The Narrow Margin (1952)
- Starring:
- Charles McGraw, Marie Windsor, (more)
- Director(s):
- Richard Fleischer
- Theatrical MPAA Rating:
- NR
- Format(s):
- DVD
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Synopsis of The Narrow Margin
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
- Theatrical Feature Running Time:
- 71 mins
Complete Cast of The Narrow Margin
- Charles McGraw - Walter Brown
- Jacqueline White - Ann Sinclair
- Queenie Leonard - Mrs. Troll
- Peter Virgo - Densel
- Paul Maxey - Jennings
- Napoleon Whiting - Redcap
- Tony Merrill - Officer Allen
- Harry Harvey - Train Conductor
- Michael Lally - Taxi Driver
- Milt Kibbee - Tenant
- Franklin Parker - Telegraph Attendant
- Marie Windsor - Mrs. Neall
- Gordon Geberl - Tommy Sinclair
- David Clarke - Kemp
- Don Beddoe - Gus Forbes
- George Sawava - Reporter
- Don Haggerty - Detective Wilson
- Will Lee - Newsstand Owner
- Donald Dillaway - Reporter
- Jasper Weldon - Porter
- Johnny Lee - Waiter
- Howard Mitchell - Train Conductor
- Director(s):
- Richard Fleischer
- Writer(s):
- Martin G. Goldsmith, Earl Felton, Jack Leonard
- Producer(s):
- Stanley Crea Rubin
- Theatrical MPAA Rating:
- NR(Violence, Questionable for Children)
- Categories:
- Mystery & Suspense
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