Search - The Postman Always Rings Twice on DVD

MPAA Rating: NR Content Advisory: Violence, Not For Children Movie Release: 1946 DVD Release: 01/06/2004 Format: DVD - Black and White - Closed Captioned Edition: Dual Layered Audio Tracks: English, French Subtitles: English, French, Spanish SwapaDVD Credits: 1 Number of Discs: 1 Run Time: 1 hrs 53 mins Studio: Warner Home Video Members Wishing: 9 Genres: Crime, Film Noir, Crime Drama

James M. Cain's novel received its first authorized screen treatment in this MGM production. Drifter Frank Chambers (John Garfield) takes a job at a roadhouse run by slovenly but likeable Nick Smith (Cecil Kellaway). Nick's sexy young wife Cora (Lana Turner) takes an immediate liking to Frank, but he senses that she's trouble and he keeps his distance--for a while, anyway. Inevitably succumbing to Cora's tawdry charms, Frank enters into her scheme to murder Nick and claim the old boy's insurance money. Not long after committing the foul deed, Frank and Cora are arrested. Thanks to the conniving of slimy attorney Arthur Keats (Hume Cronyn), the illicit lovers are able to beat the murder rap--but, as the film's title symbolically indicates, they eventually pay for their misdeeds in an unexpected manner. Fans of the James M. Cain original--not to mention Cain himself--were aghast at the changes made in the novel by screenwriters Harry Ruskin and Niven Busch; many of the alterations were made to conform with censorship standards of the era, while others simply existed to massage the egos of the stars. Even so, the 1946 version of The Postman Always Rings Twice is infinitely more satisfying than the no-holds-barred 1981 remake, directed by Bob Rafelson with Jack Nicholson and Jessica Lange. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Lana Turner - Cora Smith
John Garfield - Frank Chambers
Cecil Kellaway - Nick Smith
Hume Cronyn - Arthur Keats
Audrey Totter - Madge Gorland

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. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide