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The Postman Always Rings Twice (1946)
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Overview
User Rating:
Director:
Writers:
Release Date:
2 May 1946 (USA)
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Tagline:
Their Love was a Flame that Destroyed! more
Plot:
A married woman and a drifter fall in love, then plot to murder her husband... but even once the deed is done, they must live with the consequences of their actions. full summary | add synopsis
Plot Keywords:
NewsDesk:
(3 articles)
10 Sexiest Non-Sex Scenes
(From Spout. 19 February 2009, 2:00 PM, PST)
Stone Hits Out at Zeta-Jones Casting
(From WENN. 31 August 2005)
(From Spout. 19 February 2009, 2:00 PM, PST)
Stone Hits Out at Zeta-Jones Casting
(From WENN. 31 August 2005)
User Comments:
Atmospheric story of lust, desire and murder
more (88 total)
Cast
(Complete credited cast)| Lana Turner | ... | Cora Smith | |
| John Garfield | ... | Frank Chambers | |
| Cecil Kellaway | ... | Nick Smith | |
| Hume Cronyn | ... | Arthur Keats | |
| Leon Ames | ... | Kyle Sackett | |
| Audrey Totter | ... | Madge Gorland | |
| Alan Reed | ... | Ezra Liam Kennedy | |
| Jeff York | ... | Blair |
Additional Details
Parents Guide:
Runtime:
113 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
1.37 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Mono (Western Electric Sound System)
Certification:
Australia:PG |
Canada:18A (video rating) |
USA:Passed (National Board of Review) |
Finland:K-16 |
Germany:16 |
USA:Approved (PCA #11240) |
Sweden:15 |
UK:A (original rating) |
UK:PG (video rating) (1996)
Filming Locations:
Company:
Fun Stuff
Trivia:
Joel McCrea turned down the role of Frank Chambers.
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Goofs:
Continuity: Frank takes off his tie after getting married, but it is back on at the train station.
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Quotes:
Frank Chambers:
With my brains and your looks, we could go places.
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Movie Connections:
Referenced in "Bless This House: The Postman Always Moves Twice (#1.10)" (1995)
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Soundtrack:
There is a Tavern in the Town
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FAQ
What does the title mean?How was James M. Cain's book received?
What did Fred Allen write after he received a copy of the book?
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more (88 total)
Message Boards
Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for The Postman Always Rings Twice (1946)| Recent Posts (updated daily) | User |
|---|---|
| Representation of women | natalka-groves |
| Film noir recommendations | LDRose |
| cat scene | rakkjen |
| the postman always rings twice | crathie29 |
| Postman may have rung 3X | efffee |
| Ripoff? | mcphil2 |
Recommendations
If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
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| The Postman Always Rings Twice | Ossessione | Double Indemnity | Strangers on a Train | The Letter |
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| News articles | IMDb Drama section | IMDb USA section |
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Drifter Frank Chambers applies for a job at a road side café belonging to Nick Smith, only to fall under the spell of Nick's wife Cora. He falls into desire which leads to deceit and eventually murder. Too late he falls in love but by then things have gone too far. He tells his story to us with the hindsight of a condemned man.
A classic bit of noir light. Based on Cain's sexual novel this underplays the explicit references but turns the subtle stuff way up - the film opens with a `Man Wanted' sign, while Cora is so well played that there's no doubt what she's offering. Without the explicit sex of the remake this story is a lot freer to be interesting rather than explicit. The court case and the mistrust between the lovers is as good as the early desire giving rise to murder.
Lana Turner is excellent as the femme fatale, she is smouldering and very, very desirable. Garfield is also excellent as the man trapped in her web. The two are the very center of the film and are both superb. If the film has any weakness then it may be that modern audiences need more than very subtle stuff, but that's probably our problem rather than the film's.
Overall this is very enjoyable, it has a great sense of mood and builds well to the inevitable conclusion.