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Film Romance

Valentine's Day is just around the corner.

Here's a look at a few of the characters from some of Hollywood's most romantic films.  
 

Bonnie and Clyde

The story of Bonnie Parker (Faye Dunaway) and Clyde Parker (Warren Beatty) is as unusual as their love.

Also starring Michael J. Pollard, Gene Hackman and Estelle Parsons, the 1967 film depicts the life and love of the true life depression era outlaws.  
 

When Harry Met Sally

A quintessential Hollywood romantic comedy, this film set in New York City, follows the slowly budding romance between Harry Burns, played by Billy Crystal and Sally Albright played by Meg Ryan.

The film also stars Carrie Fisher as Marie and Bruno Kirby as Jess the respective best friends of the lead characters, as well as a memorable cameo by Rob Reiners's mother Estelle Reiner ("I'll have what she's having").

Written by Nora Ephron and directed by Rob Reiner this adorable film is still as entertaining as it was when it was first released in July of 1989.

 

Romeo and Juliet

The story of star crossed lovers, first published in 1597, was written by William Shakespeare and was one of his most popular plays during his lifetime.

This story has been retold in films, plays, books and cartoons in various forms from purist originals to modern day settings.

In film, it was done in 1968 by director Franco Zeffirelli with Leonard Whiting and Olivia Hussey playing the lead roles.

It was also done in 1996 with Baz Luhrmann directing and Leonardo DiCpario playing Romeo and Claire Danes as Juliet.

More recently a version was done in 2013.

"West Side Story" is an excellent "modern musical" version of the story. The 1961 film version starred Natalie Wood and Richard Beymer in the lead roles as well as Rita Moreno, George Chakiris and Russ Tamblyn.  
 

Samson and Delilah

The Biblical story of Samson and Delilah has been retold in opera form by Camille Saint-Saens, and in various songs, including one by the Grateful Dead.

There have also been many film versions, including a silent era 1922 version.

The 1949 classic version of the film was directed by Cecil B. DeMille and starred Hedy Lamarr and Victor Mature in the lead roles, as well as George Sanders as the Saran, Angela Lansbury as Semadar, and Henry Wilcoxon as Ahtur.

 

The Princess Bride

Another film by director by Rob Reiner, this story within a story begins with a grandfather (Peter Falk), reading an adventure story to his sick-in-bed grandson (Fred Savage).

This 1987 tongue-in-cheek adventure love story is the tale of Buttercup (Robin Wright), a former farm girl, her husband to be Prince Humperdinck (Chris Sarandon) and her one true love, Westley (Cary Elwes).

The talented and funny cast also includes Mandy Patinkin as Inigo Montoya, Christoper Guest as Count Tyrone Rugen, Wallace Shawn as Vizzini, Andre the Giant as Fezzik, Carol Kane as Valerie and Billy Crystal as Miracle Max.