Watch The Kiss

The Kiss is a short black and white silent film that was released in 1896. It was directed by William Heise and features May Irwin and John C. Rice, who were both popular vaudeville performers of the time. The film is believed to be one of the earliest examples of a kiss being captured on camera. The Kiss was produced by Thomas Edison's film production company, the Edison Manufacturing Company. At the time, films were only a few seconds long and were often shown as a novelty alongside other forms of entertainment, such as live music or magic shows. The Kiss was no exception - it was shown as part of a vaudeville act and was intended to be a humorous and slightly scandalous addition to the performance.

The plot of The Kiss is simple - May Irwin and John C. Rice enter the frame and begin to flirt with each other. They move closer and closer until finally, they share a kiss. As they pull away, they smile and wave at the camera before walking offscreen together. It's a brief moment, but one that caused a significant amount of controversy at the time.

The reason for this controversy was that the kiss was seen as scandalous and inappropriate. At the time, kissing on stage or in public was considered to be highly improper, and the fact that The Kiss was filmed and then shown to audiences only added to the scandal. Some critics even described the film as "immoral" and called for it to be banned.

Despite the controversy, The Kiss was a commercial success. Audiences were intrigued by the film and would often request that it be shown again during subsequent performances. The film's popularity also helped to establish Edison's film company as a leader in the emerging industry of filmmaking.

Today, The Kiss is seen as an important piece of cinematic history. Not only is it one of the earliest examples of a kiss being captured on film, but it also represents a turning point in the way that society thought about on-screen romance and love. The scandal it caused in 1896 may seem quaint by today's standards, but it was a significant moment in the development of film as an art form.

In terms of production values, The Kiss is a simple film. It was shot on a single set with minimal props or decorations. May Irwin and John C. Rice wear simple costume pieces, with Irwin in a long dress and Rice in a suit and bowler hat. The film is entirely silent, with no accompanying music or sound effects. The camera is stationary throughout the film, and there are no cuts or edits.

Despite these limitations, The Kiss is still an engaging and entertaining film to watch. The chemistry between May Irwin and John C. Rice is palpable, and their comic timing is impeccable. The film's brevity means that it never outstays its welcome or becomes tedious, and the fact that it was shot in a single take only adds to its charm.

In conclusion, The Kiss is an early and important film that is worth viewing for anyone interested in the history of cinema. Although it may seem unremarkable by today's standards, it represents a significant moment in the development of on-screen romance and love, and it helped to establish the Edison Manufacturing Company as a leader in the film industry. May Irwin and John C. Rice's charming performances make the film an enjoyable watch even today, over a century after it was made.