>U-Turn is the latest variant on the basic story of The Postman Always Rings
>Twice.  Does anybody know if Postman is more or less the origin of this
>drifter meets doublecrossing couple plot?  (I mean the book since none of
>the film versions are anywhere near as good.)
>
Actually, one version is quite good - Visconti's "Ossessione," which he
made in 1942.  Jean Renoir gave him a copy of the novel when Visconti
worked as an assistant on Renoir's "Toni."  both films are considered part
of the foundation of 'neorealismo.'  As for your "U-Turn" question, I don't
know yet - I thought I had a press pack laying around here, but it's not in
any of the obvious places.  If I find it soon I can maybe give you Columbia
Tri-Mark's party line as to origins.
                                                Stephen Brophy
                                                Cambridge, Mass.
 
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