Margin for Error (1943): Cast & Plot
Margin for Error is a 1943 crime drama starring Milton Berle as Moe Finkelstein, Ferike Boros and Otto Preminger. It runs 1 hour 14 minutes.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 14m (74 min)
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- 20th Century Fox
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Margin for Error About?
The premise of Margin for Error without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
When the mayor of New York City orders Officers Moe Finkelstein and Salomon to serve as bodyguards for German consul Karl Baumer, Finkelstein, convinced the diplomat is a Nazi, hands in his badge and quits the force. The film follows the resulting mishaps as the two officers grapple with their duty and the political intrigue surrounding the consul’s visit.
Margin for Error Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- adolf hitler character
- male police officer
- german agent
- american cop
- radio announcer
- german baron
- police captain
- newspaper photographer
- police investigation
- short wave radio
- newspaper reporter
- nazi spy
+38 more Show fewer
- taxi driver
- author's name above the title
- confusion
- damsel in distress
- deception
- double feature film
- held at gunpoint
- henchman
- yiddish humor
- reprisal
- retribution
- determination
- racist
- bigotry
- treachery
- rise
- vindication
- newspaper story
- german consulate
- turmoil
- slur
- gang leader
- grindhouse film
- german
- saboteur
- nazi
- evil man
- times square manhattan new york city
- statue of liberty new york city
- manhattan new york city
- world war two
- waiter
- undercover
- u.s. army
- stock footage
- spy camera
- soldier
- sabotage
Margin for Error Cast & Characters
Milton Berle leads the cast as Moe Finkelstein, with Ferike Boros as Mrs. Finkelstein and Otto Preminger as Karl Baumer.
-
Milton Berle as Moe Finkelstein - Ferike Boros as Mrs. Finkelstein
-
Otto Preminger as Karl Baumer - Hans Schumm as Karl Müller
Also Starring in Margin for Error
· 36 more- Joe Kirk Officer Solomon
- Edward McNamara Police Capt. Mulrooney
- Carl Esmond Baron Max von Alvenstor
- Joan Bennett Sophia Baumer
- Howard Freeman Otto Horst
- Clyde Fillmore Dr. Jennings
- Jack Gordon Private
- Byron Foulger Pharmacist
- William H. O'Brien Waiter
- Selmer Jackson Medical Examiner
- Bert Moorhouse Roulette Croupier
- Emmett Vogan Fingerprint Expert
- Cyril Ring Drugstore Clerk
- Eddie Dunn Desk Sergeant
- Carl M. Leviness Dowager's Escort
- Ralph Byrd Pete - Dice-Playing Soldier
Show all 40 cast members Show fewer cast members
- Don Dillaway Reporter
- Perc Launders Drugstore Soda Jerk
- Paul Douglas Policeman at Front Desk (uncredited)
- Hans Heinrich von Twardowski Fritz - Butler
- Wolfgang Zilzer Bit Part
- Ludwig Donath Hitler's Voice
- Malcolm 'Bud' McTaggart Soldier
- Dick French Photographer
- Ruth Cherrington Dowager
- John Wald American Announcer
- Tom Seidel Soldier
- Ted North Saboteur
- David S. Horsley Jacoby
- Constant Franke Gambler
- Gary Breckner American Announcer
- Allan Nixon Soldier
- Poldi Dur Frieda Schmidt
- Jack Semple Saboteur
- J. Norton Dunn Saboteur
- Barney Ruditsky Policeman
Margin for Error Plot Summary
What happens in Margin for Error from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 12 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Moe Finkelstein, [Milton Berle], and his colleague Officer Solomon, [Joe Kirk], are assigned by the mayor to act as bodyguards for German consul Karl Baumer, [Otto Preminger], in New York City. The mayor insists that, despite his personal opposition to Adolf Hitler and the Nazi regime, the safety of everyone depends on this delicate duty, and Captain Mulrooney, [Edward McNamara], who placed them there, believes Moe can show the crucial difference between their democratic system and the Nazi one.
Full summary
The whole story of Margin for Error, scene by scene
How Well Do You Know Margin for Error?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
Which actor portrayed the German consul Karl Baumer?
Margin for Error Also Known As
3 alternative titles, including “Margen de error” and “误差幅度”.
- Also known as
-
- Margen de error
- 误差幅度
- Marge d'erreur
Seen Margin for Error?
Movies Like Margin for Error
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Madness, Nazi Agent and Hitler’s Madman.
Margin for Error FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date
Runtime, release date, cast and post-credit scenes of Margin for Error, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Margin for Error?
Margin for Error runs 1 hour 14 minutes (74 minutes).
When was Margin for Error released?
Margin for Error was released on January 8, 1943.
Who is in the cast of Margin for Error?
Margin for Error stars Milton Berle as Moe Finkelstein, Ferike Boros as Mrs. Finkelstein and Otto Preminger as Karl Baumer, among 40 credited actors.
Does Margin for Error have a post-credit scene?
No. Margin for Error has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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