Lana Turner and John Garfield scorch the screen as a pair of murderous lovers, in director Tay Garnett’s much-imitated but never-equaled dark romance, one of the high points of 1940s film noir. Based on the novel by the great James M. Cain (the title famously refers to Cain’s own postman, who would ring twice when delivering rejection notices from publishers).

A hugely popular radio personality (Lew Ayres), clearly based on the legendary Walter Winchell, uses his influence to manipulate both sides of the law while investigating a kidnapping that leads all the way to the White House. A wildly entertaining pre-Code exposé on the greasy relationship between politicians, organized crime and the burgeoning American media. Screenplay by William Anthony McGuire. Directed by Tay Garnett. NOT ON DVD