Postman Always Rings Twice Film Adaptations James

¶ … Postman Always Rings Twice" Film Adaptations

James M. Cain wrote a book called The Postman Always Rings Twice in 1934 that has been regarded as one of the first novels of its genre. It can be seen as true crime because there were similar cases around the same time, or it might be one of the first in the noire category. However, people categorize the novel, it spawned several movie version of which the 1946 and 1981 takes are the most famous. Cain wrote a piece of literature that was singular for its time, but the films can be said to have had elements that were regarded in the same way. However, the two films, being from different times, were very different. This paper looks at how the characters and the film's beginnings and endings differed from version to version.

Films made during the period of the first adaptation in 1946 were more whimsical and light even if their subject matter was harsh as can be seen in the opening music (Postman 1946). The book had already been banned in some areas of the country, but the makers of the film wanted their version to be tame enough that it would be allowed to play everywhere. This version became a classic as one of the best of the film noire types.

The 1981 version of the film was a chance for a director to remake a film in the image he thought it should have been originally. He wanted the characters to be portrayed in the harsh light that he believed Cain originally intended. Thus, this film is most noted for the violent sex scenes it contains between two characters who are viewed as equally depraved.

The characters were introduced in very different manners. Even though both men arrived at a diner needing work in the films, Frank and Nick were convivial chums in the 1946 version, whereas Frank and Nick seemed to have an adversarial relationship from the first in the 1981 version. Lana Turner came on the scene as a vision who was dressed more for a night out on the town in Hollywood, than as the wife of a small town diner owner. Jessica Lange looked the part because which was accomplished through lighting, wardrobe and makeup. Garfield (1946) was instantly smitten, while Nicholson (1981) seemed to have the same initial reaction to Lange as he did to her screen husband.