Backfire (1950)

An injured war veterean (Gordon MacRae) is slowly recovering from his injuries at a V.A. hospital. His best friend (Edmond O'Brien) and his pretty nurse (Virginia Mayo) giving him the encouragement he needs. Suddenly, his best friend disappears without an explanation. It appears he is a murder suspect. The veteran takes it upon himself to track his friend down. Directed by Vincent Sherman (MR. SKEFFINGTON), this intriguing semi-noir takes all kinds of twists and turns until the final twist (which I spotted about 10 minutes before it happened). It's no great shakes and MacRae in a rare non-singing role makes for a bland noir hero and Mayo, here the good girl, is always more interesting when playing the bad girl. But the economic and tight screenplay is solid enough to keep you glued and there are good performances by Viveca Lindfors, Dane Clark, Ed Beglley and Sheila Stephens (who would later marry MacRae and reitre from acting).