Vertical Thrills

Pocket Books, meanwhile, will re-release Levin’s first-ever novel, “A Kiss Before Dying” (1953), later this year in conjunction with Universal’s remake of a 1956 film adaptation.

The original film starred Robert Wagner as a sociopath who weds a young woman who’s unaware he’s murdered her twin sister. In the new version, Matt Dillon stars opposite Sean Young.

Writer-director James Dearden, who just wrapped the film at London’s Shepperton Studios, tells us the 10-week shoot with the offbeat actress went “very smoothly.”

“Rumors notwithstanding,” he says, “Sean Young is a thorough professional and a delight to work with.”