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The Postman Always Rings Twice

7.6

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3 Related Movies

Related to:

The Last Turn

Related to:

Ossessione

Original title

The Postman Always Rings Twice

Year

1946

Running time

113 min.

Country

United States

Director

Tay Garnett

Screenwriter

Harry Ruskin, Niven Busch. Novel: James M. Cain

Cast

Music

George Bassman

Cinematography

Sidney Wagner (B&W)

Producer

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)

Genre

Film noir. Mystery. Drama. Romance | Crime. The Great Depression. 1930s. Cult Movie

Movie Groups

James M. Cain Adaptations

Synopsis

Set during the Depression, this story concerns an older man and his attractive young wife, who take on drifter Frank Chambers (John Garfield) as an employee at their roadside cafe. Cora, the unhappy wife, is searching for a way out of her drab day-to-day existence. Soon she and Frank develop lustful feelings for each other, and their passions grow until they plan a new life together -- a new life that begins with her husband's murder.

Rankings Position

#49 Best Film Noir Movies
#72 Best Movies of the '40s
#75 Best Mystery Films
#86 Best Crime Movies
#90 Best Romantic Movies in the history of film

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Critics' reviews

"'The Postman' appears no more than a melodramatic tale (...) But the artistry of writers and actors have made it much more than that; it is, indeed, a sincere comprehension of an American tragedy."

Bosley Crowther: The New York Times
"As in Cain’s book, there will be little audience sympathy for the characters (...) The writing is terse and natural to the characters and events that transpire"

Variety Staff: Variety
"This 1946 version became a key film in postwar Hollywood film noir. Directed by Tay Garnett, it remains one of Lana Turner's very best films."

Kevin Thomas: Los Angeles Times
"The best version of James M. Cain's torrid, hard-hitting romance comes to startling life under Garnett's shrewd direction."

TV Guide
"This 1946 film is a key work of the postwar period, dripping with demented romanticism and the venom of disillusionment. Tay Garnett directed, finding the pull of obsession in every tracking shot."

Dave Kehr: Chicago Tribune
"Entertaining, though overlong"

Pauline Kael: The New Yorker

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Ranking Lists Position

43 My Favorite Noir Movies (118)

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The Postman Always Rings Twice

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