The Postman Always Rings Twice

Released May 2, 1946

1 hr. 53 min.

Crime

Drama

List

89%

28 Reviews

Tomatometer

79%

5,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

Nick Smith (Cecil Kellaway), a middle-aged roadside diner owner, hires a drifter, Frank Chambers (John Garfield), to work at his restaurant. Frank quickly begins an affair with Nick's beautiful young wife, Cora (Lana Turner), and the two conspire to kill Nick and seize his assets. When they succeed, local prosecutor Kyle Sackett (Leon Ames) becomes suspicious, but is unable to build a solid case. However, the couple soon realizes that no misdeed ever goes truly unpunished.

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Critics Consensus

The Postman Always Rings Twice spins a sultry web of mystery with a gripping adaptation of a classic noir tale.

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Steve D

Well, it is better than the remake at least.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

03/27/24

Full Review

Bob W

First half of the film is excellent drama - building the characters, relationships between characters, and motivations. But the second half is tedious, and the plot gimmicks become tenuous.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

11/08/23

Full Review

Sara A

Lana Turner and John Garfield plan the murder of her old husband. The first try fails. The second try works, but they are arrested. Turner is convicted of manslaughter and let off. She and Garfield get $10,000 insurance money and begin making Twin Oaks better.They marry. They have a car wreck, and she is killed. He's convicted. James Cain wrote the story. The Tay Garnett's directing and the screenplay are the foundation along with the star chemistry that take this out of the ordinary. Lana Turner is an exceptional beauty. Her entrance takes Garfield's breath away. That scene is unforgettable. Hume Cronym the lawyer is another reason this film is exceptional. Black and white raises the tension. Audrey Totter adds another level of interest. The Los Angeles of those days is another element that raises interest. The clothes. hair, swimsuit, cars, and trucks make that entire era come alive. The plot matters less and less, because this film captures a time so perfectly. This film is better than Cain's book. Even the motorcycle the cop rides is so interesting. The meat market in Los Angeles is a moment in history. I think the old husband adds another likeable character. He sings and plays his guitar: I'm not much to look at...but I've got someone who's crazy for me. Poor guy. After I read Cain's story I realized a film's screenplay can take a book to a higher level. All great films have a top screenplay. There is nothing without a great script.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/17/23

Full Review

CodyZamboni

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.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

07/25/23

Full Review

Diane L

I liked it. Good acting.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/03/22

Full Review

Russ G

Male members of the film's original theatre audience at least got their two-bits' worth eyeing the always glamorous Ms. Turner, but aside from that there's little to recommend here. I don't know why this movie is often held up as a Gem of the Film Noir genre; the plot is weak, the "twists" worse. In the end Crime Doesn't Pay, courtesy of the production code.

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

09/25/22

Full Review

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Tay Garnett

Director

Lana Turner

Cora Smith

John Garfield

Frank Chambers

Cecil Kellaway

Nick Smith

Hume Cronyn

Arthur Keats

Audrey Totter

Madge Gorland

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Variety Staff

Variety

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.

Mar 26, 2009

Full Review

Nell Minow

Movie Mom

Rated: 5/5

Jul 16, 2004

Full Review

Dave Giannini

InSession Film

In this film, Turner plays the femme fatale, but there is subtlety to her performance that is hard to match.

Feb 20, 2024

Full Review

Jack Moffitt

Esquire Magazine

You sympathize with this unfortunate couple -- although they're murderers. That's why The Postman is a greater picture than Mr. Cain's previous hit, Double Indemnity.

Oct 7, 2020

Full Review

Mike Massie

Gone With The Twins

Just when viewers might think the picture is drawing to a close, things become more complex, while additional characters pop up and minor roles return for legal intricacies.

Rated: 7/10

Aug 14, 2020

Full Review

Yasser Medina

Cinefilia

It is, in my opinion, a very irregular film noir. [Full review in Spanish]

Rated: 6/10

Jul 18, 2020

Full Review

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Synopsis

Nick Smith (Cecil Kellaway), a middle-aged roadside diner owner, hires a drifter, Frank Chambers (John Garfield), to work at his restaurant. Frank quickly begins an affair with Nick's beautiful young wife, Cora (Lana Turner), and the two conspire to kill Nick and seize his assets. When they succeed, local prosecutor Kyle Sackett (Leon Ames) becomes suspicious, but is unable to build a solid case. However, the couple soon realizes that no misdeed ever goes truly unpunished.

Director: Tay Garnett
Screenwriter: Harry Ruskin, Niven Busch
Distributor: Warner Home Vídeo, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Production Co: Metro Goldwyn Mayer
Genre: Crime, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): May 2, 1946, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Oct 2, 2016
Sound Mix: Mono

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