Home
search
more | tips
IMDb > The Postman Always Rings Twice (1981)
The Postman Always Rings Twice
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotes
Overview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv schedule
Awards & Reviews
user commentsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage board
Plot & Quotes
plot summaryplot synopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotes
Fun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQ
Other Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDesk
Promotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo gallery
External Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clips

The Postman Always Rings Twice (1981) More at IMDbPro »

Photos (see all 17 | slideshow) Videos
The Postman Always Rings Twice (1981) -- The sensuous wife of a lunch wagon proprietor and a rootless drifter begin a sordidly steamy affair and conspire to murder her Greek husband.

Overview

User Rating:
6.4/10   5,890 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Up 6% in popularity this week. See rank & trends on IMDbPro.
Director:
Bob Rafelson
Writers:
James M. Cain (novel)
David Mamet (screenplay)
Contact:
View company contact information for The Postman Always Rings Twice on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
20 March 1981 (USA) more
Tagline:
You Will Feel The Heat. more
Plot:
The sensuous wife of a lunch wagon proprietor and a rootless drifter begin a sordidly steamy affair and conspire to murder her Greek husband. full summary | add synopsis
Plot Keywords:
more
Awards:
1 nomination more
User Comments:
ring...ring more

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Jack Nicholson ... Frank Chambers

Jessica Lange ... Cora Papadakis
John Colicos ... Nick Papadakis

Michael Lerner ... Mr. Katz
John P. Ryan ... Kennedy

Anjelica Huston ... Madge
William Traylor ... Sackett
Thomas Hill ... Barlow (as Tom Hill)

Jon Van Ness ... Motorcycle Cop
Brian Farrell ... Mortenson
Raleigh Bond ... Insurance Salesman
William Newman ... Man from Home Town
Albert Henderson ... Art Beeman
Ken Magee ... Scoutmaster
Eugene Peterson ... Doctor
more
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

Also Known As:
Wenn der Postmann zweimal klingelt (West Germany)
more
Runtime:
122 min
Country:
USA | West Germany
Language:
English
Color:
Color (Metrocolor)
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Mono

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
Meryl Streep rejected the part of Cora. more
Goofs:
Anachronisms: When Cora walks to the door of the café after coming back from her mother's (1:38:25), her zipper and zipper pull show. What we see is an "invisible" zipper which were not invented until the early 1960s. more
Quotes:
Sackett: Spit on the sidewalk and you'll die in jail! more
Movie Connections:
Referenced in Lost Kubrick: The Unfinished Films of Stanley Kubrick (2007) (V) more

FAQ

What happens at the end?
more
1 out of 3 people found the following comment useful:-
ring...ring, 10 March 2006
8/10
Author: Lee Eisenberg (eisenberg.lee@gmail.com) from Portland, Oregon, USA

Whereas previous versions of this movie had to follow strict censorship rules, this one didn't have to, so you'd better believe that they went all out. When 1930s drifter Frank Chambers (Jack Nicholson) decides to stay at a hotel, he falls for lusty co-owner Cora Papadakis (Jessica Lange). But since she's married, their relationship can only progress if something "happens" to her husband Nick (John Colicos).

Bob Rafelson had previously directed Nicholson in the masterpiece "Five Easy Pieces" and the slightly more subdued "King of Marvin Gardens" (they collaborated on even more movies after this one). But here - like I said - they go all out. We might interpret the movie as looking at the role of women in our society...or maybe it's totally up to interpretation. But let me tell you: you're not likely to come away from "The Postman Always Rings Twice" neutral. Also starring Anjelica Huston, Michael Lerner, and Christopher Lloyd.

Was the above comment useful to you?
more

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for The Postman Always Rings Twice (1981)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
CHUCK LIDDELL?!?! bus3653
exactly, what's the title about? Leopold-4
Question - Insurance policy runman4
Anjelica Huston dramagirl13
UK DVD Release? tjbristol06
Intense sexual scene between Jack and Jessica! Jurisprudence
more

Recommendations

If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
- - - - -
The Postman Always Rings Twice Fatal Attraction Presumed Innocent Basic Instinct Body Double
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
Show more recommendations

Related Links

Full cast and crew Company credits External reviews
News articles IMDb Crime section IMDb USA section
Add this title to MyMovies

You may report errors and omissions on this page to the IMDb database managers. They will be examined and if approved will be included in a future update. Clicking the 'Update' button will take you through a step-by-step process.