The Narrow Margin is a 1952 film noir directed by Richard Fleischer. The movie follows Detective Sergeant Walter Brown, who is assigned to escort a mobster's widow, Mrs. Neall, from Chicago to Los Angeles on a train. Mrs. Neall is a witness in a high-profile murder case, and several hitmen are determined to silence her before she can testify.
Brown faces numerous obstacles in his quest to protect Mrs. Neall. He must navigate through a host of shady characters onboard the train, including a flirtatious secretary, a pompous businessman, and a self-righteous religious zealot. Meanwhile, he is constantly on guard for assassins who have infiltrated the train and are waiting for the right moment to strike.
As the tension mounts, Brown and Neall develop a strained relationship. Neall resents being stuck with a cop who has no sympathy for her predicament, while Brown grows increasingly frustrated with Neall's reckless disregard for her safety. However, as the danger escalates, the two are forced to put their differences aside and work together to survive.
The Narrow Margin is known for its gripping suspense and sharp dialogue, as well as a standout performance by actress Marie Windsor as Mrs. Neall. It has been remade twice, in 1990 and 2011, but the original remains a classic of the film noir genre.