For anyone who thinks romance is dead, here's five classic movies that will rekindle the flame for Valentine's Day...
Film: "Casablanca" (1942)
Stars: Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid Bergman, Claude Rains
The story: You must remember this? Old lovers Rick and Ilsa reunite in a North African gin joint, realize they're still perfect for each other, so he makes the ultimate sacrifice - for love. Ahhh.
Lovestruck fact: Despite rumours to the contrary, Ronald Reagan never actually turned down the chance to play Rick Blaine. It was just a story put about by his agent to improve his profile.
Available on video/DVD? There's a video and special edition DVD.
Romance factor: 10/10
Film: "Roman Holiday" (1953)
Stars: Gregory Peck, Audrey Hepburn, Eddie Albert
The story: A cynical American writer based in Rome finds himself sitting on a great exclusive, after spending a night and a day with a young princess who's escaped the confines of palace life. See "Casablanca" to see how things turn out.
Lovestruck fact: Cary Grant and Elizabeth Taylor were originally in line to star when Frank Capra was set to direct.
Available on video/DVD: Out now on video; it's released on DVD in April.
Romance factor: 8/10
Film: "From Here to Eternity" (1953)
Stars: Burt Lancaster, Deborah Kerr, Frank Sinatra
The story: Stationed in Hawaii in 1941, an army sergeant begins a passionate affair with his commanding officer's wife. The legendary tryst in the waves has inspired numerous pastiches, most notably in "Airplane!".
Lovestruck fact: Joan Crawford rejected a role in the movie after disagreements over her costumes (she hated them).
Available on video/DVD? There's a video and DVD.
Romance factor: 8/10
Film: "Manhattan" (1979)
Stars: Woody Allen, Diane Keaton, Mariel Hemingway
The story: A fortysomething divorcee embarks on a love affair with a teenage girl (and his native New York), in Woody Allen's unabashed romantic comedy. With lines like "I think people should mate for life, like pigeons or Catholics", how can you resist?
Lovestruck fact: Mia Farrow's sister, Tisa, appears as a party guest. Mia went on to become Woody's muse for the next 10 years.
Available on video/DVD? There's a video and DVD.
Romance factor: 9/10
Film: "Titanic" (1997)
Stars: Leonardo DiCaprio, Kate Winslet, Billy Zane
The story: Well, there's this big boat... As a romance, "Titanic" is unashamedly Mills and Boon-lite. As an action/romance pic, it blows everything else out of the water. More ice?
Lovestruck fact: Gwyneth Paltrow was initially offered the Kate Winslet role of Rose.
Available on video/DVD? There's a video and DVD.
Romance factor: 7/10
Still looking for love? Try these...
Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal struggle with that old friends/lovers conundrum in "When Harry Met Sally"; Humphrey Bogart and Katharine Hepburn set sail on "The African Queen"; Cary Grant and Audrey Hepburn play "Charade"; Gene Kelly falls for Debbie Reynolds in "Singin' in the Rain"; and Ewan McGregor sings Nicole Kidman's praises in "Moulin Rouge".
