Watch The Narrow Margin

The Narrow Margin is a classic film noir from 1952, directed by Richard Fleischer and written by Earl Felton. The movie stars Charles McGraw, Marie Windsor, and Jacqueline White in the lead roles. The film was highly acclaimed upon release and is still considered one of the best examples of film noir. The story begins with a tough Los Angeles detective named Walter Brown (Charles McGraw) assigned to escort a mobster's widow, Mrs. Frankie Neall (Marie Windsor), by train from Chicago to Los Angeles. She is expected to testify against the murderer of her husband, who was a key figure in the organized crime world. Brown is initially reluctant to take on the job due to the danger involved, but reluctantly accepts the assignment.

As he boards the train, Brown realizes that his task is far from easy as he discovers that Mrs. Neall is being hunted by a hitman who is determined to kill her before she can reach her destination. The detective must keep his charge safe while avoiding detection by both the hitman and the criminal organization that wants her dead.

The situation becomes more complicated when Brown realizes that Mrs. Neall is not alone; she is traveling with her young friend Ann Sinclair (Jacqueline White). Brown has to contend with two women and his own growing feelings for Sinclair, a romance that could potentially compromise his mission to protect Mrs. Neall.

The tension in the movie is palpable as the hitman's attempts to kill Mrs. Neall become more frequent and inventive with each passing moment. The killer's initial attempts to take her out are foiled by Brown, but the stakes get higher as the journey progresses. One particularly harrowing moment involves the hitman gaining access to the train's cabin and holding a gun to Mrs. Neall's head, forcing Brown to find a way to disarm the killer without putting his charge in further danger.

The Narrow Margin skillfully captures the battle of wits between Brown and the hitman, with both men trying to outsmart the other. The plot takes a few unexpected twists and turns, keeping the audience on the edge of their seats until the very end. The movie also features impressive cinematography, with the claustrophobic train setting adding to the tension and the use of lighting creating a palpable sense of danger.

The performances by the lead actors are excellent, particularly Charles McGraw's portrayal of the hard-edged detective, Walter Brown. Marie Windsor and Jacqueline White both do a fine job as the women caught in the middle, with Windsor playing the hardened and cynical Neall and White portraying the innocent and vulnerable Sinclair. The supporting cast also delivers solid performances, with many recognizable character actors in small roles.

Overall, The Narrow Margin is a classic movie that showcases the best of film noir. It is a tense and thrilling story of danger and romance that is well worth revisiting for fans of the genre or anyone who enjoys a good thriller. The movie was a critical and commercial success upon release and has stood the test of time as a classic example of film noir that continues to be enjoyed by audiences today.

The Narrow Margin is a 1952 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 11 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.6.