Raising Cain with the censors, again: The Postman Always Rings Twice (1946)

Wilson worked with writers Harry Ruskin and Niven Busch to adapt the screenplay. MGM and the PCA exchanged numerous letters and script revisions through May 1945, when Breen finally approved changes and production began.10 PCA endorsement of The Postman Always Rings Twice was a milestone. According to Leff and Simmons, the film's steamy preview photos in Life had driven director Tay Garnett to drink, and Breen to issue a warning to Wilson regarding the studio's racy publicity (Leff and Simmons, 133).

An August 20, 1945, Life magazine article, "Love at Laguna Beach: Lana Turner and John Garfield sizzle sands in making 'The Postman Always Rings Twice,"' stated that MGM bought Cain's "tough novel of adultery and murder" in 1934 but thought it was "too hot to handle" and "did not dare make it into a movie. Times changed, however, and so did MGM's mind." Citing MGM's decision to "go ahead" with production of Cain's "hot story," Life announced that the studio was "giving it everything, including a sizzling beach scene" where Turner, "wearing a white bathing suit which may become historic, tests the true love" of Garfield who "helped murder her husband." ("Love at Laguna Beach. " 122-124) Several suggestive beach photos of the couple accompanied the piece.

The Life item mortified Reverend H. Parr Armstrong of the Oklahoma City Council of Churches.11 Yet, did Breen shudder at this potentially scandalous publicity for a film? Actually, he defended MGM's production of Cain's story to national religious organizations. In fact, on September 19, 1945, Breen wrote to Dr. Samuel McCrea Cavert of the Federal Council of Churches of Christ in America:

We believe the finished picture will not be offensive to anyone. It is a psychological study of two murderers who seek to cheat justice, but who fail in the attempt. I need not tell you that Metro, in its screen production, has made many drastic changes in the story as told in the novel. I am certain that, while the film story is "strong meat," it will be an acceptable picture for adults.12

What had happened during the war that enabled Breen to support a film he had previously banned for nearly a decade? Was the PCA censor just saving face? Several savvy production and marketing strategies may have potentially accounted for Breen's "about face" in support of the MGM project.

Production and Marketing Strategies

Carey Wilson was quoted as calling The Postman Always Rings Twice a "Study in White." In a 1946 publicity interview, Wilson highlights "Miss Turner's charms," explaining, "Except for one costume, everything she wears is white . . . In one scene she wears a bra and shorts. And I'm afraid Miss Turner's legs are very, very nice."13 (Actually, there are several black costumes-strategically positioned for dramatic femme fatale effect.) Cain explained in an interview that MGM writer Harry Ruskin diffused the erotic steam of his story by clothing Lana Turner in scores of white costumes to suggest purity.14 (and obviously appease the PCA.) However, there was theory, and there was practice. As evident in the film's suggestive beach promotion, white could still blaze in the form of Turner's two-piece bathing suit. , and did not necessarily imply demure.