The Kiss is a 1958 short film written and produced by John Hayes. It was the first major film by Hayes, who would go on to find fame as the writer, producer, and director of B-movie genre films such as Garden of the Dead.
The film was nominated for the 1958 Academy Award for Best Live Action Short Film but lost to Disney's Grand Canyon.
Contents
Plot
In New York, a young man feels isolated while others around him find romantic connections. He responds to a "lonely hearts" ad in the newspaper and meets an attractive woman. However, when she leans in for a kiss at the end of their date, he panics and leaves abruptly. Determined to improve, he reads an instructional manual called Art of Kissing and goes on another blind date from the lonely hearts ad, leading to unexpected outcomes.
Cast
David Brenner as Young Man
Julie Reilly as 1st Date
Teddi Landess as 2nd Date
Jana Pearce as Girl on Beach
William Guhl as Man in Bar
Renée Taylor as Girl in Bar
Madlyn Rhue as Girl in Park
Suzanne Hahn as Female Necker
John Astin as Male Necker
Charles Creasap as Friend at Work
Dorothy Heck as Friend of a Friend