The Narrow Margin (1952)

100% of critics liked it
(8 reviews)
83% of users liked it
(986 ratings)

The Narrow Margin is generally considered a "model" B picture; some film buffs go farther than that, labelling this 1952 RKO suspenser as the best low-budget studio production ever made. Nail-hard detective Walter Brown (Charles McGraw) is assigned to protect gangster's widow Mrs. Neall (Marie… More The Narrow Margin is generally considered a "model" B picture; some film buffs go farther than that, labelling this 1952 RKO suspenser as the best low-budget studio production ever made. Nail-hard detective Walter Brown (Charles McGraw) is assigned to protect gangster's widow Mrs. Neall (Marie Windsor) as she rides the train from Chicago to LA, en route to testifying at a grand jury. There's no love lost between the ill-tempered Neall and Brown, especially since Brown's partner (Don Beddoe) was killed by mobsters while shielding Neall from harm. On the train, Brown makes the acquaintance of a likeable woman (Jacqueline White) and her playful young son. He also comes in contact with a rather secretive fat man (Paul Maxey), who may well be a mob assassin. Not long before the train pulls into California, Brown is approached by small-time crook (Peter Brocco), who offers the detective a great deal of money if he'll permit Neall to be silenced. Brown appears to be tempted, but this is only a smokescreen to throw the crooks off the trail. The Narrow Margin was remade (and unnecessarily padded and attenuated) in 1990. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 11 min.
Directed By: Richard Fleischer
Written By: Earl Felton, Martin Goldsmith
Genres: Drama, Mystery & Suspense, Classics

In Theaters: Jan 1, 1952 Wide
On DVD: Jul 5, 2005

Critic Reviews

Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
The cast may be B-level, but the sharp writing, taut direction, and production values of the Richard Fleischer's noir thriller (which is superior to the 1990 remake) are not.
Fernando F. Croce, CinePassion
Along with Ulmer's Detour, the ultimate noir "aesthetics of hunger" manifesto
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
A hard-as-nails, noir-ish thriller from the often underrated Richard Fleischer.
Michael W. Phillips, Jr., Goatdog's Movies
One of the best B-movies I've ever seen, and deserves to be better known.
Jeffrey M. Anderson, Combustible Celluloid
The Narrow Margin rumbles along at a good speed with a minimum of fuss, making beautiful use of its compact train locale.
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
This sleeper may very well be the best B-film ever made.

Read all 6 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Cindy I

Good film noir set entirely on and around a train. Charles McGraw plays a cop hired to transport the widow of a murdered gangster cross-country to testify before a grand jury. Also on the train are men who will do what ever is necessary to make sure she DOESN'T testify.… More
Good film noir set entirely on and around a train. Charles McGraw plays a cop hired to transport the widow of a murdered gangster cross-country to testify before a grand jury. Also on the train are men who will do what ever is necessary to make sure she DOESN'T testify. McGraw is Mr. Tough-as-Nails as always, and noir queen Marie Windsor is at her bitchiest. The setting on the train gives the whole film a claustrophobic quality that adds to the suspense. There's also a cool little twist that I didn't see coming. A definite star in the film noir universe.
Pierluigi P

I've always considered a train as an ideal geography for suspense. A claustrophobic spot where a cat-and-mouse game seems edgier than usual, and this was no exception. An intense, enormously effective thrill ride, full of great twists and occasional touches of humour.
Michael G

Not amazing, but entertaining.
Emily B

A brilliant film noir gem. The dialogue between McGraw and Windsor is brilliant. A fast, tough talking, and fun film with a great twist at the end. Well worth seeing. Walter Brown: Meaning you'd like to sell out? Mrs. Neall: With pleasure and profit, and so would you. What… More
A brilliant film noir gem. The dialogue between McGraw and Windsor is brilliant. A fast, tough talking, and fun film with a great twist at the end. Well worth seeing. Walter Brown: Meaning you'd like to sell out? Mrs. Neall: With pleasure and profit, and so would you. What are the odds if we don't? I sing my song for the grand jury, and spend the rest of my life dodging bullets - -if I'm lucky! - -while you grow old and gray on the police force. Oh, wake up, Brown. This train's headed straight for the cemetery. But there's another one coming along, a gravy train. Let's get on it. Walter Brown: Mrs. Neall, I'd like to give you the same answer I gave that hood - but it would mean stepping on your face.