Tonight's Movie: The Narrow Margin (1952) - A Warner Archive Blu-ray Review

THE NARROW MARGIN (1952), one of my all-time favorite films, has just been released on a beautiful Blu-ray by the Warner Archive Collection.

I first saw THE NARROW MARGIN on DVD in 2009 and have seen it many more times since then, including at the 2013 TCM Classic Film Festival, with costar Jacqueline White present, and at a 2014 memorial tribute to the film's producer, Stanley Rubin. I rewatch it regularly, which is easy to do given that it's only 71 action-packed minutes.

It was a particular treat to watch the movie on this new Blu-ray, which is a superb print with excellent sound.

THE NARROW MARGIN is an RKO film which was shot in the spring of 1950 but then held back from release for close to two years, not because of its quality but because of Howard Hughes' legendary penchant for "tinkering" with the studio's movies. He even considered re-shooting it with bigger stars! Thankfully it was finally released in its original form, as it couldn't be more perfect.

The movie tells the story of Los Angeles Detective Walter Brown (Charles McGraw) who is tasked with delivering the widow (Marie Windsor) of a mobster safely from Chicago to Los Angeles to testify at a hearing.

Brown's partner (Don Beddoe) is killed before they even get on the train, which is crawling with assassins looking to take out the widow before she can spill the beans to investigators. Brown has his work cut out for him...and surprises are in store.

The excellent screenplay by Earl Felton was based on a story by Martin Goldsmith and Jack Leonard. It boasts some classic dialogue -- every film noir fan probably knows the line "strictly poison under the gravy" -- and I love offhand bits of dialogue that convey an earlier time, such as Brown sending a telegram: "Straight wire. Urgent."

It's true there are some things about Marie Windsor's character which don't quite make sense in retrospect, but I'm not going to discuss it to avoid spoilers. The movie may have been around for decades, but there are still people who will enjoy seeing it for the first time so caution is warranted.

I also especially like Jacqueline White's spunky passenger, who jokes with the detective about his nerves and has very definite ideas about how she wants to do things.

McGraw, of course, is top notch as the cynical yet hardworking detective committed to his job and his mission. He's stressed out and mourning his partner's death, yet he is also kind, including taking the time to joke around with White's energetic little boy (Gordon Gebert).

The marvelous cast also includes David Clarke, Queenie Leonard, Peter Virgo, Paul Maxey, Harry Harvey, Peter Brocco, George Chandler, and Don Haggerty.

The movie was directed by Richard Fleischer; IMDb also lists the uncredited William Cameron Menzies, best known as a production designer.

THE NARROW MARGIN was filmed in black and white by George E. Diskant. Locations included Union Station in Los Angeles, standing in for the station in Chicago, and the Santa Fe Railroad Depot in San Bernardino.

I want to note that, as I write this, Jacqueline White is still with us at the age of 103. White was about 90 when I saw her, and absolutely charming relating how she was unexpectedly cast in this film when visiting the studio lot. It was White's last movie; she retired for marriage and motherhood, having five children. Among her stories, she called McGraw "a perfect gentleman." She's seen here with Eddie Muller in a TCM press photo.

In addition to seeing White in person in 2013, I've also been fortunate to see Gordon Gebert, who played White's son Tommy, in person at the 2015 Arthur Lyons Film Noir Festival.

Gebert recalled Charles McGraw as a "very funny guy" and especially remembered crew members rocking the train back and forth to simulate movement.

Blu-ray extras include the trailer; an 11-minute Joe McDoakes short, SO YOU NEVER TELL A LIE (1952); the cartoon THE SUPER SNOOPER (1952); and an archival commentary by William Friedkin, incorporating clips by Richard Fleischer.

Both THE NARROW MARGIN and this Blu-ray are very highly recommended.

Thanks to the Warner Archive for providing a review copy of this Blu-ray. Warner Archive Blu-rays may be ordered from Movie Zyng, Amazon, and other online retailers.

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