The Narrow Margin
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Movie Reviews of The Narrow Margin
Movie Review: Thrills by a Wide Margin
Summary: 4 Stars
Aside from this being a great thriller this film sports a great lead performance by Charles McGraw as Walter Brown, raspy-voiced world weary L.A. gumshoe who's seen it all (so he thinks) but clings to his integrity. He reluctantly takes on his most recent thankless assignment of escorting a mobster's widow(Marie Windsor) to spill the beans to a grand jury on a train from L.A. to Chicago. Windsor was a pro at playing these hard-bitten types to perfection and this film is no exception. Another film that Windsor played this character type is in Stanley Kubrick's "The Killing" which is well worth checking out. Brown has many obstacles aboard the train aside from the hired guns roaming the aisles namely an obtrusive fat man and a comely single mother(Jacqueline White) with her rambunctious son and nanny in tow. The setting is claustrophobic which intensifies the action on screen. Kudos to director Richard Fleischer for juggling all these strands to make for a satisfying experience. And in an economical 71 minutes to boot!Movie Review: Strangers on a Train
Summary: 4 Stars
This shows what a director (Richard Fleischer in 1952) with a clever script can do with no money, no name actors, not enough time, and thus no chance to score at the box office. What a surprise! "The Narrow Margin," with its unguessable twists, hurtling pace and crackling dialogue, was an unexpected hit with critics and audiences. As its DVD release confirms, it is one of the few film noir classics that has earned cult status not with a starry cast or studio promotion but by virtue of its content and execution.
A cop (Charles McGraw) is taking a gangster's widow (Marie Windsor) by train to testify against the mob, whose minions are also aboard; they want to kill her if only they could identify her. That's the set-up, but in film noir nothing is what it seems, and there are several jaw-dropping surprises. To reveal them, as has at least one reviewer here, is deplorable. Pay no mind. Viewing "The Narrow Margin" is still an entertainment bargain. A movies don't come disguised as B movies every day.
Movie Review: Gripping
Summary: 4 Stars
I've been looking for this film for a number of years in DVD and was finally able to get it along with four other Noir classics in volume 2 of boxed Noir classics. I recommend picking up both volumes if you enjoy and collect films of this period.
Richard Fleischer's 1952 classic is a late entry in the genre however it has all the best elements of noir. Charles McGraw and the beautiful and sultry Marie Windsor, head-up a cast of capable B-movie actors. The b-w print transfer to dvd retains the rich darks and shadows that give noir films their visual appeal. The action and dialogue is taut and crisp. The plot twist and turns as the train winds its way from Chicago to LA will keep you glued throughout the film's economic 71 minute run time. I recommend you treat yourself to filmmaking as it should be done and purchase this dvd.
Movie Review: Twists and Turns
Summary: 4 Stars
I just viewed this film and was pleasantly surprised. I am not an avid fan of film noir, but after seeing this gem, I wish to delve into the genre further. The movie is akin to Hitchcock's "The Lady Vanishes", but exceeds it with grim tone and lighting. The characters are brassy and fun and make for engaging entertainment. The movie will keep you guessing until the very end and is highlighted by deft camerawork and tight angles. The confines of shooting aboard a train (or sets that resemble one) give a claustrophobic feel to the film. This uneasiness carries over to the viewer, making for an edge-of-your-seat enjoyment! Remade in 1990 with starrer Gene Hackman.Movie Review: Film Noir Meets Midnight Run
Summary: 3 Stars
The Narrow Margin is the film noir Midnight Run, in which LA cops travel to Chicago to pick up and transport a key witness back to LA for the trial of a gangland kingpin. The key witness just happens to be the gangster's girlfriend. The story opens with the two LA cops arriving in Chicago to pick up the witness, and while moving her to their waiting cab, the cops are attacked and one is killed. This sets the stage for the cat and mouse story that follows. 99% of the action in the Narrow Margin takes place on the train during the return trip to LA. Some of the action is predictable ... there are bad guys on the train trying to terminate the witness while the cop tries to deflect their attention ... but who cares, it's a good story. I loved seeing the interior shots of the dining car, sleepers, club car ... I wish that kind of train travel were still available today .... I'd never fly anywhere, I'd take the train.
There are a couple of interesting plot twists (which I won't reveal here so you can enjoy 'em for yourself) and although they're telegraphed earlier in the plot, you'll enjoy 'em anyway. The film's pacing slows down a bit toward the middle of the story, then picks up again as the story winds down to what feels like a "quick" ending. Casting Charles McGraw as the lead cop and Marie Windsor as the gangster's moll is convincing, and they both do a very good job of becoming their characters. The supporting cast is also well thought out and well done, and the locations, lighting, costuming, and music are all excellent in the film noir tradition.
The Narrow Margin is presented in its original 4:3 theatrical release format, the overall quality of the transfer is excellent, and I no nits to pick there. Only minimal "extras" ... commentary, audio interview, theatrical trailer, and English, French, Spanish subtitles ... boarded this DVD trip. I love watching these old film noir thrillers, and IMHO Turner Entertainment is doing an outstanding job in releasing more and more of these films each year. If you're a fan of old B/W film noir thrillers like me, The Narrow Margin is worth 71 minutes of your time.