Ralph Carter played the kid. He was a youngster at the time, so that's why his acting was genuine. I like the story. Mysterious, no. But, who really knew what the end would be? Perhaps, THAT WAS THE MYSTERY!!!
You wonder if Phil will go bad, you wonder if the Grandfather really has money stashed somewhere, and IF Phil would take it, Who the Old Buddy was and what He wanted. It's suspenseful. Throw in the Insurance Agent who is offering reward for the stolen money...You don't know who or what to watch for🤔🤔🤔🤔
It doesn't have to be macabre. But, it does make us wonder.
As for Phil missing his dad, his father probably was a lifetime criminal. Gone all the time for one crime or another. Now, the son SEEMS to be leaning toward the family tree of crime.