Leo Kingship, the stern owner of Kingship Mines. His harsh nature has not only led to a bitter divorce over a past mistake but has also strained his relationship with both Dorothy and her sister, Ellen. Bud's unique devotion to Dorie, marked by his tender nickname for her, is a charming escape from her affluent yet rigid past. Bud dreams of trading his humble life for a future painted with prosperity. However, their relationship encounters a significant obstacle when Dorie reveals she is pregnant with his child. Despite Dorie viewing marriage as a natural progression of their love, Bud sees it as a threat to his upward mobility. His fear of her father's wrath, coupled with the looming financial burden, drives Bud towards a dark path of deadly deceit. With no other options that Dorie would accept, Bud plots a sinister ruse to stage her suicide. Months pass, and back home, Ellen stumbles upon evidence that begins to unravel the truth behind her sister's supposed suicide. However, she is distracted by a new romance of her own, falling under the spell of a man just as her sister did. Meanwhile, Dorie's math tutor, Gordon Grant, with his natural suspicion borne out of his other part-time job, begins to question the circumstances surrounding her death. In a world where love and ambition clash, the movie "A Kiss Before Dying" weaves a tale of suspense, intrigue, and the dangerous lengths one would go to protect their dreams. This captivating narrative will leave you questioning every character's motives, while the mystery of Dorie's death gradually unfolds.

A Kiss Before Dying is a crime movie featuring Robert Wagner and directed by Gerd Oswald.

It is possible to buy A Kiss Before Dying on Amazon Video, Apple TV and Vudu.