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IMDbPro

James M. Cain(1892-1977)

  • Writer
  • Additional Crew
IMDbProStarmeterSee rank
James M. Cain
James M. Cain was a 'Film Noir' author. His father was a professor, and president, of 'Washington College'. His mother was an opera singer in Maryland.

James graduated from the same college in 1910, and became a writer for 'Baltimore American', then 'Baltimore Sun' [still being published] by 1914. He was drafted in 1916, and spent 1918 in France as a writer for the 'Army Times'. When released, he did writing for various publications, and by 1934, his first novel,"The Postman Always Rings Twice", was published. Of Course, a very popular movie in 1946.

With adaptations of his novels[credit only as 'story contributor'],he was much in demand in the 40's in the 'Film Noir' category. But, in 1946, he formed a 'Cain Plan' ["American Authors' Authority"]whereby The writers would have authority of copyrights, and be the representative for them in negotiations with the movie producers and court disputes. Resembling 'S.A.G.', it was opposed by an org. called, "The American Writers' Assoc.". There was a debate carried on in the 'Saturday Review'.

He was married 4 times.
BornJuly 1, 1892
DiedOctober 27, 1977(85)
BornJuly 1, 1892
DiedOctober 27, 1977(85)
IMDbProStarmeterSee rank

Known for

Edward G. Robinson, Barbara Stanwyck, and Fred MacMurray in Double Indemnity (1944)
Double Indemnity
8.3
  • Writer
  • 1944
Jack Nicholson and Jessica Lange in The Postman Always Rings Twice (1981)
The Postman Always Rings Twice
6.6
  • Writer
  • 1981
Eve Arden, Joan Crawford, Ann Blyth, Bruce Bennett, and Zachary Scott in Mildred Pierce (1945)
Mildred Pierce
7.9
  • Writer
  • 1945
Lana Turner and John Garfield in The Postman Always Rings Twice (1946)
The Postman Always Rings Twice
7.4
  • Writer
  • 1946

Credits

IMDbPro

Writer



  • Cineficción Radio (2019)
    Cineficción Radio
    3.2
    Podcast Series
    • novel "The Postman Always Rings Twice"
    • 2021
  • Kate Winslet in Mildred Pierce (2011)
    Mildred Pierce
    7.6
    TV Mini Series
    • novel
    • 2011
  • Eman Manan, Khalid Salleh, and Betty Banafe in Buai Laju-Laju (2004)
    Buai Laju-Laju
    7.0
    • novel "The Postman Always Rings Twice" (uncredited)
    • 2004
  • Ildikó Bánsági and Djoko Rosic in Passion (1998)
    Passion
    7.3
    • novel "The Postman Always Rings Twice"
    • 1998
  • Erika Eleniak and William McNamara in Girl in the Cadillac (1995)
    Girl in the Cadillac
    5.0
    • novel "The Enchanted Isle"
    • 1995
  • Puissance de la parole (1988)
    Puissance de la parole
    5.9
    Short
    • excerpts from the novel "The Postman Always Rings Twice" (uncredited)
    • 1988
  • Pia Zadora in Butterfly (1981)
    Butterfly
    4.7
    • novel
    • 1981
  • Jack Nicholson and Jessica Lange in The Postman Always Rings Twice (1981)
    The Postman Always Rings Twice
    6.6
    • based on the novel by
    • 1981
  • Double Indemnity (1973)
    Double Indemnity
    4.6
    TV Movie
    • novel "Double Indemnity in Three of a Kind"
    • 1973
  • Oskar Werner in Interlude (1968)
    Interlude
    6.4
    • Writer (1957 screenplay, uncredited)
    • 1968
  • Yu hai qing mo (1967)
    Yu hai qing mo
    5.6
    • from a novel by
    • 1967
  • Kraft Mystery Theater (1961)
    Kraft Mystery Theater
    7.8
    TV Series
    • novel "Double Indemnity" (uncredited)
    • 1963
  • ITV Play of the Week (1955)
    ITV Play of the Week
    6.6
    TV Series
    • novel "Double Indemnity in Three of a Kind"
    • 1960
  • Konto ausgeglichen (1959)
    Konto ausgeglichen
    7.2
    TV Movie
    • novel "The Embezzler"
    • 1959
  • Teledrama
    TV Series
    • novel
    • 1957

Additional Crew



  • Jeffrey Lynn and Brenda Marshall in Money and the Woman (1940)
    Money and the Woman
    6.4
    • screenplay construction contributor (uncredited)
    • 1940

Personal details

  • Born
    • July 1, 1892
    • Annapolis, Maryland, USA
  • Died
    • October 27, 1977
    • University Park, Maryland, USA(undisclosed)
  • Spouses
      Florence MacbethSeptember 19, 1947 - May 5, 1966 (her death)
  • Other works
    Story: "The Baby in the Ice-Box" (filmed as She Made Her Bed (1934))
  • Publicity listings
    • 2 Print Biographies
    • 8 Articles

Did you know

  • Trivia
    Biography/bibliography in: "Contemporary Authors". New Revision Series, volume 61, pg. 125-130. Detroit, MI: Gale Research, 1998.
  • Quotes
    Love with Joan Crawford might be a strenuous business, perhaps a little difficult at times. But well worth the run.

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