When it comes to chemistry, one of two things is true — a) mix two elements together and nothing happens, or b) combine two elements, stand back, and wait for the fireworks. When it comes to onscreen chemistry, there are those couples whose dynamic is so hot, it’s amazing the screen doesn’t melt. Here’s my list of those deserving an “A” (for attraction):

Brad Pitt & Angelina Jolie — Mr. & Mrs. Smith  With chemistry like that, it could have been real life. Oh, wait. It is.

Patrick Swayze & Jennifer Grey — Dirty Dancing  I spent plenty of time in the Catskills as a kid and I never saw anyone who looked like Johnny Castle. These two took sexy back onto the dance floor — all the while taking Baby out of the corner.

Barbra Streisand & Robert Redford — The Way We Were  He was the rich, privileged, gorgeous WASP whom working-class, Communist, beautiful (in a non-traditional way) Katie Morosky was warned about by her Jewish mother. Like that ever made a difference.

Lauren Bacall & Humphrey Bogart — To Have and Have Not  Her line was the sizzle heard ’round the world: “You know how to whistle, don’t you, Steve?  You just put your lips together. And blow.” His expression when he got her drift: priceless.

Cary Grant & Eva Marie Saint — North by Northwest  Way before the Mile High Club, these two were romancing on the rails.

Steve McQueen & Ali MacGraw — The Getaway  Hollywood’s Bad Boy and America’s Sweetheart in love. In lust. And in big trouble with the law.

Burt Lancaster & Deborah Kerr — From Here to Eternity  That kiss. On the beach. In the wet sand. (Is it hot in here … or is it just me?)

Chemistry (of attraction) is pretty powerful stuff. It’s been known to make men lose all sense of reason and women lose all sense of  …

What was I saying?

© 2013 Claudia Grossman