Essentially omniscient as the narrator, The Whistler actually told each tale from a rather unique perspective. Usually speaking in second-person and present tense, The Whistler unfolded the events of each story from the point of view of the criminal, of the protagonist of the story who finds him or herself entangled in an illicit web of their own making. Wrapped in irony, The Whistler’s comments would push the story to the final denouement, where whatever tiny thing that was so present throughout the story, a misspoken word, a wrong turn-was revealed to be the final nail in the character’s coffin, all punctuated by The Whistler’s horrifying laughter.
In full total, 692 episodes of The Whistler were produced. Approximately more than 400 have survived, meaning a majority of the series is still in existence. Although originally headed up by J. Donald Wilson, The Whistler would undergo staff changes over the thirteen year run, bringing in a multitude of writers and even more than a few directors. Despite the changes, the program remained largely unchanged until 1944.
The director that had the single most impact on the program was George Allen, coming on board in 1944. Under Allen’s direction, The Whistler became less a voice of conscience as he had been originally presented and more an ominous observer and teller of tales, which added to the thrill for the listeners. It also made The Whistler less morality play and more noir crime thriller.
Experience the weird justice of The Whistler in this astounding Radio Archives collection. Listen to twelve broadcasts in The Whistler, Volume 23, restored to sparkling digital quality and as originally aired in 1950.
#418 Caesar's Wife
Sunday, June 4, 1950 - 30:00 - CBS Pacific Network, sponsored by Signal Oil
#419 Rebound
Sunday, June 11, 1950 - 30:00 - CBS Pacific Network, sponsored by Signal Oil
#424 Attorney for the Defense
Sunday, July 16, 1950 - 30:00 - CBS Pacific Network, sponsored by Signal Oil
#425 The Cliffs at Weyrum
Sunday, July 23, 1950 - 30:00 - CBS Pacific Network, sponsored by Signal Oil
#426 With My Own Eyes
Sunday, July 30, 1950 - 30:00 - CBS Pacific Network, sponsored by Signal Oil
#427 Double Exposure
Sunday, August 6, 1950 - 30:00 - CBS Pacific Network, sponsored by Signal Oil
#429 Finale
Sunday, August 20, 1950 - 30:00 - CBS Pacific Network, sponsored by Signal Oil
#430 Undercurrent
Sunday, August 27, 1950 - 30:00 - CBS Pacific Network, sponsored by Signal Oil
#431 Whirlwind
Sunday, September 3, 1950 - 30:00 - CBS Pacific Network, sponsored by Signal Oil
#432 The Golden Penny
Sunday, September 10, 1950 - 30:00 - CBS Pacific Network, sponsored by Signal Oil
#433 Deadly Rumor
Sunday, September 17, 1950 - 30:00 - CBS Pacific Network, sponsored by Signal Oil
#434 That Hemsley Affair
Sunday, September 24, 1950 - 30:00 - CBS Pacific Network, sponsored by Signal Oil
