From Here To Eternity(01 of20)
Open Image ModalThis tide-defying embrace by Burt Lancaster and Deborah Kerr has long outrun other contenders for one of the screen's most romantic embraces. None of that 'Brief Encounter' wobbly teacup and restraint for these two. All images: Getty
James Dean and Ursula Andress(02 of20)
Open Image ModalBecause of the brevity of James Dean's shining star, there are only a few pictures of him cuddling anyone. Ursula Andress was one of the lucky ones for whom the 'East of Eden' star was, from this pic anyway, willing to give his undivided attention.
'Kissing her sister'(03 of20)
Open Image ModalSame-sex public kissing has come to mean all sorts of different things in the half-century since this picture was taken - defiance in the face of social norms giving way, thankfully, to everyday occurrences, still playful and sometimes, as here, just incredibly glamorous.
John and Yoko, Loving Couple - Brian Hamill(04 of20)
Open Image ModalOne of those couples who seemed to spend a lot of time checking the cameras were on them, so they could ignore them.
Marilyn Monroe - Weegee(05 of20)
Open Image ModalIf there was one constant lover in the troubled romantic life of Marilyn Monroe, it was the camera. Here she is, returning some affection.
Movie Lovers(06 of20)
Open Image ModalWe won't be asking these two to explain the finer plot points of the film.
Peter Sellers and wife Britt Ekland at home on the couch kissing - Allan Grant(07 of20)
Open Image ModalThese two married ten days after meeting. It lasted four years.
Planet of the Apes(08 of20)
Open Image ModalMan's best friend.
The Prince and Princess of Wales(09 of20)
Open Image ModalBefore any sign of trouble, the nation was entranced by the Prince of Wales and his new bride Diana.
Beatle Ringo Starr with fans Dorothy Howe (left) and Judith Howe at Kingsford Smith Airport(10 of20)
Open Image ModalSometimes, as the Beatles drummer discovered, it was easier just to surrender.
Riot breaks out after game in Vancouver - Rich Lam(11 of20)
Open Image ModalSometimes the moment just takes over... and, as peace lovers would point out, if more people had felt like this, there wouldn't have been a riot.
Royal Wedding 2011 - Christopher Furlong(12 of20)
Open Image ModalThe stuff of fairytales.
A jubilant American sailor clutching a white-uniformed nurse(13 of20)
Open Image ModalVery American, utterly universal.
Barbara Payton and George Douglas(14 of20)
Open Image ModalA world of their own, although it does look more like the North Atlantic than the Caribbean. Hope their cardies are to hand.
Richard Gere in 'Breathless'(15 of20)
Open Image ModalThis, on the other hand, as Richard Gere gives Valerie Kaprisky the benefit of his singular Paddington Bear, is undeniably exotic.
Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor(16 of20)
Open Image ModalThe triumph of hope over unique experience.
Gregory Peck and Ann Todd(17 of20)
Open Image ModalNever mind all that, Alfred Hitchcock has a tickle up his nose.
Claude Marsan and Leonard McCombe(18 of20)
Open Image ModalThis is, quite literally, a Frenchman demonstrating how to make love to his wife.
Director Luis Bunel and actress Catherine Deneuve(19 of20)
Open Image ModalIf a woman's going to give you the cold shoulder, best make it the shoulder belonging to the most beautiful woman in the world.
Elvis Presley kissing Debra Paget - Michael Ochs Archives(20 of20)
Open Image ModalBecause of all the rubbish Colonel Parker made him do, there ARE pictures of Elvis kissing lots of women on screen, but this one was special. His kissing partner was Debra Paget, his co-star in 'Love Me Tender', and Elvis became so smitten he reportedly proposed marriage. Unfortunately, Debra's affections were then elsewhere, with one Howard Hughes. That came to nothing either. Of all these attempted liaisons, this wholesome pic remains.