Margin for Error
When police officer Moe Finkelstein and his colleague Officer Salomon are ordered to serve as bodyguards to German consul Karl Baumer by the mayor of New York City, Finkelstein turns in his badge, convinced he has to quit the service because the man is a Nazi.
Insights
Plot Summary
A fast-talking New York City taxi driver, Johnny “Scooter” Jones, accidentally gets involved in a murder plot after picking up a wealthy socialite and her gangster boyfriend. When the gangster's moll begins to suspect Johnny knows too much, he finds himself in a race against time to clear his name and outsmart the criminals before they silence him permanently.
Critical Reception
The film received mixed reviews upon its release. While some critics praised its fast pace and comedic elements, others found the plot convoluted and the performances uneven. It was considered a somewhat surprising directorial effort from Otto Preminger, known more for his later dramatic work.
What Reviewers Say
- Praised for its energetic pacing and Milton Berle's comedic performance.
- Criticized for a somewhat predictable and convoluted plot.
- A minor entry in the crime-comedy genre of the 1940s.
Google audience: N/A
Fun Fact
This film marked the directorial debut of Otto Preminger, who would later become famous for directing classics like 'Laura', 'Anatomy of a Murder', and 'Exodus'.
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