Old Time Radio Downloads > Mystery > The Whistler

The Whistler was a radio mystery anthology that debuted on CBS Radio on May 16, 1942. The show was heard only on the West Coast and had Signal Oil as the main sponsor. There were attempts to broadcast the show on the East Coast, one on July to September 1946 and the other on March 1947 to September 1948, with Campbell Soup and Household Finance as the suggested sponsors.

 

The show centered on a character called "The Whistler," the mysterious narrator of various murder stories. The role was given to popular radio announcer Bill Forman, although there were occasions where the other personalities like Marvin Miller, Bill Johnstone, Gale Gordon, Everett Clarke, and Joseph Kearns took over.

 

Despite the show being broadcast on the West Coast only, The Whistler was able to become one of the most popular and longest-running crime mystery dramas. It ended on September 22, 1955. 

The-Whistler

Please enjoy these old time radio shows:

Air Date Title Synopsis
 1949-05-01  E364 Solid Citizen

CBS Pacific net. "Solid Citizen". Sponsored by: Signal Oil. A storekeeper in a fishing village uses murder to get rid of a competitor for his girlfriend, because no one would suspect such a "solid citizen." This is a network, sponsored version of cat. #40227. The "Whistler" program of July 1, 1946 (cat. #76550) has the same title but is a different story. Joseph Kearns, Sarah Selby, Ross Forrester, Leona Shirley (writer), Marvin Miller (announcer), Wilbur Hatch (music), George W. Allen (producer, director). 

CBS net origination, AFRS rebroadcast. "Solid Citizen". A storekeeper in a fishing village uses murder to get rid of a competitor for his girlfriend, because no one would suspect such a "solid citizen." See cat. #76143 for a network, sponsored version of this broadcast. The "Whistler" program of July 1, 1946 (cat. #76550) has the same title, but was a different story. Leona Shirley (writer), Joseph Kearns, Sarah Selby, Ross Forrester, Marvin Miller (announcer), Wilbur Hatch (music), George W. Allen (producer, director)

 1949-05-08  E365 Danger Is A Beautiful Blonde

+ CBS Pacific net. "Danger Is A Beautiful Blonde". Sponsored by: Signal Oil. A man walking along the street is picked up by a beautiful, rich woman...and finds murder! This is a network, sponsored version of cat. #16759. The script was used previously on "The Whistler" on March 5, 1945 (see cat. #79407) and subsequently on July 29, 1951 (see cat. #93298). Wilbur Hatch (music), George W. Allen (producer, director), Marvin Miller (announcer), Jack Webb, Joan Banks, Hazel Leitel (writer), John Dunkel (writer).

+ CBS net origination, AFRTS rebroadcast. "Danger Is A Beautiful Blonde". A man walking along the street is picked up by a beautiful, rich woman and finds...murder! See cat. #76091 for a network, sponsored version of this broadcast. The script was previously used on "The Whistler" on March 5, 1945 (see cat. #79407) and subsequently on July 29, 1951 (see cat. #93298). Jack Webb, Joan Banks, Hazel Leitel (writer), John Dunkel (writer), Marvin Miller (announcer), George W. Allen (producer, director), Wilbur Hatch (music).
 1949-05-15  E366 Golden Opportunity

+ CBS Pacific net. "Golden Opportunity". Sponsored by: Signal Oil. A man kills his wife...with predictable results. Willard Waterman, Monty Margetts, Lois Moran, Wally Maher, Wilbur Hatch (music), Marvin Miller (announcer), Harrison Negley (writer).
 1949-05-22  E367 Fatal Fraud

+ CBS Pacific net. "Fatal Fraud". Sponsored by: Signal Oil. An excellent voice impersonator in Hong Kong joins a scheme to redirect an airplane carrying $250,000. A delightful script for radio. This is a network, sponsored version of cat. #16747. Joel Malone (writer), Adrian Gendot (writer), Paul Frees, Cathy Lewis, Gerald Mohr, George W. Allen (producer, director), Wilbur Hatch (music), Marvin Miller (announcer). 

+ CBS net origination, rebroadcast on WRVR-FM, New York. "Fatal Fraud". Participating sponsors. An excellent voice impersonator in Hong Kong joins a scheme to redirect an airplane with $250,000. Syndicated rebroadcast date: January 13, 1975. See cat. #76087 for a network, sponsored version of this broadcast. Joel Malone (writer), Adrian Gendot (writer), Paul Frees, Cathy Lewis, Gerald Mohr, George W. Allen (producer, director), Wilbur Hatch (music), Marvin Miller (announcer).
 1949-05-29  E368 Deal With Death

+ CBS Pacific net. "Deal With Death". Sponsored by: Signal Oil. Who has tried to murder a reporter? It's the one who's also interested in his wife! Frank Lovejoy, Ted de Corsia, Marvin Miller (announcer), Bill Forman, Steve Hampton (writer), Wilbur Hatch (music), George W. Allen (producer, director).
 1949-06-05  E369 Letter To Melanie

+ CBS Pacific net. "Letter To Melanie". Sponsored by: Signal Oil. A partner in a mine finally meets his penpal girlfriend. She's beautiful and rich! This is a network, sponsored version of cat. #16755. Wally Maher, Edward Marr, Sarah Selby, Marvin Miller (announcer), Wilbur Hatch (music), Joel Malone (writer), Harold Swanton (writer), George W. Allen (producer, director). 

+ CBS net origination, AFRTS rebroadcast. "Letter To Melanie". A partner in a mine finally meets his penpal girlfriend. She's beautiful and rich! See cat. #76151 for a network, sponsored version of this broadcast. Joel Malone (writer), Harold Swanton (writer), Wally Maher, Edward Marr, Sarah Selby, Marvin Miller (announcer), Wilbur Hatch (music), George W. Allen (producer, director).
 1949-06-12  E370 Perfect Alibi

+ CBS net. "Perfect Alibi". Sponsored by: Signal Oil. An ex-private eye tries his hand at murder-and-marriage for profit. The script was subsequently used on "The Whistler" on November 2, 1952. James Cullen (writer), Virginia Gregg, Howard McNear, Frank Lovejoy, Jack Webb.
 1949-06-19  E371 That Physical Fact

+ CBS Pacific net. "That Physical Fact". Sponsored by: Signal Oil. A better than average story about three men and a woman who are stranded on a Pacific island. Only two of them have a chance of returning to civilization. This is a network, sponsored version of cat. #16734. Frank Lovejoy, Howard McNear, Don Harvey, James Cullen (writer), George W. Allen (producer, director), Virginia Gregg, Marvin Miller (announcer).

+ CBS net origination, rebroadcast on WRVR-FM, New York. "That Physical Fact". Sustaining. Three men and a woman are stranded on a Pacific island. Only two of them have a chance of returning to civilization. A better than average story. Syndicated rebroadcast date: October 14, 1974. See cat. #61126 for a network, sponsored version of this broadcast. Frank Lovejoy, Howard McNear, Virginia Gregg, James Cullen (writer), George W. Allen (producer, director), Marvin Miller (announcer), Don Harvey. 
 1949-06-26  E372 Fatal Decree

+ CBS Pacific net. "Final Decree". Sponsored by: Signal Oil. A complex story of love, marriage, murder and guns...lots of guns! The date is subject to correction. Betty Lou Gerson, Joel Malone (writer), Adrian Gendot (writer), Wilbur Hatch (music), Marvin Miller (announcer), George W. Allen (producer, director), John Hoyt.
 1949-07-03  E373 Panic On MulberryStreet

+ CBS Pacific net. "Panic On Mulberry Street". Sponsored by: Signal Oil. Henry Pettigrew is a mild man who devices a theory of crimes being committed in alphabetical order. This gives him the opportunity to kill the brother of his beloved, but who really kills this obnoxious guy? Marvin Miller (announcer), Wilbur Hatch (music), George W. Allen (producer, director), Wilms Herbert, Sarah Selby, Hal March, Steve Hampton (writer). 
 1949-07-10  E374 Front Man

+ CBS Pacific net. "Front Man". Sponsored by: Signal Oil. A respected attorney named Steve Conant refuses to alibi his half brother when he's charged with murder. In fact, Steve is really in the rackets with his half brother, and also in love with the gangster's girl friend! Marvin Miller (announcer), George W. Allen (producer, director), Wilbur Hatch (music), Willard Waterman, Frances Robinson, Wally Maher, Gilbert Thomas (writer). 
 1949-07-17  E375 Death In 16 Millimeter

+ CBS Pacific net. "Death In Sixteen Millimeter". Sponsored by: Signal Oil (limerick contest). Paul Benton takes movies of his girlfriend as she murders Paul wife. A good story with several unexpected twists. Ted de Corsia, Virginia Gregg, Jack Petruzzi, Wilbur Hatch (music), Marvin Miller (announcer), George W. Allen (producer, director), Nancy Cleveland (writer). 

Other Mystery Shows you may enjoy:

1 Response to The Whistler


I have additional information to add to your site: The Whistler began with the sound of footsteps and a person whistling. The haunting signature theme tune was composed by Wilbur Hatch and featured Dorothy Roberts whistling with an orchestra. Legend has it that they couldn't find a male to reach the octaves that she could! The stories followed formula in which a person's criminal acts were typically undone either by an overlooked, but important detail or by their own stupidity. On rare occasions, a curious twist of fate caused the story to end happily for the episode's protagonist. Ironic twist endings were a key feature of each episode. The Whistler himself narrated, often commenting directly upon the action in the manner of a Greek chorus, taunting the criminal from an omniscient perspective. 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, aired Sundays on WBBM, sponsored by Meister Brau beer. The Whistler: Gale Gordon, Joseph Kearns, Marvin Miller, Bill Johnstone & Everett Clarke. Musical Direction by Wolber Hatch; Sound Effects by Bernie Surrey, Gene Twombly. Host/Narrator: Bill Forman."

Michaela Nelson.... information from the Universit, 2012-10-03 10:33:58 Edit Delete

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The buzz-term for Old Time Radio is "OTR". OTR usually means radio broadcasting from the golden age of radio, mostly before 1964.These shows from the pre-television age include adventure, comedies, mystery shows, western dramas and shows from World War II. These programs feature the best talent of the day and were broadcast nearly as widely as cable programs today. And just like TV today, families would gather around their crystal radio sets to enjoy the entertainment together.