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The Narrow Margin Overview:

The Narrow Margin (1952) was a Crime - Film Noir Film directed by Richard Fleischer and produced by Stanley Rubin.

Academy Awards 1952 --- Ceremony Number 25 (source: AMPAS)

AwardRecipientResult
Best WritingMartin Goldsmith, Jack LeonardNominated
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The Narrow Margin BlogHub Articles:

DEATH IN A CLOSET: MARIE WINDSOR IN THE NARROW MARGIN (1952)

By Terry on Apr 16, 2019 From Stardust and Shadows

The single light bulb of interrogation now shines on Marie Windsor as Mrs. Frankie Neall in the model B classic picture  THE NARROW MARGIN (1952).  The  subject is the  Femme  Fatale.  The term Femme Fatale is defined loosely as “a mysterious and seductive woman whose charms ensnare her ... Read full article

The Narrow Margin (1952)

By 4 Star Film Fan on Nov 22, 2018 From 4 Star Films

The Narrow Margin is comprised of tight and lean drama where every bit of film is used judiciously. This should rightfully earn it respect as one of the preeminent shoestring budget films of all time within any genre. Because it’s easy to admire films that do a fine job with a plethora of res... Read full article

Day 12 of Noirvember: See it on TCM — The Narrow Margin (1952)

By shadowsandsatin on Nov 13, 2016 From Shadows and Satin

Don’t miss The Narrow Margin. The other day, when I listed the films noirs that I watch over and over, I forgot one. The Narrow Margin. (Well, I actually forgot more than one, but that’s another story for another day.) This first-rate feature stars two of noir’s baddest bad-asses – Charl... Read full article

Classic Films in Focus: THE NARROW MARGIN (1952)

By Jennifer Garlen on Sep 1, 2014 From Virtual Virago

It might not be as famous as the noir classics that usually make the top ten lists, but The Narrow Margin (1952) is definitely a picture that every noir fan ought to get around to, and the sooner the better. Richard Fleischer’s tight, smart thriller packs a cross-country train trip with unexpe... Read full article

Classic Films in Focus: THE NARROW MARGIN (1952)

By Jennifer Garlen on Sep 1, 2014 From Virtual Virago

It might not be as famous as the noir classics that usually make the top ten lists, but The Narrow Margin (1952) is definitely a picture that every noir fan ought to get around to, and the sooner the better. Richard Fleischer’s tight, smart thriller packs a cross-country train trip with unexpe... Read full article

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The Narrow Margin Quotes:

Mrs. Neall: opening her compartment door in the morning and seeing Brown strap on his gun "What're you gonna do, go out and shoot us some breakfast?"
Mrs. Neall: That hood wasn't looking at her big blue eyes. He thinks that's me, and I think that's dandy.
Vincent Yost: We're ready to make a deal. You have her, we want her, how much? It's as simple as that.
Walter Brown: You're under arrest.
Vincent Yost: For what?
Walter Brown: Attempted bribery.
Vincent Yost: Bribery? Heh - you'd never make it stick. I'm a sales executive for the Midwest Equipment Company, Chicago. I've never even gotten as much as a parking ticket.
Walter Brown: Sister, I've known some pretty hard cases in my time; you make 'em all look like putty. You're not talking about a sack of gumdrops that's gonna be smashed - you're talking about a dame's life! You may think it's a funny idea for a woman with a kid to stop a bullet for you, only I'm not laughing!
Mrs. Neall: Where do you get off, being so superior? Why shouldn't I take advantage of her - I want to live! If you had to step on someone to get something you wanted real bad, would you think twice about it?
Walter Brown: Shut up!
Mrs. Neall: In a pig's eye you would! You're no different from me.
Walter Brown: Shut up!
Mrs. Neall: Not till I tell you something, you cheap badge-pusher! When we started on this safari, you made it plenty clear I was just a job, and no joy in it, remember?
Walter Brown: Yeah, and it still goes, double!
Mrs. Neall: Okay, keep it that way. I don't care whether you dreamed up this gag or not; you're going right along with it, so don't go soft on me. And once you handed out a line about poor Forbes getting killed, 'cause it was his duty. Well, it's your duty too! Even if this dame gets murdered.
Walter Brown: You make me sick to my stomach.
Mrs. Neall: Well, use your own sink. And let me know when the target practice starts!
Walter Brown: What kind of a dame would marry a hood?
Det. Sgt. Gus Forbes: All kinds.
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The Narrow Margin Facts
Filmed in 1950, not released until 1952. According to director Richard Fleischer, when the film was finished RKO Pictures owner Howard Hughes heard good things about it and ordered that a copy of it be delivered to him so he could screen it in his private projection room. The film stayed in the projection room for more than a year, apparently because the eccentric Hughes forgot about it.
In preference to removing various walls from the sets, director Richard Fleischer decided to make extensive use of a handheld camera that could be brought into rooms; this was one of the first films to do so. To save money the train sets were rigidly fixed to the floor, and the camera was moved to simulate the train rocking.
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.
The route the train takes is the route of the old Santa Fe Railroad. The Amtrak Southwest Chief takes that same route as of 2009.
Other than a brief scene in which a phonograph is playing, there is no music in the soundtrack.
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