The Narrow Margin (1952)
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100% of critics liked it
(8 reviews) -
83% of users liked it
(1,019 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.… 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
- Directed By
- Richard Fleischer
- Written By
- Earl Felton, Martin Goldsmith
- Genres
- Drama, Mystery & Suspense, Classics
Unrated,
- In Theaters
- Jan 1, 1952 Wide
Critic Reviews
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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.
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Fernando F. Croce, CinePassion
Along with Ulmer's Detour, the ultimate noir "aesthetics of hunger" manifesto
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Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
A hard-as-nails, noir-ish thriller from the often underrated Richard Fleischer.
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Michael W. Phillips, Jr., Goatdog's Movies
One of the best B-movies I've ever seen, and deserves to be better known.
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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.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
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Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
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Cast
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Charles McGraw
as Walter Brown
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Marie Windsor
as Mrs. Neall
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Jacqueline White
as Ann Sinclair
- Gordon Gebert
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Queenie Leonard
as Mrs. Troll
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Gordon Geberl
as Tommy Sinclair
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David Clarke
as Kemp
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Peter Virgo
as Densel
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Don Beddoe
as Gus Forbes
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Paul Maxey
as Jennings
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Donald Dillaway
as Reporter
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Don Haggerty
as Detective Wilson
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Harry Harvey
as Train Conductor
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Milt Kibbee
as Tenant
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Johnny Lee
as Waiter
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Will Lee
as Newsstand Owner
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Tony Merrill
as Officer Allen
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Howard Mitchell
as Train Conductor
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Franklin Parker
as Telegraph Attendant
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George Sawava
as Reporter
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Napoleon Whiting
as Redcap
- Ivan Browning
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Michael Lally
as Taxi Driver
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Jasper Weldon
as Porter
