Bad Boy (1949) - Maybe a Noir? Or Not?

Bad Boy (1949) was Audie Murphy's first starring role in a film. I'd never seen it until this morning. It's actually a decent little crime drama about a troubled teen who lashes out at the world to hide his guilt for a family tragedy that I won't go into details about here, in case you hate spoilers. 

Danny Lester (Murphy) is sent to a boys' ranch after being involved in a robbery with an older man, who escaped. Danny is a tough kid, getting into fights with the other boys and defying the couple who run the ranch (Lloyd Nolan and Jane Wyatt). Nolan is determined to find out why this kid from a seemingly decent family is so messed up. What he finds is a not so decent stepfather and a haughty, hateful sister, both wrapped up in a lie that will destroy Danny if he doesn't hear the truth.

Lots of good performances in this film, although I wonder why Dickie Moore was in it, since he didn't seem to have any dialogue. It was like they were confusing this character with the one he played in Out of the Past. Oops! 

 I thought Audie did a great job, considering it was his first lead role. He was, like a lot of Western stars, an underrated actor. He was also excellent in John Huston's Red Badge of Courage and The Unforgiven. 

Is this movie a Noir? Well, it has the crime element and an anti-hero in the lead, so I say it is. It's worth watching, to see for yourself.