Wedding proposals in the movies

From sweet to silly, some of the more memorable big-screen engagement scenes.

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“Gone With the Wind” (1939)

Rhett Butler was never a subtle sort. That’s why he gets down on one knee and insists that a drunken Scarlett O’Hara (Vivien Leigh) should become his wife — shortly after the funeral of her second husband, mind you — in this sweeping Civil War saga to end all sweeping Civil War sagas. When Scarlett refuses, Rhett (Clark Gable) responds by smothering her with a smoldering kiss: “I want you to faint. It’s what you were meant for. None of the fools you’ve ever known have ever kissed you like this, have they?” Well, what woman could say no to that?

Turner Entertainment /

“His Girl Friday” (1940)

In this Howard Hawks-directed classic, Cary Grant and Rosalind Russell play a pair of formerly married journalists who are destined to marry again. How do we know that? Because they bicker in perpetually pithy fashion, which means they’re obviously in love. The banter between the two clips along at such a rapid pace that they basically skip over the formal proposal part, speeding directly to the all-important honeymoon plans.

/ Columbia Industries Pictures Inc.

“The Philadelphia Story” (1940)

In this screwball romance, John Howard, Cary Grant and Jimmy Stewart all have eyes for Katharine Hepburn’s Tracy Lord. Howard starts the movie as her fiance, George Kittredge. But it’s Grant’s C. K. Dexter Haven, Tracy’s ex-husband, who pops the question — by slipping the suggestion in as he feeds lines to Tracy, who is trying to announce to her guests that she’s calling off her wedding to Kittredge. Like we said: screwball.

/ MGM via AP

“Rocky II” (1979)

Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone) proposes to his beloved Adrian on a wintry day at the Philadelphia Zoo, in the most self-deprecating way possible: “I was wondering if you wouldn’t mind marrying me very much.” Hey, give Rocky some credit. He managed to pop the question without using the word “Yo.”

/ Courtesy United Artists

“Moonstruck” (1987)

This Academy Award-winning comedy is bookended by a pair of marriage proposals. Both take place during meals. Both questions are popped by offering the same ring. But only one prompts Cher to declare, “Ma, I love him awful.”

/ Sony Home Entertainment

“When Harry Met Sally” (1989)

Whether or not the New Year’s Eve scene counts as an official proposal is open to debate — there’s no ring, no “Will you marry me?” But when Harry (Billy Crystal) sprints through the city to tell long-time friend Sally (Meg Ryan) that he loves how it takes her an hour and a half to order a sandwich, and announces “I came here tonight, because when you realize you want to spend the rest of your life with somebody, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible,” the future seems pretty clear.

/ Castle Rock Entertainment

“Four Weddings and a Funeral” (1994)

When Hugh Grant embraces Andie MacDowell (in the pouring rain, of course) after leaving his bride-to-be at the altar, he asks the question every woman longs to hear: “Do you think you might agree not to marry me? And do you think not being married to me might be something you could consider doing for the rest of your life?”

/ PolyGram Filmed Entertainment

“Sense and Sensibility” (1995)

Virtually every Jane Austen adaptation contains a stellar proposal scene. But we had to go with Ang Lee’s “Sense and Sensibility” because of Emma Thompson’s performance as Elinor. When she realizes that Edward (Hugh Grant), the man she has pined for in lengthy, reserved silence, is finally free to marry her, the tidal wave of emotion she releases is enough to make any viewer a little weepy.

/ Columbia Pictures

“The Wedding Singer” (1998)

Under a sheen of 1980s nostalgia, Julia (Drew Barrymore) and Robbie (Adam Sandler) fall in love, but she’s already engaged to a creep. When they head to Vegas to elope, Robbie follows, and surprises her mid-flight with a sweet song (“It could be so nice / Growing old with you”). The creep is instantly forgotten: “I am SO in love with you,” Julia declares to Robbie.

Kimberly Wright / New Line Cinema

“My Big Fat Greek Wedding” (2002)

Ian (John Corbett) and Toula (Nia Vardalos) are lounging in bed when he asks her to marry him. In a movie loaded with loud, boisterous, over-the-top family members, the quiet, intimate proposal feels especially sweet.

Sophie Giraud / AP

“Love Actually” (2003)

The entire town marches in behind Jamie (Colin Firth) as he enters the restaurant where Aurelia (Lucia Moniz) works. His broken Portuguese (translation: “I’ve come here with a view to asking you to marriage me”) wins her heart. Sure, the slow walk down the staircase, the soaring score and dramatic kiss amid wild applause are overwrought — just embrace the cheese factor and brace for tears.

/ Universal Pictures

“Walk the Line” (2005)

Johnny Cash (Joaquin Phoenix) and June Carter (Reese Witherspoon) are on stage when he puts her on the spot by refusing to finish their song unless she agrees to marry him. She tries to brush him off, but he continues with pleas so earnest she can’t help but melt. A “yes,” a kiss and a cheering crowd ensue.

Suzanne Tenner / 20th Century Fox

“Pride and Prejudice” (2005)

Mr. Darcy’s second, humbler try at proposing to Elizabeth is successful in the 2005 adaptation of the Jane Austen classic starring Keira Knightley and Matthew Macfadyen.

Alex Bailey / Focus Features via Associated Press

“Twilight: Eclipse” (2010)

Twi-hards swooned as vampire Edward Cullen (Robert Pattinson) told Bella Swan (Kristen Stewart) how in the olden days he’d have courted her with iced tea and sought her father’s permission. Instead, he offers her his mother’s ring and promises to love her “every moment of forever.”

Kimberley French / Summit Entertainment

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Wedding proposals in the movies

From sweet to silly, some of the more memorable big-screen engagement scenes.

Elvis the crocodile attacks a lawnmower at the Australian Reptile Park in Gosford, north of Sydney, in this still image taken from video December 28, 2011. Two workers at a reptile park near Sydney ran for their lives on Wednesday when a 500 kg crocodile named Elvis suddenly lunged at them, making off with their lawnmower. MANDATORY CREDIT. REUTERS/Australian Reptile Park/Handout (AUSTRALIA - Tags: ANIMALS SOCIETY) NO SALES. NO COMMERCIAL USE. NO ARCHIVES. FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NOT FOR SALE FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS

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DALE CITY, VA - DECEMBER 23: Robert Click talks with his wife, Jenny Click, about their finances at their foreclosed home on December 23, 2011, in Dale City, VA. 'Money, money, money. It's all about money,' said Robert Click. Bank of America plans to auction Jenny and Robert Click's home on Jan 6, 2012. The couple has lived there for 11 years with their teenaged daughter and 23 year old son. The couple refinanced in 2006, just before the market tanked. Three years ago, Jenny had to quit her dump truck driving job due to severe back problems. She has not been able to find work. Jenny Click says they are 35 months (about $53,000) behind on their mortgage payment and also behind on the electricity bill. They have found a cheaper place to live in Front Royal, but lack the deposit and first month's rent. They are not sure how long the bank will let them stay after the auction. (Photo by Jahi Chikwendiu/The Washington Post)

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Jenny and Robert Click’s home in Dale City, Va., is in foreclosure, and will go to auction Jan. 6.

Robert Peraza, who lost his son Robert David Peraza in the attacks at the World Trade Center, pauses at his son's name at the North Pool of the 9/11 Memorial before the 10th anniversary ceremony at the site, Sunday Sept. 11, 2011, in New York. (AP Photo/Justin Lane, Pool)

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A limousine carrying a portrait of late North Korean leader Kim Jong-il leads his funeral procession in Pyongyang in this photo taken by Kyodo December 28, 2011. North Korea's military staged a huge funeral procession on Wednesday in the snowy streets of the capital Pyongyang for its deceased 'dear leader,' Kim Jong-il, readying a transition to his son, Kim Jong-un. Mandatory Credit REUTERS/Kyodo (NORTH KOREA - Tags: POLITICS OBITUARY TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY) FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NOT FOR SALE FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS. THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY. IT IS DISTRIBUTED, EXACTLY AS RECEIVED BY REUTERS, AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS. MANDATORY CREDIT. JAPAN OUT. NO COMMERCIAL OR EDITORIAL SALES IN JAPAN. YES

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CAMBRIDGE, MD - MARCH 8: A Great Blue Heron catches a fish with it's bill at the Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge on March 8, 2011 in Cambridge, MD. Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge on the Eastern Shore of Maryland in Cambridge, Md., was established in 1933 as a refuge for migratory birds. The vast 24,000 plus acre refuge is home to several species of wildlife including the American bald eagle which has made a comeback since being taken off the endangered species list in 2007. Migratory birds such as the Tundra Swan, and Snow Geese make stops at Blackwater during the winter months. (Photo by Ricky Carioti/The Washington Post)

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Wedding proposals in the movies

From sweet to silly, some of the more memorable big-screen engagement scenes.

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