THE WHISTLER "The Killers"

 

A man is sentenced to an insane asylum after murdering an entire family with an ax. Escaping from custody, he finds himself alone with three women and $1000 on an isolated farm. The rain beats down in torrents, and during the brief flashes of lightning, a certain stone building stands out in the darkness of the night, the courthouse of a southwestern state. This episode aired on May 1, 1943 on CBS Radio, west.

THE WHISTLER "Coincidence"

 

This episode of The Whistler aired on CBS West November 19, 1945. ep 182 titled Coincidence. The announcer and host of the series is Marvin Miller.

WHISTLER "Seeing Eye"

 

BILL FORMAN

MARVIN MILLER

"The Whistler" was an American radio program running for a total of 13 years from May 16, 1942 until September 22, 1955. It was one of the most popular mystery dramas of its' time. Signal Oil Company sponsored the program. The marketing catch phrase was: "Let that whistle be your signal for the Signal Oil program, The Whistler." During the first two years of the show J. Donald Wilson was the writer and producer. During 1944 producer and director George Allen took over. Other directors included Sterling Tracy and Sherman Marks with final scripts by Joel Malone and Harold Swanton. 692 total episodes were produced. Over 200 of those episodes cannot be found and are no longer in existence. Episodes of The Whistler began with the ominous narration: 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. I know the nameless terrors of which they dare not speak. Those opening words were spoken along with the echo of footsteps and Wilbur Hatch's 13-note theme, whistled weekly by Dorothy Roberts for 13 years. Bill Forman had the title role of host and narrator. Others who portrayed the Whistler at various times were Gale Gordon (Lucille Ball's future television nemesis), Joseph Kearns (played Mr. Wilson on TV series Dennis the Menace), Marvin Miller (soon the announcer for The Bickersons and, later, television's Michael Anthony on The Millionaire), Bill Johnstone (who played The Shadow on radio 1938-1943) and Everett Clarke. The stories followed an effective formula in which a person's criminal acts were typically undone by their own stupidity. Ironic twist endings were common, as they had been on the show that most obviously influenced it, The Shadow. The Whistler narrated, often commenting directly upon the action in the manner of a Greek chorus, taunting the criminal from an omniscient perspective. The Whistler seldom featured any major Hollywood stars, but the quality of writing and performance made it a radio mainstay.

THE WHISTLER "Harvest Of Death"

 

MARVIN MILLER

"The Whistler" was an American radio program running for a total of 13 years from May 16, 1942 until September 22, 1955. It was one of the most popular mystery dramas of its' time. Signal Oil Company sponsored the program. The marketing catch phrase was: "Let that whistle be your signal for the Signal Oil program, The Whistler." During the first two years of the show J. Donald Wilson was the writer and producer. During 1944 producer and director George Allen took over. Other directors included Sterling Tracy and Sherman Marks with final scripts by Joel Malone and Harold Swanton. 692 total episodes were produced. Over 200 of those episodes cannot be found and are no longer in existence. Episodes of The Whistler began with the ominous narration: 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. I know the nameless terrors of which they dare not speak. Those opening words were spoken along with the echo of footsteps and Wilbur Hatch's 13-note theme, whistled weekly by Dorothy Roberts for 13 years. Bill Forman had the title role of host and narrator. Others who portrayed the Whistler at various times were Gale Gordon (Lucille Ball's future television nemesis), Joseph Kearns (played Mr. Wilson on TV series Dennis the Menace), Marvin Miller (soon the announcer for The Bickersons and, later, television's Michael Anthony on The Millionaire), Bill Johnstone (who played The Shadow on radio 1938-1943) and Everett Clarke. The stories followed an effective formula in which a person's criminal acts were typically undone by their own stupidity. Ironic twist endings were common, as they had been on the show that most obviously influenced it, The Shadow. The Whistler narrated, often commenting directly upon the action in the manner of a Greek chorus, taunting the criminal from an omniscient perspective. The Whistler seldom featured any major Hollywood stars, but the quality of writing and performance made it a radio mainstay.

 

WHISTLER "Final Return"

 

Episode 179 aired on CBS Radio October 29, 1945. "The Whistler" was an American radio program running for a total of 13 years from May 16, 1942 until September 22, 1955. It was one of the most popular mystery dramas of its' time. Signal Oil Company sponsored the program. The marketing catch phrase was: "Let that whistle be your signal for the Signal Oil program, The Whistler." Those opening words were spoken along with the echo of footsteps and Wilbur Hatch's 13-note theme, whistled weekly by Dorothy Roberts for 13 years. Bill Forman had the title role of host and narrator. Others who portrayed the Whistler at various times were Gale Gordon (Lucille Ball's future television nemesis), Joseph Kearns (played Mr. Wilson on TV series Dennis the Menace), Marvin Miller (soon the announcer for The Bickersons and, later, television's Michael Anthony on The Millionaire), Bill Johnstone (who played The Shadow on radio 1938-1943) and Everett Clarke.

THE WHISTLER "House On Sycamore Road"

 

Episode 177 aired on CBS WEST Network October 15, 1945. Marvin Miller is host. 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.

THE WHISTLER "Death Laughs Last"

 

Episode 176 aired October 8, 1945 on CBS Radio. Marvin Miller is host. The Whistler is an American radio mystery drama. Each episode of The Whistler began with the sound of footsteps and a person whistling. A character known only as the Whistler was the host and narrator of the tales, which focused on crime and fate. The series ran from May 16, 1942, until September 22, 1955, on the west-coast regional CBS radio network.

THE WHISTLER "The Man Who Died Twice"

 

Episode 174 aired on CBS Radio September 24, 1945. Host Marvin Miller for Signal auto products. The Whistler is one of American radio's most popular mystery dramas, with a 13-year run from May 16, 1942 until September 22, 1955.The Whistler was the most popular West Coast-originated program with its listeners for many years. It was sponsored by the Signal Oil Company: "That whistle is your signal for the Signal Oil program, The Whistler."

The WHISTLER "Man Who Came To Murder"

 

Aired on August 6, 1945 over CBS Radio. Episode 167 with host Marvin Miller. Wendell has been taking care of wealthy old Aunt Ellen's finances because she hasn't much time left. When her condition improves, Wendell has to take certain steps to keep her from discovering his thievery.

THE WHISTLER "Death Pays a Visit"

 

Episode 159 aired on CBS Radio June 11, 1945. Jack Crowley needs $10,000 fast to cover the shortage in his accounts at the bank. Along comes laughing cousin Charlie for a weekend visit...with $10,000 in cash! The course of action called for seems obvious. Marvin Miller hosts this series.

THE WHISTLER "Seascape"

 

The wife of a lighthouse keeper admits she's a murderer. Episode 139 aired January 22, 1945 on CBS Radio.

THE WHISTLER "Body would not stay in the Bay"

 

Episode 137 aired on CBS Radio January 8, 1945. A woman returns from the dead for revenge of her murder. Bill Forman stars.

THE WHISTLER "Windfall"

 

Episode 134 ired December 18, 1944 on the CBS Radio Network. A man finds a corpse with no identification, except a checkbook showing a balance of $104,000.  Bill Forman starred in most episodes as The Whistler with Marvin Miller appearing in the title role when Forman served a hitch with the Army.  Regularly heard in various episodes were Joseph Kearns, Wally Maher, Hans Conried, Gerald Mohr, Frank Lovejoy, Joan Banks, Jeanette Nolan, Jeff Chandler, and Mercedes McCambridge.  Dorothy Roberts whistled the opening and closing of the program.  

THE WHISTLER "Death Sees Double"

 

Episode 130 aired November 20, 1944 on CBS West. A woman kills her twin sister and assumes her identify. She discovers, however, that being Sister Mona isn't all that it's cracked up to be.

THE WHISTLER "Man Who Waited"

Wealthy but mean old-lady Bartlett is against the marriage of her son...to anyone. Episode 52 aired on CBS Radio May 15, 1943.

THE WHISTLER "Legacy of Death"

 

Episode 40 aired February 14, 1943 on CBS Radio. A young woman has inherited a tendency to kill...or has she? Bill Forman stars.

THE WHISTLER "Weakling"

 

Episode 34 aired January 3, 1943. A gripping story about the spineless son of a District Attorney.

THE WHISTLER "Double cross"

 

Episode 33 aired on December 27, 1942 over CBS Radio. The brother of a policeman who's an ex-convict, is suspected of a robbery. It is Christmas eve in New York City. Outside, the snow falls in huge floating flakes. Inside an apartment Joe Blake sits on the floor in front of a small Christmas tree, with his four-year-old nephew,

THE WHISTLER "Apparition"

 

Episode 27 aired on November 15, 1942. A ghost visits his heirs with some strong suggestions as to how his property should be divided.

THE WHISTLER "Alibi"

 

October 25, 1942. A domineering old lady controls all those around her...several of whom have a good reason for doing her in. Poor Henry Farrington paces the library floor. Through his mind run the events of the past twenty years from the day when he married the wealthy young widow Agatha Durrant.