The Whistler was almost completely a West Coast program, becoming extremely popular in those states. It debuted on May 16, 1942 on various stations in Arizona, California, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington. This was due to the fact that the show’s sponsor, The Signal Oil Company had service stations in each of those states. Signal Oil sponsored the entire thirteen year run of The Whistler on the West Coast, making the program one of the longest running with a single sponsor. Even when CBS ran the show nationally briefly in 1946 and 48, each time with different sponsors, Signal Oil remained the sponsor on the West Coast.
The Whistler proved so popular that in 1946, a CBS owned radio station, WBBM, started its own version of the famous series. Even though this run of The Whistler did not have Hollywood or “Whistler’s Children” at its disposal, it did make great use of local actors and actresses, drawing from a large repertory company in Chicago. Everett Clarke filled the role of The Whistler on this program, sponsored by Meister Brau beer. This connected it to the West Coast show, as Clarke also at times acted as The Whistler in the show’s original incarnation as well.
The Whistler transcended its West Coast beginnings in many ways. Along with the national attempts and the Chicago series, the show also led to a series of B movies and a television program. 1955, however, was the last year that the omniscient voice who watched mankind from the shadows would be heard.
The Whistler combined horrific crimes, deserved justice, and an engaging narrator to make it one of the best shows of classic radio. Experience it for yourself with twelve broadcasts produced in sparkling digital quality by Radio Archives in The Whistler, Volume 19.
#367 Perfect Alibi
Sunday, June 12, 1949 - 30:00 - CBS Pacific Network, sponsored by Signal Oil
#368 That Physical Fact
Sunday, June 19, 1949 - 30:00 - CBS Pacific Network, sponsored by Signal Oil
#369 Final Decree
Sunday, June 26, 1949 - 30:00 - CBS Pacific Network, sponsored by Signal Oil
#370 Panic on Mulberry Street
Sunday, July 3, 1949 - 30:00 - CBS Pacific Network, sponsored by Signal Oil
#371 Front Man
Sunday, July 10, 1949 - 30:00 - CBS Pacific Network, sponsored by Signal Oil
#372 Death in Sixteen Millimeter
Sunday, July 17, 1949 - 30:00 - CBS Pacific Network, sponsored by Signal Oil
#373 The Hermit
Sunday, July 24, 1949 - 30:00 - CBS Pacific Network, sponsored by Signal Oil
#374 Brotherly Hate
Sunday, July 31, 1949 - 30:00 - CBS Pacific Network, sponsored by Signal Oil
#375 The Trigger Man
Sunday, August 7, 1949 - 30:00 - CBS Pacific Network, sponsored by Signal Oil
#376 Best Friend
Sunday, August 14, 1949 - 30:00 - CBS Pacific Network, sponsored by Signal Oil
#377 Confession
Sunday, August 21, 1949 - 30:00 - CBS Pacific Network, sponsored by Signal Oil
#378 The Eager Pidgeon
Sunday, August 28, 1949 - 30:00 - CBS Pacific Network, sponsored by Signal Oil
