Filming love scenes in Hollywood has never been Humphrey Bogart's forte

According to "Tough Without a Gun", a scene in which the characters of Bogart and Astor kiss could have ended in disaster. Described as "never [being] very good at on-screen kisses", he apparently entered the kiss with his teeth rather than his lips.

"During an impassioned two shot with Astor, she suddenly pulled away," Kanfer wrote. "As the cast looked at her, she snapped, 'Try not to break my teeth next time.'

Needless to say, it doesn't sound particularly exciting or enticing, and that's because it wasn't meant to be.

"I don't like love scenes," he reportedly said. Bogart didn't stop there, however, as he had another completely understandable reason why he didn't like them.

According to Kanfer, he followed up with: ""You can't shoot a love scene without having a group of hairy-chested handles standing four feet away from you, chewing tobacco. I'll handle this in the privacy of my room.'"

This directness and awkwardness seems to sum up the mood surrounding the production of "Across the Pacific". The film was a spiritual sequel to the previously mentioned "Maltese Falcon", directed by John Huston and bringing back Bogart and Astor in lead roles alongside Sydney Greenstreet. However, Huston was awaiting a possible commission in the United States Army, which he received towards the end of filming. This anticipation and the short time it took for the film to be made meant the plot felt thin and underwhelming, though it was still a financial and commercial success.

"Mr. Huston gave [Warner Bros.] a delightfully chilling image," wrote Bosley Crowther of The New York Times. "Mr. Bogart is as tough and discerning a client as he ever faced the world with bitter eyes."