MovieChat Forums > The Postman Always Rings Twice (1946) Discussion > So, who DID buy the life insurance polic...

So, who DID buy the life insurance policy?

posted 15 years ago by DonnaLevin
3 replies | jump to latest

When Frank first learns of the $10 thou insurance policy on Nick's life, he seems truly shocked. I guessed that Cora had taken it out, hoping that she could frame Frank for the murder, in a plotline similar to *Double Indemnity.* But when Cora first hears of it she seemed equally taken aback.
From other posts, I infer that this was explained in the book, and that in fact there was liability insurance involved as well, but I'd like to know if I missed something in the movie.

"I've loved you my whole life."
"You've only known me three days."
"That's when my life began."

[–] davisk957 15 years ago

Nick probably bought it on himself, to provide for his wife -- nothing unusual about that. He'd have been the only one with the money to pay the premium, anyway.

It was merely a plot device used by Cain to give the D.A. some ammunition to go on in pursuing his suspicions.

What was more contrived than that in the plot was the INITIAL involvement of the D.A. Since when would a D.A. be at the bedside of a roadside cafe owner after he'd fallen in the tub? No death had occurred, so why was he suspicious of the two of them to begin with?

[–] Ironman54 15 years ago

As much as I love this movie I completely agree with your point. The other part that made no sense to me and may qualify as a legit. 'Continuity/Goof' is how did the DA know to follow them on that particular road ? The husband, after Cora stops to take a left hand turn even says 'This isn't the way, this road will take us way out of the way' or similar. She replies that she wants to take the road for the scenery or something to that effect (what will they see in the dark anyhow ?). The DA was at least a ways back behind them as you didn't see his car at all - maybe inferred that he could have caught up with them as she waited to make the turn but this doesn't work either as the DA didn't arrive on the scene for quite a bit after the car went over the cliff (considering they were driving at 40 - 50 mph). In the dark, without blinkers, I don't see that he could have been anywhere close enough to them to see they took a detour - not when considering how much time it took him (the DA) to happen upon the scene. He never anticipated they had planned a staged 'crash'. Make sense ? Should this be in the
'Continuity/Goofs' section ??

[–] ih8tt 13 years ago

What was more contrived than that in the plot was the INITIAL involvement of the D.A. Since when would a D.A. be at the bedside of a roadside cafe owner after he'd fallen in the tub? No death had occurred, so why was he suspicious of the two of them to begin with?

remember that the DA lived down the road and drove/stopped by the place often, maybe he noticed the developing chemistry between Frank and Cora and then when Nick falls victim to a nearly fatal "accident," he senses there could be more to it, and he mentions later that he was 'on to them' since the bathtub incident