The 1946 film noir The Postman Always Rings Twice, produced by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, is a simmering pot of lust, greed, and desperation, set against the dusty backdrop of a roadside diner. Directed by Tay Garnett, this adaptation of James M. Cain’s novel manages to be both stylish and seedy, a potent combination that still resonates today. The movie is not afraid to explore the darker corners of human desire, making for a viewing experience that’s as unsettling as it is compelling.
The story revolves around Frank Chambers, played with a smoldering intensity by John Garfield, a drifter who stumbles into a job at a rural California diner. He is immediately drawn to Cora Smith, the young, beautiful, and bored wife of the much older diner owner, Nick Smith, portrayed by Cecil Kellaway. Lana Turner embodies Cora with a mixture of vulnerability and calculating ambition, making her far more than just a classic femme fatale. Their affair is almost instantaneous, fueled by a mutual longing for something more than their current lives. The sexual tension between Garfield and Turner is palpable, and their scenes together crackle with a dangerous energy that is hard to ignore.
The script, co-written by Harry Ruskin and Niven Busch, doesn’t paint Frank and Cora as purely evil. They are flawed individuals driven by circumstance and their own base instincts. They plot to kill Nick, hoping to claim his life insurance and escape their humdrum existence. This is a movie that shows how a seemingly simple plan can quickly turn into a twisted web of consequences, as Frank and Cora find themselves struggling with paranoia, guilt, and the ever-present threat of discovery. Hume Cronyn plays Arthur Keats, the crafty lawyer who gets drawn into their mess, adding a further dimension to the narrative. The way the characters interact, with hidden agendas and shifting alliances, really ratchets up the tension, ensuring that you’re constantly guessing about their next move.
It’s important to note that this is not a film that seeks to glorify its protagonists’ actions. Instead, it acts as a cautionary tale, showing the corrosive power of obsession and the futility of trying to escape one’s fate. Leon Ames as the prosecuting attorney, Kyle Sackett, provides a counterpoint to Frank and Cora’s moral ambiguity, representing the forces of law and order that ultimately close in on them. The film’s stark cinematography, which utilizes shadows and tight framing, amplifies the sense of unease, creating a world that feels both claustrophobic and dangerous. The Postman Always Rings Twice is a masterclass in film noir, setting a standard for the genre with its complex characters, suspenseful plot, and stylish presentation.
The Postman Always Rings Twice is a Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer production.
Release Date: 1946
Director: Tay Garnett
Cast: John Garfield, Lana Turner, Cecil Kellaway, Hume Cronyn, Leon Ames
