Shocker in Underwear

THE POSTMAN ALWAYS RINGS TWICE-- James M. Cain--Knopf ($2). Like the Ancient Mariner, who held his unwilling listener by the power of his glittering eye, the awful compulsion of his tale, Author Cain's high-powered shocker will keep many a reader spellbound. The Postman Always Rings Twice, though it gives the impression of a stark naked love-&-murder story, is actually narrative stripped to its underwear. Author Cain's hero is as hard as any cinema villain but he obeys cinema rules, goes sappy at the end.

Frank is a young bum who has done time for vagrancy and assault but works when he has to, gambles when he can, is still more of a smart hobo than a dumb crook. At a California lunchstand and filling station he panhandles the Greek proprietor for a meal, changes his mind about moving on when he sees the Greek's wife, Cora. The Greek offers him a job. He takes it and in 24 hours Cora too. She hates her husband but has too much sense to run away with Frank. Instead, she suggests they murder the Greek. The first attempt fails, the second is successful. Then their troubles begin. Though both are acquitted of the murder they cease to trust each other, lie awake nights thinking of schemes for getting the other out of the way. Cora finally proves to Frank that she loves him. After their marriage they turn over a clean page. On the way home she is killed in a motor smash. This time they get him for murder.

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