Guest Blogger, Stacey Coverstone & Giveaway!
by sue on Jun.13, 2010, under Book Chat
Throughout movie history, sexual chemistry has made the screen sizzle and pop whenever the right two stars are cast together. This chemistry, combined with realism and believability, makes for a romantic memory that will stay with the viewer long after the movie is over.
We all have our favorite romantic onscreen couples. Clark Gable and Vivien Leigh carved their place in film history as the roguish Rhett Butler and Southern minx, Scarlett O’Hara. What woman doesn’t swoon when watching Rhett sweep Scarlett off her feet and into his arms, to carry her upstairs to the bedroom?
In a contemporary cinema favorite, Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan revived old-fashioned romance in Sleepless in Seattle when their characters finally meet on top of the Empire State building.
There are many examples of romantic couples in classic and contemporary movies, but what about in the western genre? As a western romance author, I started thinking about the romantic relationships featured in my favorite western movies and realized there are many. After all, every man needs a good woman to come home to after riding, roping, and horse wrangling. On that note, here are my top ten most romantic couples found in western movies:
10. Alejandro Murrieta/Zorro (Antonio Banderas) and Elena Montero (Catherine Zeta-Jones) in “The Mask of Zorro.” Most romantic scene: Zorro enters the barn and is surprised by Elena, who challenges him to a fencing duel. They rip each other’s clothes as they battle wits with their swords. He plants a big kiss on her and asks, “Do you surrender?” “Never,” she answers. When he slices her clothes and they fall off, they kiss again and Zorro leaves Elena in a lovesick daze.
9. Monte Walsh (Tom Selleck) and Martine (Isabella Rossellini) in “Monte Walsh.” Most romantic scene: Monte knocks on Martine’s door after months away on the range. Her smile widens. “You need a haircut,” she says. “I didn’t want to waste any time,” he replies. While kissing her passionately, Monte sweeps Martine into his arms and carries her to the bed.
8. Matthew Quigley (Tom Selleck) and Crazy Cora (Laura San Giacomo) in “Quigley Down Under.” Most romantic scene: Matthew rides away on his horse, leaving Cora behind, and then stops at the top of the hill and looks back at her with his hand thrown over the saddle horn. You need to watch the movie to understand why this simple gesture represents romance of the purest kind.
7. Conn Conagher (Sam Elliott) and Evie Teale (Katherine Ross) in “Conagher.” Most romantic scene: Evie walks through the swinging saloon doors to find Conn beat up. “Mr. Conagher, I think you should come home now,” she says. Showing her one of the notes he’s found stuck in tumbleweed, he asks if she wrote it. “I was lonely,” she admits. “I had to write someone. There was no one.” Conn replies, “There was, Evie. There was me.” They kiss, and it’s the perfect Happily Ever After ending.
6. Joseph Donnelly (Tom Cruise) and Shannon Christie (Nicole Kidman) in “Far and Away.” Most romantic scene: Joseph and Shannon have been thrown out of the boarding house. It is winter and they are walking the streets, starving. They enter a grand house and pretend the home is theirs, they are married, and they love one another. As the snow falls outside the window, they share their first kiss.
5. John Dunbar (Kevin Costner) and Stands With Fist (Mary McDonnell) in “Dances With Wolves.” Most romantic scene: Stands With Fist boldly enters Dunbar’s tipi. It’s dark, but the fire is glowing. She stands in front of him and her deerskin dress slides off her shoulders and falls to the ground to reveal she is naked. No words are spoken as he takes her in his arms and lays her down.
4. Lewis Gates (Tom Berenger) and Lillian Sloan (Barbara Hershey) in “The Last of the Dogmen.” Most romantic scene: Lillian tells Lewis she’s staying with the tribe. “What would you say to a goodbye kiss?” he asks. She replies, “I’d say it’s about time.” After he gives her a peck, she complains, “You call that a kiss?” and lays a big one on him. Lewis rides off on his horse, only to stop and gallop back. He jumps off his horse, grabs Lillian and kisses her with such passion I could feel my own toes curling.
3. Sam Deeds (Chris Cooper) and Pilar (Elizabeth Pena) in “Lone Star.” Most romantic scene: Pilar finds her childhood sweetheart, Sam, waiting for her outside in his car and tells him to follow her. It’s late. They go to her mother’s closed diner and slow dance in the dark to a Mexican song Pilar selects from the jukebox. “The other day you asked why I came back,” Sam whispers in her ear. “I came back because you were here.” Chris Cooper is so believable as a man burning with desire for his woman, which is why this scene ranks #3 in my romantic picks.
2. Johnny Gault (Tim Daly) and Rebecca Yoder (Naomi Watts) in “The Outsider.” Most romantic scene: Johnny rides up to the cabin on his horse to tell Rebecca the boys are already in the field. “I know,” she says. “I sent them there.” She takes his hand and leads him inside to her bedroom. This love scene is so beautiful, with him gently removing her cap and dress, and her taking off his gun belt and lightly touching the scars on his back. The fact that Johnny is a hardened gunfighter and Rebecca is the sweet member of a strict religious sect makes their forbidden love even more intoxicating. Plus, Tim Daly is really hot in this role!
1. Drover (Hugh Jackman) and Sarah Ashley (Nicole Kidman) in “Australia.” This romantic couple rates #1 for me because their chemistry sets the screen on fire from the moment they meet. Most romantic scene: There is a lot of romance in this movie, but one of my favorite scenes is when Drover surprises Sarah by showing up at the ball, looking so handsome, clean-shaven and in a white dinner jacket, and they end up kissing in the rain. I wouldn’t mind getting soaked to the skin, too, if the good-looking Mr. Jackman was kissing me!
Who are your favorite romantic onscreen couples, western or non-western?
Giveaway: Every person who leaves a comment will be entered into a drawing for an electronic version of the winner’s choice of any one of my books. Please visit my website for blurbs, excerpts and videos. Feel free to join my Announce Only Newsletter Group while you’re there.
Thanks so much to Sue for having me today.
Happy Reading!
Stacey Coverstone
http://www.staceycoverstone.com
“High Lonesome” available at: http://usedmarketplace.b
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Sue G - Borders True Romance Host - Borders Romance Buyer, reads romance. For her JOB. No, really. You can email Sue at sgrimshaw at bordersgroupinc dot com.
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Shape-shifter Dev Peltier thought he knew it all. But one night when a Dark-Hunter, who is also an official member of the Dogs of War, sashays into his bar, he realizes he might have met his match. But as old enemies and new move into New Orleans, Samia realizes that Dev just might be the only hope she and mankind have to save the world.
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July 26th, 2010 on 1:19 am
I am of the opinion that if we took the word “business” out of health care and easily eliminated the insurance coverage firms from that scene issues could be better.
June 22nd, 2010 on 4:58 am
I absolutely adore Mel Gibson for playing so cool in “Who Killed the Electric Car?”!
June 21st, 2010 on 12:34 pm
Of course I can agree with this topic and I plan to send it to my mates.
June 20th, 2010 on 4:44 pm
My favorite scene (though I’m not sure it’s a “Western”) is the love scene in The Last of the Mohicans with Daniel Day Lewis and Madilyn Rhue. It is the most erotic, steamy scene and the camera just focuses on their faces. It grabs everytime! After seeing that mpvie I asked my husband: “would you infiltrate a besieged fort, jump over rapids, or enter a hostile Indian village for me?” He said: “Sure, baby, whatever you need.” Good answer.
June 17th, 2010 on 1:02 pm
My favorite western couple is Jim Craig (Tom Burlinson) and Jessica (Sigrid Thornton) in The Man from Snowy River and Return to Snowy River. When he comes back for her, it is so romantic.
June 16th, 2010 on 6:32 pm
Your number 10 is my number one. Catherine Zeta-Jones was an eye opener in that movie. Wow! Antonio was hot, too, but I’ve liked him since “Tie Me Up! Tie Me Down!”
June 14th, 2010 on 7:03 pm
Hi, lovely post! One that came to my mind immediately is Clint Eastwood and Shirley MacLaine in Two Mules for Sister Sara. I love the setting, story, and the chemistry between the two leads. I LOVE the end scene between the two.
Also, more of a comedy than a western, but I love Mel Gibson with Jodie Foster in Maverick.
June 14th, 2010 on 3:20 pm
Loved this post! I have been wanting to watch Australia, now I need to!
June 13th, 2010 on 10:58 pm
Stacey, you’ve outdone yourself with this blog! However, I do disagree on one point…the most romantic scene in FAR AND AWAY is the very end when it looks like Joseph dies, he comes back, Shannon is ecstatic and they drive the flag to claim their land into the ground together
I just love that part…
Melissa
June 13th, 2010 on 10:28 pm
I haven’t seen even half of the movies on your list but they certainly sound romantic. I think there’s something special about Bogart & Bacall - possibly because they were a real life couple and devoted to each other.
June 13th, 2010 on 6:33 pm
I would have to go with Last of the Mohicans.
Larena
June 13th, 2010 on 6:54 pm
Another choice good, Larena.
June 13th, 2010 on 6:56 pm
Sorry. I meant: another good choice, Larena. Getting tired. Been pitting cherries and out with my horses, and it’s been hot as a biscuit today.
June 13th, 2010 on 5:57 pm
Hi Tanya,
Seems most of us are in agreement about Sam Elliott. lol
I totally agree with Etta and Sundance when he’s hiding in her bedroom and surprises her. That should have been in my Top Ten. Don’t know how I forget it! Thanks for the reminder.
June 13th, 2010 on 5:53 pm
Hi Stacey, good blog!
ANything wiht Sam Elliott is five-stars.
I love the teacher-lady scene between Etta and Sundance in BCATSK.
Jeff Bridges and Rachel Ward set Against All Odds on absolute fire!
I love Omar Sharif and Julie Christie in the frozen scenes of Dr. Zhivago.
Thanks for some good looking-back! oxoxox
June 13th, 2010 on 4:30 pm
Hi Lil Miss Molly,
I have to admit I haven’t seen The Colin Firth or Keira Knightly movies you mention. I used to be into the English/Jane Austen type of movies, but haven’t watched any in a long time. I’ll have to check them out and especially the scenes you mention. Thanks for dropping by.
June 13th, 2010 on 3:29 pm
I agree with over half of your picks - they are right on! Not very many people have seen Quiggly Down Under or Far and Away and those are 2 of my favorite movies. The chemistry between Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehles in Pride and Prejudice as Fitzwilliam Darcy and Elizabth Bennett also rate up in my Top 10. The Keira Knightley and Matthew MacFadyen version has a few great chemistry scenes too - especially the one where she leaves church and they are out in the rain, verbally sparing with each other. When there done sparing, right before he leaves, he leans in and I swear they are going to kiss each other!!
June 13th, 2010 on 12:04 pm
Hi Tia,
All wonderful romantic couples you mention. I see you really love the older movies. Doris Day is one of my favorites. Love Gregory Peck, too. Have fun watching the oldies.
June 13th, 2010 on 11:18 am
Your post has me in the mood for watching some movies that I haven’t seen in quite awhile. Some favorite couples are:
Humphrey Bogart & Lauren Bacall
Katharine Hepburn & Spencer Tracy
Doris Day & Rock Hudson
Myrna Loy & William Powell (Thin Man Series)
Gregory Peck & Audrey Hepburn (Roman Holiday)
Al Pacino & Michelle Pfeiffer (Frankie and Johnnny)
June 13th, 2010 on 10:23 am
Hi Mary Anne,
Thanks for mentioning these great movie couples. I love the old movies, too, and these are some good ones. Poor Miss Kitty. She waited so long for Matt.
June 13th, 2010 on 10:16 am
Hi Kandace,
I loved Australia and think Hugh Jackman ranks right up there with sexy men.
June 13th, 2010 on 10:15 am
Hi Victoria,
I don’t know too many women who don’t like Sam. He’s the essence of western masculinity, in my opinion.
June 13th, 2010 on 10:15 am
Thank you for your post, Stacey.
There are too many memorable romantic couples and love scenes from the movies for me to list. But if we narrow it down to westerns, I’d add five that haven’t been mentioned yet:
Gregory Peck and Jennifer Jones in “Duel in the Sun”
John Wayne and Claire Trevor in “Stagecoach”
Gregory Peck (again), Jean Simmons, and Carol Baker in “The Big Country” (a romantic triangle)
Doris Day and Howard Keel in “Calamity Jane”
James Stewart and Debra Paget in “Broken Arrow”
All these films were before my time. But for reasons I can’t explain or even figure out, I really go for old movies.
Also, though this technically falls under the heading of television rather than cinema, if we’re discussing romantic couples in onscreen westerns, we can’t leave out James Arness and Amanda Blake as Marshall Matt Dillon and Miss Kitty Russell in the long-running series “Gunsmoke”.
June 13th, 2010 on 9:16 am
Australia did have a lot of great scenes. It would be hard to pick just One scene out of that one.
June 13th, 2010 on 9:05 am
Hi Stacey,
Oh lots of good scenes you mentioned. I do have a soft spot for Sam Elliot.
June 13th, 2010 on 7:20 am
Hi Virginia,
You and I think share the same taste in men! Sam Elliott and Tom Selleck are my favorite western men, too. I have all their movies. Tim Daly ranks up there with them in sex appeal in The Outsider. Like you, I never tire of that movie. Love High Noon, too. Gary Cooper is a favorite of mine from that era.
June 13th, 2010 on 7:16 am
Hi Tracey,
I remember that scene in Thorn Birds, too. Wow, we’re dating ourselves here. LOL. Thanks for stopping by.
June 13th, 2010 on 7:14 am
Hi, Stacey! I love this post! Historical Western Romance is my favorite genre! When a cowboy truly loves, he loves with all his heart, forever. His woman is as cherished as his values, his “cowboy code of honor”. Not always in words, but in deep, deep feelings. Feelings as true as the blue of a Texas bluebonnet.
Sam Elliott is the love of my life, and he has no peer as a Western star! As I’ve said many times, his voice alone makes all the seams in your clothes come loose : ) “Conagher” is a great movie on many levels. Sam and his wife, Katharine Ross, are picture perfect in this film. Louis L’Amour, Sam Elliott, Katharine Ross and a stellar supporting cast make this sweet prairie love story unforgettable! I own the book and the movie. In addition to playing the title role, Sam executive produced and co-wrote the screenplay (with wife Katharine Ross and Jeffrey M. Meyer ) for “Conagher”. The picture was one of the highest-rated originals ever to air on TNT and would win Sam a Western Heritage Award, as well as a Golden Globe nomination (for Best Performance by an Actor in a Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for TV).
Tom Selleck makes a mighty fine man of the West. He and Sam Elliott are great friends and costarred in two great movies based on Louis L’Lamour stories: “The Sacketts” and “The Shadow Riders”. Tom Selleck was recently inducted into the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum for his work in Western films.
Tim Daly. “The Outsider”. Tim Daly. I have watched this movie more times than I can count, and it hasn’t cooled down yet. Tim Daly : )
Gary Cooper. Grace Kelly. “High Noon”. The wonderful theme song sung by Tex Ritter:
Do not forsake me O my darlin’
On this our wedding day.
Do not forsake me O my darlin’
Wait, wait along.
The noonday train will bring Frank Miller.
If I’m a man I must be brave
And I must face that deadly killer
Or lie a coward, a craven coward,
Or lie a coward in my grave.
O to be torn ‘twixt love and duty!
S’posin’ I lose my fair-haired beauty!
Look at that big hand move along
Nearin’ high noon.
He made a vow while in State’s Prison,
Vow’d it would be my life or his and
I’m not afraid of death, but O,
What will I do if you leave me?
Do not forsake me O my darlin’
You made that promise when we wed.
Do not forsake me O my darlin’
Although you’re grievin’, I can’t be leavin’
Until I shoot Frank Miller dead.
Wait along, wait along
Wait along
Wait along
– “Do Not Forsake Me [The Ballad of High Noon]”, words by Ned Washington, music by Dmitri Tiomkin
June 13th, 2010 on 6:46 am
Hi, Stacey.
My favorite romantic scene is the beach scene in The Thorn Birds with Ralph de Bricassart (Richard Chamberlain) and Maggie Cleary (Rachel Ward).
I was sitting in the TV room of my dorm and the whole room cheered during that scene! LOL
June 13th, 2010 on 6:18 am
Hi Katrina,
That’s a western I’ve never seen. I’ll definitely have to check it out.
June 13th, 2010 on 5:28 am
Hi Stacey! I love westerns (both as romance novels and as films). One of the most romantic I’ve seen is McCabe and Mrs Miller, with Warren Beatty and Julie Christie. I think Julie Christie got an Oscar for her performance. It’s absolutely beautiful and I highly recommend it.