The Narrow Margin 01/31/26

Quite a few films noir approach perfection: this almost-perfect RKO production was abused by Howard Hughes, only to bounce back as one of Hollywood’s most notable ‘sleepers’ — word-of-mouth made it into a solid box office hit. Gravel-throat detective Charles McGraw is suspected of being on the mob’s payroll, a charge that is tested when he must protect a hoodlum’s widow (Marie Windsor) from assassination — on a moving train. It’s a taut thriller with smart & saucy dialogue; under the direction of Richard Fleischer, the McGraw-Windsor verbal sparring approaches legendary status. Plus, the film has a powerful James Bond 007 connection. On Blu-ray from The Warner Archive Collection.
01/31/26