Premium Only Content

The Whistler 43/07/02 Avengers
The Whistler is an American radio mystery drama which ran from May 16, 1942, until September 22, 1955, on the west-coast regional CBS radio network. The show was also broadcast in Chicago and over Armed Forces Radio.
On the west coast, it was sponsored by the Signal Oil Company: "That whistle is your signal for the Signal Oil program, The Whistler." There were also two short-lived attempts to form east-coast broadcast spurs: July 3 to September 25, 1946, sponsored by the Campbell Soup Company; and March 26, 1947, to September 29, 1948, sponsored by Household Finance. The program was also adapted into a film noir series by Columbia Pictures in 1944.
Characters and story
I...am the Whistler, and I know many things, for I walk by night. I know many strange tales, many secrets hidden in the hearts of men and women who have stepped into the shadows. Yes... I know the nameless terrors of which they dare not speak!
Each episode of The Whistler began with the sound of footsteps and a person whistling. (The Saint radio series with Vincent Price used a similar opening.) The haunting signature theme tune was composed by Wilbur Hatch and featured Dorothy Roberts whistling with an orchestra.
A character known only as the Whistler was the host and narrator of the tales, which focused on crime and fate. He often commented directly upon the action in the manner of a Greek chorus, taunting the characters, guilty or innocent, from an omniscient perspective. The stories followed a formula in which a person's criminal acts were typically revealed either by an overlooked but important detail or by the criminal's own stupidity. An ironic ending, often grim, was a key feature of each episode. But on rare occasions, such as "Christmas Bonus" broadcast on Christmas Day 1944, the plot's twist of fate caused the story to end happily for the protagonist.
Bill Forman, a veteran radio announcer, had the title role of the Whistler for the longest period. Others who portrayed the Whistler at various times were Gale Gordon, Joseph Kearns, Marvin Miller (announcer for the show, who occasionally filled in for Forman and played supporting roles), and Bill Johnstone (who had the title role on radio's The Shadow from 1938 to 1943). Cast members included Betty Lou Gerson, Hans Conried, Joseph Kearns, Cathy Lewis, Elliott Lewis, Gerald Mohr, Lurene Tuttle and Jack Webb.
Writer-producer J. Donald Wilson established the tone of the show during its first two years, and he was followed in 1944 by producer-director George Allen. Other directors included Sterling Tracy and Sherman Marks with final scripts by Joel Malone and Harold Swanton. Of the 692 episodes, over 200 no longer exist. In 1946, a local Chicago version of The Whistler with local actors (including Everett Clarke as the Whistler) aired Sundays on WBBM, sponsored by Meister Brau beer.
-
2:06:42
TimcastIRL
6 hours agoPolice ARREST "MR SATAN" For Threatening To ASSASSINATE Trump, KILL ICE Agents | Timcast IRL
179K186 -
LIVE
XxXAztecwarrior
5 hours agoKilling Little Timmy's On Verdansk
738 watching -
1:26:01
Roseanne Barr
9 hours ago $15.02 earnedAbsolutely Fabulous W/ Shannon Hughey #94
65.7K21 -
SynthTrax & DJ Cheezus Livestreams
20 hours agoFriday Night Synthwave 80s 90s Electronica and more DJ MIX Livestream THE NEW MODEL - Variety Edition
36.3K3 -
LIVE
Anthony Rogers
1 day agoAnthony Rogers Show - 24/7 Stream
324 watching -
2:11:55
Total Horse Channel
14 hours ago2025 CMSA Extravaganza | Mounted Shooting
37K1 -
4:50:33
VapinGamers
5 hours ago $1.43 earnedGedonia 2 - Early Release Preview and Co-Stream! - !game #Sponsored
39.3K -
1:32:39
Glenn Greenwald
10 hours agoWeek in Review: Douglas Murray VS Dave Smith Debate, Tariffs, and More with Glenn Greenwald, Lee Fang, & Michael Tracey | SYSTEM UPDATE #438
129K54 -
LIVE
EnDuEnDo
4 hours ago🚨Vairety Stream 🎮 Push to 500 Followers 🚀 Chill Vibes 😎
99 watching -
4:25:53
Nerdrotic
10 hours ago $33.24 earnedMarvel Is SCREWED | Daredevil Afterbirth | G20 is ABSOLUTE Cinema - Friday Night Tights 349 w MauLer
136K31