The Postman Always Rings Twice

Name: The Postman Always Rings Twice
Genre: Drama, Mystery, Thriller, Romance, Crime
Released: May 2, 1946
Duration: 113 min
Rating: 84
Cast: Alan Reed, Audrey Totter, Cecil Kellaway, Hume Cronyn, Jeff York

1946

METASCORE

Universal acclaim based on 10 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 11 Ratings

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7.8

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7.8	Your Score
7.8	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 11 Ratings

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Postman Always Rings Twice

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Movie Details & Credits

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) | Release Date: May 2, 1946 | Passed

Starring: Alan Reed, Audrey Totter, Cecil Kellaway, Hume Cronyn, Jeff York, John Alban, John Garfield, Lana Turner, Leon Ames, Philip Ahlm

Summary: A married woman and a drifter fall in love, then plot to murder her husband.

Director: Tay Garnett

Genre(s): Drama, Mystery, Thriller, Romance, Crime, Film-Noir

Rating: Passed

Runtime: 113 min

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

100

TV Guide Magazine Staff (Not Credited)

The best version of James M. Cain's torrid, hard-hitting romance comes to startling life under Garnett's shrewd direction. Read full review

100

The Observer (UK) John Patterson

More film gris than film noir, it offers a biting moral conundrum at every turn. [17 Oct 2010, p.4]

100

Kevin Thomas

This 1946 version became a key film in postwar Hollywood film noir. Directed by Tay Garnett, it remains one of Lana Turner's (right) very best films. [02 Feb 1997, p.78]

Dave Kehr

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. Read full review

Bosley Crowther

The picture achieves its distinction through the smart way in which it has been made and through the quality of its representation of two passion-torn characters. Read full review

Staff (Not Credited)

Development of the characters makes Tay Garnett’s direction seem slowly paced during first part of the picture, but this establishment was necessary to give the speed and punch to the uncompromising evil that transpires. Read full review

Josh Larsen

This has little of the insinuating nature of the best film noir, as Lana Turner and John Garfield go from 0 to 60 in their first scene together. Read full review

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7.8

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User Reviews

FilipeNeto

Dec 6, 2021

This is one of the most interesting films noir I've seen, and it brings us a story based on a novel written and that would be adapted to cinema again, in the 1980s, in a film that became iconic in its own right. Despite this, this film deserves a close look and presents us with a profoundThis is one of the most interesting films noir I've seen, and it brings us a story based on a novel written and that would be adapted to cinema again, in the 1980s, in a film that became iconic in its own right. Despite this, this film deserves a close look and presents us with a profound and morally challenging story.

It all takes place in a roadside café, where the traveler Frank Chambers gets a job as a helper. He's not the kind of man who wants to lock himself into a place or a job, so the job doesn't seem alluring to him, but everything changes when he meets the boss's wife, Cora. She is really seductive, and he is interested in her despite the fact that she is married and her husband, Nick, is a peaceful soul who would never suspect his hidden intentions. What starts out as an extramarital affair will lead, however, to crime and murder, and ultimately, to the separation of the lovers, divided by mutual suspicion.

The movie is good, and it's as subtle as it is perverse and truly provocative. It's not necessary for us to see the couple in bed to realize what's going on there, and the way the two conspire and plot is truly well done.

Lana Turner deserves a note of praise for the seductive and perverse way she brought Cora to life. She is a quintessential "femme fatale" and is impeccable in the way she brings to life the role that otherwise earned her fame and opened the door to more challenging work that we all know. Alongside her, John Garfield is also at her best, and the way they both work is good and exudes chemistry. Cecil Kellaway, too, is good and authentic in the carefree way he brings a naive and naturally kind husband to life. The film also has the welcome collaboration of Leon Ames.

Black-and-white cinematography is very elegant and makes smart use of light and shadow. The sets are equally notable, in particular the house where it all happens, and Turner's costumes are seductive and highlight the slender, attractive body of the actress, who was one of the most seductive of Hollywood's golden age. The movie has few special effects, but the ones that do are effective and credible.… Expand

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codyz

Jul 21, 2023

When the movie focuses on Lana Turner and John Garfield plotting murder, the film is fun, fine, and thrillingly trashy.

But when the plot goes off into so many illogical and unnecessary tangets, it loses some of its' impact.

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