The Narrow Margin (1952)

Director:

Richard Fleischer

Writers:

Earl Felton (screenplay)
Martin Goldsmith (story) ...

Release Date:

4 May 1952 (USA)

Genre:

Crime | Film-Noir | Drama

Tagline:

'THAT BULLET'S MEANT FOR ME!" - Suspense every speeding second aboard a stream-lined limited...as syndicate killers seek to find and silence mystery woman headed for the Grand Jury!

Plot:

A woman planning to testify against the mob must be protected against their assassins on the train trip from Chicago to Los Angeles.

Plot Keywords:

Train | Partner | Search | Police Badge | Transportation

Awards:

Nominated for Oscar.

Cast

Charles McGraw	...	Det. Sgt. Walter Brown
Marie Windsor	...	Mrs. Frankie Neall
Jacqueline White	...	Ann Sinclair
Gordon Gebert	...	Tommy Sinclair
Queenie Leonard	...	Mrs. Troll
David Clarke	...	Joseph Kemp
Peter Virgo	...	Densel
Don Beddoe	...	Det. Sgt. Gus Forbes
Paul Maxey	...	Sam Jennings
Harry Harvey	...	Train conductor

Also Known As:

The Target (USA) (working title)

Runtime:

71 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound System)

Certification:

Australia:PG | Norway:16 | Finland:K-16 | Spain:13 | Sweden:15 | UK:PG | USA:Approved (PCA #14631)

Filming Locations:

Santa Fe Railroad Depot - 1170 W. 3rd Street, San Bernardino, California, USA

Company:

RKO Radio Pictures

Trivia:

The film was shot in 13 days and the only part actually filmed on board a train was a few seconds of the arrival in Los Angeles.

Goofs:

Errors made by characters (possibly deliberate errors by the filmmakers): When the character of nine year old Tommy Sinclair (Gordon Gerbert) first appears, his traveling nurse clearly calls him "Tony". For the rest of the film he's called "Tommy", the character's official name.

Quotes:

Joseph Kemp: Why don't ya get wise to yourself and give her a break? What's the use of makin' that kid an orphan? Or maybe you like trouble.
Joseph Kemp: Give us the list and nobody gets hurt - no grief, no mess.
Walter Brown: Except for Mrs. Neil, who gets double-crossed ten minutes later. What do ya take me for, a jumbo-sized sucker?

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Kindergarten Cop (1990)

Perfectly written, taut edgy Film Noir!

This is a fast paced and edgy film noir which could be used as a perfect example of the style. Crisp dialogue, hard characters and sarcastic humor blend perfectly to create a wonderful movie that is over before you know it. This film is really a lost treasure.