Notorious : Cary Grant = Worst Kisser Ever!

Cary Grant = Worst Kisser Ever!

Is it my imagination or does Cary Grant have absolutely no chemistry on screen with his leading ladies? He looks great in a suit. Handsome as can be. Quick with a line. Charming. But when it's all said and done and time to move in for the kiss ... Not in Notorious. Not even in An Affair to Remember. I've been watching some old movies lately and it can't be blamed on the production code. Check out Davis/Merrill in All About Eve. Cooper/Arthur in Mr. Deeds Goes to Town.

Re: Cary Grant = Worst Kisser Ever!

He always seemed to have great chemistry with Kate Hepturn (Philadelphia Story, Holiday and Bringing up Baby). And with Bergman in the early scenes in her house, driving and when she wakes up the next day. Also with Eva Marie Saint in North by Northwest.

Re: Cary Grant = Worst Kisser Ever!

Nope. The scene in the airplane when he looks at Alicia sizzles. And, that's just a look.

Re: Cary Grant = Worst Kisser Ever!

I think Harrison Ford is the worst on-screen kisser EVER. Second is Woody Allen. Both have great chemistry on screen with their romantic ladies, but when it comes to the kiss it's just...eh...blah.

I specifically reminded her - bedside table! On the Kangaroo!

Re: Cary Grant = Worst Kisser Ever!

I thought he was pretty hot when he grabbed her/kissed her on the mountain top, after the cafe scene and before the terrace scene. He looked like he was a GREAT kisser in NBNW.

Re: Cary Grant = Worst Kisser Ever!

I agree, he's a face-rubber and a lip-pecker.

Re: Cary Grant = Worst Kisser Ever!

They really didn't go "all out" in the movies in those days. Personally, I prefer it that way but I'm a square.

Re: Cary Grant = Worst Kisser Ever!

In addition to the stuff already mentioned, it's worth noting that censors at the time were incredibly strict. Sex scenes and nudity were obviously forbidden, but even kissing was severely censored. If a kiss, for example, lasted more than 3 seconds, that was totally unacceptable.

Hence the constant breaking way, or "pecking", and lots of hands-on-face stuff because you weren't allowed to film hands anywhere else. If Cary Grant had done to Ingrid Bergman on film what he might have done in real life (and vice versa)...the film never would have been seen. The style of these scenes at the time was in large part a result of having to get around the censors.

Re: Cary Grant = Worst Kisser Ever!

I thought Grant and Bergman's kiss in the backyard at the party, when Devlin wants Alex to catch them, was pretty sexy.

Re: Cary Grant = Worst Kisser Ever!

^^THIS^^

The answer to why the kissing is flat.

Re: Cary Grant = Worst Kisser Ever!

Agree with everything Ace said. The "pecking" was Hitchcock's way around the censorship board.

Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?

Re: Cary Grant = Worst Kisser Ever!

Thanks for adding some sanity, background and nuance to the inane op.

Re: Cary Grant = Worst Kisser Ever!

There are the censorship issues that made most kisses back in the day seem a bit cold, but I seem to remember either reading or hearing in commentary that Grant really hated kissing on camera. He never seemed comfortable with it in any of his movies. If I find the reference, I'll post it here.

I actually disagree that he doesn't have chemistry with his leading ladies...he just can't make it transfer into his kissing.

Re: Cary Grant = Worst Kisser Ever!

I dunno --- one scene that no one's mentioned so far is the bedroom scene at the end, when Devlin goes up to Alicia's rooom to check in on her --- plenty of heat generated as they hug and swoon together !

J'ai l'oeil AMÉRICAIN !

Re: Cary Grant = Worst Kisser Ever!

And on the balcony he is basically letting HER kiss him which is incredibly sexy.

"I say,open this door at once! We're British !"

Re: Cary Grant = Worst Kisser Ever!

No. That would be Daniel Day Lewis in "The Age of Innocence". UGH !

"I say,open this door at once! We're British !"

Re: Cary Grant = Worst Kisser Ever!

Kissing in today's movies is more realistic; however, I don't really enjoy all that slurping and spit-strings. Yuk.

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