Described by many as an anthology program, and others as a horror or mystery show, The Whistler indeed was all these things. In many ways, however, the program was first and foremost a crime show. What made it stand out from other programs of the same type was the use of the show’s namesake, the unseen, almost never participating observer with the eerie laugh and often chilling platitudes to share each week. The Whistler was not the first host of this type, being predated by The Shadow by almost a decade, and with others, such as The Mysterious Traveler, to follow. The Whistler definitely left his mark as one of the most memorable.
In the early episodes of The Whistler, the omniscient narrator with the creepy laugh would actually sometimes interact without actually participating in the stories. Writer-Producer J. Donald Wilson would at times have The Whistler act as the conscience of an episode’s protagonist, debating what the lead character should do next and usually pushing him or her to the deadliest decision. Then The Whistler would tell the listeners how the story played out. In 1944, this changed when George Allen became producer-director. The Whistler no longer played anyone’s conscience and the ending of each episode was fully played out, not summarized.
This shift in storytelling made The Whistler a more compelling, stronger program. With The Whistler simply as an omniscient observer, the tension was heightened, keeping listeners engaged right up to the often unexpected ending.
Follow The Whistler into the dark recesses of the human spirit in this thrilling collection from Radio Archives. The Whistler, Volume 25 features twelve broadcasts restored to sparkling digital quality.
#447 Three Wise Guys
Sunday, December 24, 1950 - 30:00 - CBS Pacific Network, sponsored by Signal Oil
#498 Curiosity Killed the Cat
Sunday, December 16, 1951 - 30:00 - CBS Pacific Network, sponsored by Signal Oil
#499 Christmas Gift
Sunday, December 23, 1951 - 30:00 - CBS Pacific Network, sponsored by Signal Oil
#500 Fatal Step
Sunday, December 30, 1951 - 30:00 - CBS Pacific Network, sponsored by Signal Oil
#506 Little Red Book
Sunday, February 10, 1952 - 30:00 - CBS Pacific Network, sponsored by Signal Oil
#513 Homecoming
Sunday, March 30, 1952 - 30:00 - CBS Pacific Network, sponsored by Signal Oil
#519 A Matter of Odds
Sunday, May 11, 1952 - 30:00 - CBS Pacific Network, sponsored by Signal Oil
#520 Determined Traveler
Sunday, May 18, 1952 - 30:00 - CBS Pacific Network, sponsored by Signal Oil
#523 Man in the Way
Sunday, June 8, 1952 - 30:00 - CBS Pacific Network, sponsored by Signal Oil
#524 Last Message
Sunday, June 15, 1952 - 30:00 - CBS Pacific Network, sponsored by Signal Oil
#526 Night Flight
Sunday, June 29, 1952 - 30:00 - CBS Pacific Network, sponsored by Signal Oil
#530 You Can't Trust a Stranger
Sunday, July 27, 1952 - 30:00 - CBS Pacific Network, sponsored by Signal Oil
