Kiss Them for Me (play)

Kiss Them for Me is a 1945 play by Luther Davis, based on the novel Shore Leave by Frederic Wakeman, Sr. The play is a satirical comedy focusing on three United States Navy aviators returning from the Pacific Theater of World War II. The men, hailed as heroes, are sent on a publicity tour, but they are more interested in enjoying their leave than participating in the war bond drives and photo opportunities expected of them.

The plot centers on their attempts to navigate the expectations of celebrity and their interactions with women who are equally interested in the glamour and attention associated with the war effort. The play examines themes of war fatigue, the commodification of heroism, and the disconnect between the experiences of soldiers and the expectations of the home front.

Kiss Them for Me premiered on Broadway at the Belasco Theatre on March 20, 1945, and ran for 113 performances. It was directed by Herman Shumlin. The play's success led to a 1957 film adaptation of the same name, although the film version made significant changes to the plot and tone.