The Whistler - 48/12/05 (ep343) Hired Alibi
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.
-
19:28
Stephen Gardner
4 days ago🔴BREAKING: Biden’s RECKLESS new scheme fails with the PEOPLE!!
104K154 -
LIVE
Vigilant News Network
13 hours agoMedia Blackout: 10 News Stories They Chose Not to Tell You - Episode 28
1,820 watching -
13:07
Evenout
12 hours agoStealing Jordan 1 OG Then Re-Appearing With a Different Shoes Twin Prank!
55.6K10 -
1:20:26
Winston Marshall
1 day agoUNCOVERED: Legal System Weaponised - Trump, Hunter, Bannon & Biden | The Winston Marshall Show #020
102K159 -
16:09
Chicks in the Office
14 hours agoOur Top 12 Songs On Repeat This Week - Music You Can't Miss
85.4K39 -
2:23:05
Gigi Young
2 days agoLecture: The Mystery of Death
77K5 -
1:01:15
The Dan Bongino Show
17 hours agoSUNDAY SPECIAL with Mike Benz, Scott Presler, Julie Kelly and Jim Verdi - 06/23/2024
242K485 -
31:41
Standpoint with Gabe Groisman
17 hours agoEp. 32. Libs of TikTok. Chaya Raichik
93.6K50 -
35:24
Squaring The Circle w/ Randall Carlson
1 day ago#009 Are Sea Levels REALLY Rising? Pt 2 - Squaring the Circle: A Randall Carlson Podcast
118K71 -
14:23
Freakin' Reviews
1 day agoPan Wars! $90 Caraway vs $8 Martha Stewart!
92.6K18