The Kiss (1896)

In a medium close-up shot of the first kiss ever recorded on screen, the actors, May Irwin and John C. Rice, perform the controversial final scene of the stage musical play, The Widow Jones. Sometimes referred to as "The May Irwin Kiss" or "The Rice-Irwin Kiss", this tantalising reenactment depicts two fervent lovers cuddle, talk passionately at hair's breadth--and just before the love-smitten gentleman decides to go in--he swiftly brushes his well-groomed moustache to give his chosen one an innocent peck, rather than a hot-blooded kiss. Of course, things have significantly changed since 1896, and what is now viewed as innocuous, it was punishable back then.