The Postman Always Rings Twice

[uttsmanager]

The film was adapted from James M Cann's novel. What's the title alluding to?

[Horse]

er, "The Postman always rings twice' by James M. Cain

[boatman]

When I saw this question I went to find my old copy of the book .. and it's GONE. Still, as I recall - it's years since I read it - the title's significance is that, just when you think you've got away with something - in this case a murder - then it all goes horrily wrong. Postmen supposedly - maybe in 1930s California, though not round these parts any more - ring the doorbell twice to make sure if anyone is at home or not, thus when you've got rid of the police, they come back just for one last question ... Something to that effect anyway, I can't quite remember the details. There were two films, I think.