The Postman Always Rings Twice

A notoriously grim tale, rife with sexual intrigue and illicit passion, James M. Cain's torrid crime novel received its first authorised screen treatment in this third adaptation - the previous being Pierre Chenal's Le Dernier Tournant (1939) and Luchino Visconti's Ossessione (1942). One of the high points of 1940’s film noir, Garnett’s smooth, steamy adaptation starred brooding John Garfield as the handsome drifter drawn into a net of murder, when he falls for luscious platinum bombshell Lana Turner at her husband's roadside diner. Even under 1946 Hollywood’s censorship, Turner and Garfield's libidinous desires burnt up the screen.

The Dark World of James M. Cain: Film Noir Revisited

Fri 10 - Thu 16 Mar

The Postman Always Rings Twice is part of The Dark World of James M. Cain: Film Noir Revisited

James M. Cain’s novels of greed, forbidden lust and murder make for perfect film noir, and this is a rare opportunity to catch some classic titles inspired by the author on the big screen.

Also part of The Dark World of James M. Cain: Film Noir Revisited:

• Double Indemnity Fri 10 - Thu 16 Mar
• Mildred Pierce Fri 10 Mar
• Ossessione Sat 11 & Sun 12 Mar
• Talk: Adapting Cain for the Cinema or How Many Ways can the Postman Ring? Sun 12 Mar
• Double Indemnity Talk Mon 13 Mar

Further information about The Dark World of James M. Cain: Film Noir Revisited