THE NARROW MARGIN vs Narrow Margin

THE NARROW MARGIN (Blu-ray)

1952 / 72 min

Warner Archive Collection

Available at www.MovieZyng.com

Review by Mr. Paws😺

I remember renting 1990’s Narrow Margin from my local video store back in the day, mostly choosing it because it starred Gene Hackman, who had an uncanny knack for elevating anything he appeared in (well…except for maybe Superman IV). Beyond that, I knew nothing about the film, but it turned out to be a wonderful surprise. In my humble opinion, it remains an underrated thriller by an underappreciated director (Peter Hyams), with one of my personal favorite Hackman performances.

While I was vaguely aware that Narrow Margin was a remake of “an old black & white” film, young me wasn’t interested in things like that. But since those dark days, I’ve become a big fan of classic film noir, so maybe it was finally time to give the original a spin. If nothing else, it would be fun to compare the two. 

Fast paced and economically made, 1952’s The Narrow Margin features Charles McGraw as L.A. cop Walter Brown, charged with escorting a witness from Chicago to testify in a mob trial. That witness, Frankie Neall (Mary Windsor), is the bitchy widow of a murdered mob boss, and she’s in possession of a list that can incriminate many others. So naturally, she’s got a target on her head. Most of the film takes place on a passenger train, where Walter stashes Frankie in a sleeping compartment while trying to get the upper hand on those onboard trying to kill her.

"Hey, you're right. Your eyes are up there."

The plot - as well as certain scenes and situations - is more-or-less the same in both films. I’m still kinda partial to the remake, but this one isn’t without its virtues. Running a lean 72 minutes, the film wastes no time with peripheries, jumping right into the meat of the story. Though Richard Fleischer’s direction is perfunctory, he does manage to create tension here and there. McGraw’s no Hackman, to be sure, but his stoic performance is adequate for the role. Conversely, Windsor’s a real hoot as Frankie, constantly belittling the guy responsible for her safety while stealing the movie from the actor playing him. 

Additionally, this version throws in a whopper of a plot twist (regarding a major character) that I didn’t see coming. As much as I revere the remake, I do appreciate the original’s unpredictable final act. The Narrow Margin doesn’t rank up there with the best film noir of the era, but it’s pretty entertaining.

EXTRA KIBBLES

AUDIO COMMENTARY - By director Willian Friedkin, along with interview excerpts by The Narrow Margin’s director, Richard Fleischer.

SHORT SUBJECT - “So You Never Tell a Lie,” a Joe McDoakes comedy short from 1952.

CARTOON - “The Super Snooper,” featuring Daffy Duck, also from 1952

TRAILER