Kiss of Death

Nick Bianco and three accomplices rob a jewelry store on Christmas Eve. The proprietor triggers the alarm, forcing a hurried escape. In the ensuing confrontation, Nick assaults a police officer, is wounded, and taken into custody.

The Assistant District Attorney, Louis D'Angelo, tries to persuade Nick to name his partners in exchange for a lighter sentence. Nick refuses, convinced his wife and children will be cared for while he is imprisoned. As a result, he is given a twenty-year sentence.

Three years into his sentence at Sing Sing, Nick discovers that his wife has committed suicide after not writing for three months. The revelation shocks him and underlines the personal cost of his incarceration.

Nettie Cavallo, who used to babysit Nick's daughters, visits him in prison and reveals that his children are in an orphanage. He considers cooperating with D'Angelo to win a lighter sentence and see his kids, but the time elapsed undermines that option. D'Angelo instead keeps Nick in the city jail and uses him as an informant.

Howser arranges for Tommy Udo, a violent former prisoner, to deal with Pete Rizzo. Udo arrives at Rizzo's tenement, where Rizzo's mother is present, and ultimately kills her by binding her to a wheelchair and pushing her down stairs. The murder signals Udo's readiness to eliminate threats.

Nick is freed on parole at D'Angelo's urging and visits Nettie, renewing his vows. To stay out of trouble and see his children, he must continue working for D'Angelo and maintain a clean image.

Nick stages a chance encounter with Udo, posing as an old prison pal. Udo takes him to several clubs where narcotics are smoked, and Nick reports back to D'Angelo. Satisfied that he has enough to indict Udo, D'Angelo releases Nick from further work.

Nick relocates with Nettie and their children to Astoria, Queens, attempting to build a normal life away from his criminal past. He keeps his past mostly hidden as he negotiates family life.

Udo's trial opens and, despite Nick's testimony, Udo is acquitted. D'Angelo summons Nick to testify, hoping to secure a conviction, but the verdict underscores Udo's immunity from Nick's information.

Fearing Udo's retaliation, Nick sends Nettie and the children to the country for safety. He remains in the city, bracing for further danger while trying to protect his family from the shadows of his past.

Nick locates Udo at Luigi's restaurant in East Harlem and calls D'Angelo to bring police in exactly two minutes. Udo leaves to wait in his sedan; a confrontation ensues, and Udo shoots Nick. Police arrive, Udo is shot and arrested, but Nick is badly wounded yet survives.

Though badly wounded, Nick survives and, with Nettie by his side, looks forward to a peaceful life together. The future remains fragile, but the couple clings to the possibility of a normal family life.