From the very first on-screen kiss in the silent 1896 classic “The Kiss,” audiences have been enamoured of and titillated by watching their favorite romantic stars smooch on the big screen.
Hollywood.com would like to celebrate the Kiss, with some of the best, a few of the worst and a bonus kiss, just for movie buffs.
The Classic Kiss
“Gone With the Wind” (1939) – Rhett and Scarlett
No one can forget the first time Rhett (Clark Gable) kisses Scarlett (Vivian Leigh) — a true cinematic moment.
With the city of Atlanta, from which they have just escaped, burning on the horizon, Rhett takes a furious Scarlett in his arms and tells her she is the only woman he’ll ever love. She fights him, angry that he is leaving her to fend for herself as she desperately tries to get to her beloved home, Tara. But all the struggling is for naught, as she succumbs, albeit briefly, to his passion. As do we, although we’d like it to last a little longer.
“Casablanca” (1942) – Elsa and Rick
This kiss could be the best goodbye kiss ever shot.
FADE IN: It’s foggy, at a Casablanca airport. The airplane in the background is ready for take off. Elsa (Ingrid Bergman) is set to let her husband go on without her and stay with Rick (Humphrey Bogart), the man–perhaps the wrong man–she really loves. But Rick knows better than to keep this woman from where she truly belongs. He tells her, “I’m no good at being noble, but it doesn’t take much to see that the problems of three little people don’t amount to a hill of beans in this crazy world. Someday you’ll understand that…. Here’s looking at you kid.” And with that kisses her goodbye – forever.
“Titanic” (1997) – Jack and Rose
Even though this is a more “modern” movie, it certainly has one of the more romantic kisses ever on screen.
Jack (Leonardo Dicaprio) thinks he’s lost Rose (Kate Winslet) – he believes she is going to marry her cruel fiancé and Jack will never see her again. But wait. Rose has decided to come back to him, after all. In his elation, Jack wants to show Rose how to “fly” by having her stand on the bow of the Titanic with her arms spread wide. The experience is one of absolute freedom for Rose, as she breaks away from all that binds her. In her appreciation, she turns and kisses Jack passionately. At that moment, every woman in the audience wishes she could switch places with Rose – immediately.
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On the Lighter Side
“When Harry Met Sally” (1989) – Harry and Sally
“…when you realize you want to spend the rest of your life with somebody, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible.”
So says Harry (Billy Crystal) to Sally (Meg Ryan), after realizing what a terrible schmuck he’s been. He realizes all the things he loves about her–that it takes her an hour to order a sandwich and that her nose crinkles when she looks at him like he’s crazy. He can’t imagine his life without her. Sally wants to hate him, but when he comes running after her and says things to make her heart melt, it is impossible not kiss him. So, as the New Year is being rung in, they do.
“In & Out” (1997) – Howard and Peter
To see these two macho men smack lips on the big screen is a great cinematic moment.
After a former student declares teacher Howard (Kevin Kline) gay on live television, everyone begins having doubts, even though Howard is about to get married – not that he is gay or anything. Or is he? TV reporter, Peter (Tom Selleck), who is openly gay, believes that Howard is indeed a homosexual, but just doesn’t realize it yet. So, Peter decides to test the waters. When the kiss first happens, Howard is flabbergasted. Then Howard gets a little more into it, with a final leg wrap around Peter.
Watch Clip!
(Courtesy of Paramount Pictures)
Plus Two of the Worst Kisses…
“There’s Something About Mary” (1998) – Magda and Puffy, the Dog
Forget about being kind to animals. No one should be permitted to watch the dried-out, over-baked Madga (Lin Shaye) kiss her dog, Puffy, the way that she does. There’s something about turning off the camera.
“The Jerk” (1979) – Navin and Marie
Navin (Steve Martin) really means well when he makes his move to kiss Marie (Bernadette Peters), yet somewhere in the mixed-up files of his brain, Navin thinks that licking is the best way to express himself. Luckily, Marie ends up teaching him a few things.
And for a bonus, the most menacing kiss has to be when Michael Corleone (Al Pacino) kisses his brother Fredo (John Cazale) in “The Godfather, Part II” (1974) and tells him, “I know it was you.” You broke my heart.”
