Revisiting those classic "film noirs", the corruption of sex and morality!!

"Film Noir" is typically used to refer to a special style of crime films, especially those emphasizing ambiguous moral lines and themes driven by sexual motives. These films often focus on the corruption of sex and morality. It is generally believed that strict Film Noir should be black-and-white films produced by Hollywood between 1940 and 1958. Some people also categorize a few European films or color films as Film Noir. Films with Film Noir styles made after the 1960s are called Neo-Noir. Below, we present you with a list of 12 classic Film Noirs.

**12. The Postman Always Rings Twice (1946)**

Director: Tay Garnett

Screenplay: Harry Ruskin/Niven Busch

Starring: Lana Turner/John Garfield/Cecil Kellaway/Hume Cronyn/Leon Ames

Genre: Drama/Film Noir/Crime/Thriller

Production Country/Region: USA

Release Date: May 2, 1946

Running Time: 113 minutes

Plot Summary: *The Postman Always Rings Twice* is a novel written by American author James M. Cain in 1934. Frank Chambers, a drifter just out of prison, is hired by gas station owner Nick Papadakis. Frank lusts after Nick's sexy and beautiful wife Cora, and they become lovers. Their plan to run away together fails, so they conspire to murder Nick. The first attempt in the shower goes awry, but the second attempt on the road succeeds. Afterward, the adulterous couple manages to evade prosecution but cannot escape the retribution of a fatal car crash.

Noir Elements: "The postman" symbolizes God or fate, delivering Frank's own death as punishment for murdering Nick. Although Frank evades legal consequences the first time, missing the first ring of the bell, the postman (fate) will always ring again — this time signaling death. Frank is eventually charged with killing Cora and sentenced to death.

Next page: More classic Film Noir recommendations.