The Postman Always Rings Twice: Amazon.ca: Lana Turner, John Garfield, Cecil Kellaway, Tay Garnett: DVD

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Amazon.com Essential Video

Even under the heavy censorship of 1946 Hollywood, Lana Turner and John Garfield's libidinous desires burn up the screen in Tay Garnett's adaptation of James M. Cain's torrid crime melodrama. Platinum blond Turner is Cora, a restless sexpot stuck in a roadside diner married to mundane middle-aged fry cook Nick Smith (Cecil Kellaway) when handsome drifter Frank (Garfield) blows her way. It's lust at first sight, a rapacious desire that neither can break off, and before long they're plotting his demise--but in the wicked world of Cain nothing is that easy. Garnett's visual approach is subdued compared to the more expressionistic film noir of the period, but he's at no loss when he films the luminous Turner in her milky-white wardrobe. She radiates repressed sexuality and uncontrollable passion while Garfield's smart-talking loner Frank mixes street-smart swagger and scrappy toughness with vulnerability and sincere intensity. Costar Hume Cronyn cuts a cold, calculating figure as their conniving lawyer, a chilly character that only increases our feelings for the murderous couple, victims of an all consuming amour fou that drives their passions to extremes. --Sean Axmaker

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Customer Reviews

12 Reviews

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

Average Customer Review

4.2 out of 5 stars (12 customer reviews)

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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars I wouldn't say, April 21 2004

By

nom-de-nick "nom-de-nick" (United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Postman Always Rings Twice (DVD)

it's the BEST movie about lust, but it should be in the enclclopedia next to "noir." Whatta cast, whatta film, whatta fool you are if you don't buy or at least rent it!!

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5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding film, Feb 14 2012

By

Kona (Emerald City) - See all my reviews
(TOP 100 REVIEWER)

This review is from: The Postman Always Rings Twice (DVD)

Sparks ignite when drifter Frank (John Garfield) meets bombshell Cora (Lana Turner). There's no denying the attraction between them but she's married, so they begin to think of ways they can get rid of her husband and live happily ever after.

This is a memorable movie thanks to the earthy and charismatic Garfield. He's tough and vulnerable and sees Cora as his one chance to turn his life around. Turner is perfectly cast as the sultry wife; dressed almost entirely in crisp, pure white, she exudes desperation and desire. They make a sensuous couple without showing more than a kiss.

The acting is superb as is the direction. This is definitely a must-see for film history fans; it's just as effective today as it was in 1946.

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4.0 out of 5 stars Welcome to the Twin Oaks, May 19 2004

By

dantes (York, Pennsylvania) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Postman Always Rings Twice (DVD)

Postman's plot centers around drifter Frank, and his relationship with the beautiful Cora. Cora and husband, Nick, run the Twin Oaks -- a roadside service station/diner -- and Nick has hired Frank to help around the place. Cora and Nick are May/December, but there is no romance whatsover between them. The reason for their marriage is cryptically revealed during one scene, but, in the end, one never can quite figure out why they are together. Frank and Cora quickly fall for each other and desire a life together -- a desire that requires removing Nick from the picture. The urgency reaches fever pitch when Nick announces his intention to sell the diner and move Cora to nothern Canada where she will care for Nick's recently paralyzed sister, who, in Nick's words, is going to live for a long time. As other reviewers have mentioned, the DA and defense attorney stand out in this film as well-conceived characters, the defense attorney played to perfection by Hume Cronyn.

Over the years, Postman has been lauded as perhaps the quintessential piece of film noir -- an intentionally bleak genre that experienced its heyday in the forties and fifties. Although Postman is undoubtedly a precise work of film noir, it's reputation may be based as much on it's mold-shattering relationship with MGM as on its artistic merit. Released by MGM, Postman was so far out of character for the studio that MGM had to borrow John Garfield to cast the leading role. That said, one is hard pressed to envision Frank as having been played by anyone other than Garfield. The same can't be said for Lana Turner's Cora, though. Yet, while other actresses may admirably have filled Cora's sultry shoes, Turner does indeed sizzle in this role. Both Garfield and Turner play their parts to perfection -- their acting is simply terrific. Somehow, though, the chemistry between the two leaves a little something wanting. For me, this was underscored by the instant chemistry that exists between Frank/Garfield and the "other woman" he picks up at the train station during Lana/Cora's absence. That said, the little something that is wanting between Turner and Gerfield contributes, in its own way, to the bleakness of the plot.

Technically, the dvd presentation of Postman is quite good. The transfer here is not as pristine as other Warner releases and there are digital artifacts and noise noticeable in many scenes. However, they are not severe enough in effect or number to detract from the film. Although the audio on this dvd is fine, the score for Postman is really just mediocre. Heavy on suspense motifs, one is left feeling as though they've heard much of this music before. The highlight of the dvd is the Garfield documentary that Warner has included as an extra. For fans of the noir genre, and for fans of Garfield in particular, this extra transforms a good dvd into a must-own dvd.

All things considered, this is a title for confirmed noir fans, and, for them, it is highly recommended. Even if you're not a noir fan, though, Postman is a work of broader cultural significance and is well worth owning even if its the only noir on your shelf.

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Most recent customer reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Start watching and you won't be able to stop
Great black and white photography
Excellent tension between Garfield and Turner.
Great storyline.
If you start watching this film you won't be able to stop. Read more

Published on Mar 28 2004 by 10za

3.0 out of 5 stars Great movie, defective manufacturing.
Terrific film noir! I've been waiting for this movie to be released on DVD for many months. The video restoration is only fair-to-good and a movie of this caliber deserves a... Read more

Published on Feb 1 2004