The Postman Always Rings Twice

Director: Tay Garnett Tay Garnett

Overview

"This taut and entertaining adaptation of James M. Cain's best-selling thriller gets a solid presentation for its release on DVD. The 1946 version of The Postman Always Rings Twice has been transferred to disc in its original full-frame aspect ratio of 1.33:1, and the audio has been mastered in Dolby Digital Mono. Viewers may choose between the original English-language soundtrack and a dubbed version in French; optional subtitles in English, French, and Spanish are also included. Bonus materials include a documentary on leading man John Garfield, an introduction from film historian Richard Jewell, a gallery of production photos, and trailers for both this film and the 1981 remake."

Product Details

Release Date:	01/06/2004
UPC:	0012569585829
Original Release:	1946
Rating:	NR
Source:	Warner Home Video
Region Code:	1
Presentation:	[B&W]
Sound:	[Dolby Digital Mono]
Language:	English
Time:	1:53:00

Special Features

Closed Caption;Revealing documentary profile "The John Garfield Story," narrated by Julie Garfield; Introduction by film historian and author Richard Jewell; Theatrical trailers of the original and the 1981 remake; Behind-the-scenes image gallery

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

John Garfield	Frank Chambers
Lana Turner	Cora Smith
Cecil Kellaway	Nick Smith
Hume Cronyn	Arthur Keats
Leon Ames	Kyle Sackett
Audrey Totter	Madge Gorland
Alan Reed	Ezra Liam Kennedy
Jeff York	Blair
Charles Williams	Jimmie White
A. Cameron Grant	Willie
Wally Cassell	Ben
William Halligan	Judge
Morris Ankrum	Judge
Garry Owen	Truck Driver
Dorothy Phillips	Nurse
Edward Earle	Doctor
Byron Foulger	Picnic Manager
Sondra Morgan	Matron
Jeffrey Sayre	Reporter
Walter Ridge	Reporter
Dick Crockett	Reporter
James Darrell	Reporter
Brick Sullivan	Officer,Doctor
Paul Krueger	Officer
Paul Kruger	Officer
Philip Ahlm	Photographer
John Alban	Photographer
Harold Miller	Photographer
Reginald Simpson	Photographer
Betty Blythe	Customer
Helen McLeod	Customer
Hilda Rhodes	Customer
Joel Friedkin	John X. MacHugh
Jack Chefe	Headwaiter
George Noisom	Telegraph Messenger
Frank Mayo	Bailiff
Bud Harrison	Bailiff
Virginia Randolph	Snooty Woman
Tom Dillon	Father McConnell
Howard Mitchell	Doctor
James Farley	Warden
Edgar Sherrod	Man
Dan Quigg	Man
Oliver Cross	Man
Paul Bradley	Man
Paula Ray	Woman

Technical Credits

Niven Busch

Harry Ruskin

Tay Garnett	Director
Niven Busch	Screenwriter
Harry Ruskin	Screenwriter
Carey Wilson	Producer

Editorial Reviews

A classic 1940s film noir, The Postman Always Rings Twice is shot through with an overwhelming sense of the inevitability of fate. In the tradition of Greek tragedy, characters who appear to be in control of their fates turn out to be trapped and compelled by urges beyond their control. They are attractive but flawed, and corrupt at a level so basic that no amount of absolution can cleanse them of their sins. Lana Turner is so magnetically attractive that it is easy to see why John Garfield's character is so quick to fall under her charms and into her arms. Garfield does a capable job of portraying his character's basic moral neutrality: he will do what has to be done, not because it is right or wrong, but simply because it is what must be done. The Macbeth-like plotting of the lovers leads to the predictable recriminations and double-crosses. Even in noir, evil is punished. Eventually. Sort of. The passions that drive the couple to murder are the same fates that manipulated Macbeth, but, in both cases, the characters must pay a price for their weaknesses. The relentless intensity of the Turner-Garfield relationship has rarely been matched on screen. The taut script by Harry Ruskin was based on the novel by noir-meister James M. Cain (Double Indemnity Mildred Pierce), and director Tay Garnett carefully evokes all the conventions of the genre without expanding them.