The Postman Always Rings Twice (1946) starring Lana Turner & John Garfield / Z-View
The Postman Always Rings Twice (1946)
Director: Tay Garnett
Screenplay: Harry Ruskin Niven and Busch; based on THE POSTMAN ALWAYS RINGS TWICE by James M. Cain
Stars: Lana Turner, John Garfield, Cecil Kellaway, Hume Cronyn, Leon Ames, Audrey Totter and Alan Reed.
Tagline: Their Love was a Flame that Destroyed!
The Overview: Beware of Spoilers…
Frank Chambers, a drifter stops at a diner and is offered a job by the middle-aged owner, Nick Smith. As Frank begins to turn down the work, he spots Cora, a very attractive waitress and changes his mind.
Soon enough Frank learns that Cora is Frank’s wife. Frank would be ready to move on except that Cora seems interested in him. Although both Frank and Cora attempt to fight the attraction, it’s strong and won’t be denied. It doesn’t take long until Frank and Cora are planning Nick’s demise.
And we all know how those things work out, don’t we?
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Garfield and Turner definitely had chemistry. I love how each of them fights the attraction.
James M. Cain, who wrote the novel that the movie was based on, was so impressed with Lana Turner that he gave her a leather-bound copy of the book inscribed, “For my dear Lana, thank you for giving a performance that was even finer than I expected.”
The Postman Always Rings Twice has a couple of great twists. The cast and direction are top notch.
A classic.
Rating:
