Key Points
- Barbara Eden and Pat Boone starred together in two films, notably All Hands on Deck (1961).
- Eden claims she gave Boone his first kiss that was not from his wife.
- Before working with Eden, Boone had avoided kissing his leading ladies, including Shirley Jones in April Love.
In a recent interview, I Dream of Jeannie actress Barbara Eden discussed a significant moment in her career with Pat Boone. During the filming of All Hands on Deck, Boone, who had been married since 1953, kissed Eden onscreen—a first for him. Eden recounted the experience, noting Boone’s reputation as a “nice man” and his inexperience with film kisses.
During filming, Eden kissed Boone while his family watched from the ship. This added an awkward element to the scene as his wife and daughters were present. Later in her career, Eden and Boone worked together again in the 1963 thriller The Yellow Canary.
Boone has mentioned the challenges he faced around on-screen romance, having notably refrained from kissing actresses in earlier roles. At a screening of April Love, some 50 years later, he finally kissed Shirley Jones, acknowledging he enjoyed it despite previously being wary of such scenes.
Barbara Eden and Pat Boone’s professional relationship highlights a notable moment in film history, blending personal boundaries with the demands of acting.
