The Whistler | Old Time Radio

The Whistler presents “Seven Steps to Murder,” the East Coast broadcast originally heard on February 12, 1947. In this CBS, Household Finance Corporation-sponsored airing, William Conrad stars in a tale set amid New York City’s theater and publishing circles.

After drama critic Archer Atkins savages playwright and columnist Everett Clayton’s latest work, Clayton answers with a humiliating literary prank. What begins as a public clash of wit and reputation becomes an increasingly bitter contest between two old acquaintances.

Old Time Retro Radio presents the original broadcast with a newly produced contextual introduction, a short closing announcement, and gent...

The Whistler presents “The Killers,” episode 50, originally broadcast on May 1, 1943. Written and directed by J. Donald Wilson, this CBS Pacific Network thriller features Marvin Miller.

After a sensational murder trial, an escaped asylum inmate arrives near an isolated Southwestern farm where Mrs. Atkins, her sister Ellen, and niece Della are already under pressure from financial worries and a recent $1,000 land payment. News of the escape turns a tense household into a chilling ordeal of fear, suspicion, and greed.

Old Time Retro Radio presents the original broadcast with a newly produced contextual introduction, a short closing announcement, and...

The Whistler presents “Three Minus One Equals Murder,” originally broadcast on November 11, 1951. This is episode 493 of the CBS Pacific network series, sponsored by Signal Oil.

After Sylvia Sanford suffers a flat tire, she accepts a ride from airplane mechanic Matt Blake. Their chance encounter becomes a secret romance—and soon draws them into a dangerous plan involving Sylvia’s wealthy husband and his business aircraft. William Conrad appears with Doris Singleton, Hy Averback, and Bob Bruce.

Old Time Retro Radio presents the original broadcast with a newly produced contextual introduction, a short closing announcement, and gently cleaned...

Old Time Retro Radio presents The Whistler, “Murder Is Blind,” originally broadcast June 4, 1945. This is episode 158 of the suspense anthology series.

In this tense psychological melodrama, a woman’s jealousy and romantic rejection lead her toward a desperate course when the man she loves plans to marry another. Originally heard on the CBS Pacific network via KNX during The Whistler’s Signal Oil-sponsored run, the story explores obsession, betrayal, and the dangerous consequences of love turned possessive.

Old Time Retro Radio presents the original broadcast with a newly produced contextual introduction, a short closing announcement, and gently c...

The Whistler, “Appointment for Murder,” originally broadcast February 26, 1950, is episode 404. This surviving approximately 30-minute CBS Pacific Network broadcast comes from the series’ Signal Oil-sponsored era and features Bill Forman as The Whistler.

When a man discovers that his wife has gambled away a fortune, the strain on their marriage erupts into a dark tale of money, desperation, and murder.

Old Time Retro Radio presents the original broadcast with a newly produced contextual introduction, a short closing announcement, and gently cleaned/mastered audio for a more consistent listening experience.

Chapters:
00:00 Victor Sterling Introduction
00:40 Origin...

The Whistler, “Two and One Makes Murder,” originally broadcast May 6, 1951, is episode 466 of the CBS Pacific mystery anthology, sponsored by Signal Oil. The cast includes Jeanne Bates, John Dehner, and Wally Maher.

Mildred Wiley hopes to marry her employer, Phillip Taggart, but his marriage to another woman turns her hopes into a dangerous fixation. This compact crime drama follows the mounting tension of a troubled romantic triangle.

Old Time Retro Radio presents the original broadcast with a newly produced contextual introduction, a short closing announcement, and gently cleaned/mastered audio for a more consistent listening experience.

Old Time Retro Radio presents The Whistler, “Ticket to Murder,” originally broadcast October 30, 1949. This is episode 387 of the suspense anthology, a Signal Oil-sponsored CBS Pacific Network production written by Adrian Gendot.

In nighttime Kansas City, Eve Benton overhears a troubling argument involving a stolen necklace and soon finds herself bound for San Francisco. Aboard the train and beyond, a chance meeting, a tempting cash offer, and a web of competing secrets turn her journey into a tense game of deception. Bill Forman is credited in the cast.

Old Time Retro Radio presents the original broadcast with a ne...

From The Whistler, “Murder in Haste” (episode 196), originally broadcast February 25, 1946. Written by Eleanor Beeson, this CBS Pacific network thriller originally aired with Signal Oil sponsorship.

After a violent quarrel with his wealthy wife, Elbert Taylor flees Florida on a train bound for New York. With a suspicious detective watching and pressure mounting, he sees a dangerous opportunity to exchange identities with a celebrated mystery writer. Joseph Kearns, Gerald Mohr, and Elliott Lewis are featured, with Marvin Miller as announcer.

Old Time Retro Radio presents the original broadcast with a newly produced contextual introduction, a short closing anno...

The Whistler presents “Murder on Rourke Island,” episode 240, originally broadcast on December 30, 1946. This circa-30-minute CBS Pacific network suspense drama was sponsored by Signal Oil, with Marvin Miller as announcer and credited performers including Charles Seel and David Ellis.

On Rourke Island, Keith Brandon hopes for freedom and a future with Cathy Dunn, but a family estate and its executor stand in the way. Romance, inheritance, and family authority collide in an isolated island setting as murder casts its shadow over the estate.

Old Time Retro Radio presents the original broadcast with a newly produced contextual intr...

The Whistler presents “Death of Mr Penny,” episode 354, originally broadcast on March 20, 1949. This surviving version is cataloged as an AFRS rebroadcast of the CBS Pacific Network drama, sponsored by Signal Oil.

At Clear Valley Ski Lodge, a wealthy woman and her ski-instructor husband appear perfectly matched on the snowy slopes. But a watchful observer, hidden tensions, and blackmail soon turn the resort’s peaceful setting into a chilling crime drama. The episode was written by Adrian Gendot, directed by Gordon T. Hughes, and features Jeff Corey.

Old Time Retro Radio presents the original broadcast with a newly...

The Whistler presents “Murder of Byron Blake,” episode 250, originally broadcast on March 10, 1947. This CBS Pacific Network suspense drama was sponsored by Signal Oil and features Betty Lou Gerson and Tom Collins.

Set amid New York’s Broadway theater world, the story follows aspiring actor Leo Sanders as a long-anticipated opportunity becomes tangled with Julie Lane, her employer Gus Hackett, and successful stage performer Byron Blake. Jealousy, ambition, and misunderstandings build in this atmospheric tale of backstage intrigue.

Old Time Retro Radio presents the original broadcast with a newly produced contextual introduction, a short closing announcement, and gently...

Old Time Retro Radio presents The Whistler, “Pattern for Terror,” originally broadcast on July 16, 1945. This is episode 164 of the CBS Pacific Network mystery series, sponsored by Signal Oil.

On a rain-swept midnight drive, Ted Stratton finds himself at the wheel with a police officer beside him and troubling questions surrounding the night’s events. The Whistler guides listeners back to a tense party at a hilltop home overlooking San Francisco Bay, where pianist Larry Craig and host Norma figure in a growing atmosphere of unease. Elliott Lewis is among the verified cast.

Old Time Retro Radio presen...

The Whistler, “Death in the Air,” originally broadcast August 13, 1943, is episode 65 of the suspense anthology series. This 30-minute CBS Pacific Network presentation was a sustaining broadcast, recorded before Signal Oil became the program’s full-series sponsor later that year.

Racketeer Fred Blake has built a comfortable life while Joe Alberti, his former chauffeur, has suffered for Blake’s past. When Joe’s widow Mary confronts Blake and demands justice, mounting pressure and an old secret draw the powerful criminal into a dangerous web of suspicion.

Old Time Retro Radio presents the original broadcast with a newly produced c...

The Whistler presents “Doctor Operates in Crime,” episode 132, originally broadcast on December 4, 1944. Written by Selig Lester and produced by J. Donald Wilson, this CBS Pacific network thriller was sponsored by Signal Oil and features Bill Forman as The Whistler.

Gangster Tony Angelo arrives at the modest office of plastic surgeon Dr. Julius J. Webber with a desperate request: a new face. As crime, identity, and professional secrecy collide, the seemingly routine consultation becomes a tense and dangerous bargain.

Old Time Retro Radio presents the original broadcast with a newly produced contextual introduction, a short closing announcement, and...

The Whistler presents “Death Watch,” episode 161, originally broadcast on June 25, 1945. This CBS Pacific Network mystery was sponsored by Signal Oil and features Marvin Miller as the Whistler.

Troubled by a vivid dream, married man Oliver fears he may have harmed Lucille, the lover who had threatened to expose their affair. Returning to the suspected scene, he must confront the terrifying possibility that his nightmare was more than a dream. The cast includes Bill Johnstone, Joe DuVal, Alan Hewitt, Earle Ross, and Hal March.

Old Time Retro Radio presents the original broadcast with a newly produced contextual intr...

The Whistler presents “Design for Murder,” episode 690, originally broadcast on September 8, 1955. In this CBS suspense drama, Charles Gilbert sees his wife Edna off on vacation while making plans of his own—until Edna’s watchful friend Myreen Walker begins asking dangerous questions. The action moves from a railroad-station cocktail lounge to a beach house on Lido Isle, where suspicion and a distinctive painting take on growing importance. Bill Foreman stars as the Whistler; the episode was written and produced by Joel Malone and directed by Gordon T. Hughes.

Old Time Retro Radio presents the original broadcast with a newly pr...

The Whistler presents “Stolen Murder,” episode 220, originally broadcast on August 12, 1946. This 30-minute CBS Pacific Network drama was sponsored by Signal Oil and features William Conrad, Paul Frees, and Marvin Miller.

In St. Augustine, Florida, longtime friends and aspiring novelists Ken Braderick and Tom Barton find their shared literary dreams tested as Ken’s wife, Helen, urges him toward a Manhattan copywriting career. With illness, ambition, and a manuscript of deep personal importance in the balance, friendship and authorship become perilously intertwined. Written by Eleanor Beeson and directed by George W. Allen.

Old Time Retro Radio presents the or...

Old Time Retro Radio presents The Whistler, “Murder in Haste,” originally broadcast December 17, 1947. Episode 290 finds the CBS Pacific suspense series returning to a story written by Eleanor Beeson, with Joan Banks and David Ellis featured in the cast.

After a wealthy Miami wife dies, her troubled young husband flees north by train under the watchful eye of a suspicious detective. Hoping to leave his past behind, he finds a tempting chance to assume the identity of a celebrated mystery writer—but escape and deception bring dangers of their own. This 1947 broadcast is a remake of the series’ February 25, 1946 “Murder in...

The Whistler presents “Partners in Crime,” originally broadcast October 14, 1951. This is episode 489 of the CBS Pacific network suspense series, sponsored by Signal Oil and written by Adrian Gendot.

Two criminal partners find themselves drawn into a murder mystery involving a valuable dagger identified as having belonged to Louis XIV. As the weapon’s dangerous value raises the stakes, their partnership comes under increasing strain. The story reuses a script first heard on The Whistler in 1943.

Old Time Retro Radio presents the original broadcast with a newly produced contextual introduction, a short closing announcement, and gently cleaned and ma...

The Whistler presents “Murder Arrangement,” originally broadcast on February 25, 1951. This is episode 456 of the CBS Pacific network’s Sunday-night Signal Oil Company series, with Bill Forman as The Whistler.

Larry Simms survives a frightening roadside incident and suspects Fred Belton, a recently paroled man who believes Larry helped send him to prison. As Larry seeks help from Mildred Carson, police scrutiny and conflicting loyalties make trust increasingly dangerous. The cast includes Joan Banks, Larry Blake, and Bill Bouchey.

Old Time Retro Radio presents the original broadcast with a newly produced contextual introduction, a short closing announcement, and ge...

The Whistler presents “Undercurrent,” episode 662, originally broadcast on February 20, 1955. Written and produced by Joel Malone and directed by Gordon T. Hughes, this CBS suspense drama features Bill Forman as The Whistler, with George Neise, Jean Tatum, Jack Moyles, Gil Stratton Jr., Jack Edwards, and Shepard Menken.

Aboard the cargo ship S.S. Java Queen en route from Vancouver to San Francisco, passenger Chris Horton becomes alarmed by a man calling himself Ashcroft—someone Horton is certain cannot be who he claims. With the captain and steward supporting the stranger’s identity, Horton finds himself increasingly isolated as a calm voy...

The Whistler presents “Nightmare,” originally broadcast on November 14, 1948. This CBS Pacific Network drama, sponsored by Signal Oil, is episode 336.

After stealing $200,000, bank employee Philip Adams is injured in a crash and seeks shelter at a secluded estate near San Francisco. Mistaken for the property’s new owner by secretary Hilda Wyatt, he finds that his borrowed identity may offer safety—or place him in even greater danger.

Old Time Retro Radio presents the original broadcast with a newly produced contextual introduction, a short closing announcement, and gently cleaned/mastered audio for a more consistent listening experience.

The Whistler presents “Mirage,” episode 18, originally broadcast on CBS on September 13, 1942. This early Signal Oil-sponsored installment features Bill Forman as The Whistler and was written and produced by J. Donald Wilson.

Attorney Fred Adams hopes to leave his nightclub and underworld connections behind as he pursues a more respectable future. But Gloria, the nightclub manager who helped finance his education, has other ideas—and their shared past becomes a dangerous source of pressure.

Old Time Retro Radio presents the original broadcast with a newly produced contextual introduction, a short closing announcement, and gently cleaned/mastered audio for a...

The Whistler presents “Deal with Death,” originally broadcast May 29, 1949. This CBS Pacific Network drama, sponsored by Signal Oil, is episode 365 of the series.

San Francisco newspaper reporter Scott Rainey becomes consumed by jealousy over his wife Evelyn’s apparent relationship with Matt Cregan, a fellow reporter and longtime rival. As signs emerge that someone may be trying to kill Scott, suspicion, professional rivalry, and deception collide. Written by Steve Hampton and featuring Frank Lovejoy.

Old Time Retro Radio presents the original broadcast with a newly produced contextual introduction, a short closing announcement, and gently cleaned/mastered audio...

Old Time Retro Radio presents The Whistler, “X Marks the Murderer,” originally broadcast on August 20, 1945. This is episode 169 of the suspense anthology series.

In an unnamed city shaken by a string of seemingly motiveless murders, housewife Mimi Cass believes she has discovered a pattern others have missed. Her theory draws her into a tense crime-and-fate mystery written by Joseph Cochran, produced by George W. Allen, and originally heard on the CBS Pacific Network with Signal Oil sponsorship.

Old Time Retro Radio presents the original broadcast with a newly produced contextual introduction, a short closing announcement, and gent...

Old Time Retro Radio presents The Whistler, “Grave Secret,” originally broadcast on February 27, 1949. This CBS Pacific Network drama, sponsored by Signal Oil, is episode 351 and was written by Steve Hampton. Bill Forman stars as the Whistler, with Gerald Mohr and Mary Lansing featured.

At the Eldridge home, Harriet Eldridge depends on a steady flow of letters to preserve a carefully arranged absence. When her employer’s niece arrives unexpectedly from Australia, the household’s quiet routine gives way to uneasy questions, family complications, and growing suspicion.

Old Time Retro Radio presents the original broadcast with a newly pr...

The Whistler presents “Death Laughs Last,” episode 176, originally broadcast on October 8, 1945. This 30-minute CBS Pacific Network drama was sponsored by Signal Oil and features Elliott Lewis.

After sending a letter to a newspaper confessing his crimes, a man abruptly changes his plans—and faces a desperate race to retrieve the message before it reaches the editor’s desk.

Old Time Retro Radio presents the original broadcast with a newly produced contextual introduction, a short closing announcement, and gently cleaned/mastered audio for a more consistent listening experience.

Chapters:
00:00 Victor Sterling Introduction
00:37 Original Broadcas...

The Whistler, “The Secret of Chalk Point,” originally broadcast on CBS on September 7, 1952, is episode 536. This late-era Signal Oil-sponsored mystery was written by Adrian Gendot and features Bill Forman as the Whistler, with Raymond Burr among the cast.

At fogbound Chalk Point, Kay Fowler finds a dazed young man washed ashore near the isolated Yaeger House. His claim that the house is his home—and that he is the long-lost husband of its elderly owner—draws Kay and deputy sheriff Jess Williams into a chilling coastal mystery.

Old Time Retro Radio presents the original broadcast with a newly...

Old Time Retro Radio presents The Whistler, “Deadly Innocent,” originally broadcast July 2, 1945. Episode 162 of the CBS Pacific Network suspense series was sponsored by Signal Oil and features Bill Forman as The Whistler.

At the Mammoth Construction Company, meek employee Lambert Bean carries a grievance that has been building for twenty-five years. During a late-night visit to the offices, he sets a carefully calculated plan in motion—one shaped by resentment, appearances, and the risks of relying too completely on preparation.

Old Time Retro Radio presents the original broadcast with a newly produced contextual introduction, a short closin...

The Whistler presents “Death in Sixteen Millimeter,” originally broadcast July 17, 1949. This archival episode is commonly listed as episode 372, though some surviving catalogs differ on the numbering. Jack Petruzzi and Virginia Gregg are featured.

Along the Southern California coast, Paul Benton’s secret romance and troubled marriage collide when a sailboat outing, a Malibu beach house, and a 16-millimeter camera create a dangerous record of private lives. Originally heard on the CBS Pacific Network with Signal Oil sponsorship, this tense coastal melodrama follows the consequences of money, suspicion, and filmed evidence.

Old Time Retro Radio presents the origin...

The Whistler presents “Warm Reception,” originally broadcast November 19, 1950. This is episode 442 of the CBS Pacific Network suspense series, sponsored by Signal Oil.

After ten years away, Greg Fallon returns to Twin Pines expecting to renew old friendships. Instead, a nighttime train journey and an uneasy homecoming stir up memories of a long-ago killing, strained relationships, and growing suspicion. Gerald Mohr stars, with Bill Forman as the Whistler; the script was written by Adrian Gendot.

Old Time Retro Radio presents the original broadcast with a newly produced contextual introduction, a short closing announcement, and gently cleaned/mastered audi...

The Whistler, “Question of Murder,” originally broadcast August 4, 1948, is episode 321 of the CBS Pacific Network suspense series. Written by Beth Barnes, the Signal Oil-sponsored drama features Laurette Fillbrandt and Bill Forman.

Newlywed Carol Randolph returns from her honeymoon with Ted to the old house tied to his former marriage. As Carol learns more about Ted’s first wife, unsettling details begin to shadow their new life together.

Old Time Retro Radio presents the original broadcast with a newly produced contextual introduction, a short closing announcement, and gently cleaned/mastered audio for a more consistent listening experience.
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The Whistler presents “Brief Pause for Murder,” originally broadcast on September 11, 1949. Episode 380 of the CBS Pacific network suspense series was sponsored by Signal Oil and produced by Sterling Tracy.

Radio announcer Roger Wickson devises a dangerous plan to escape an unhappy marriage by using the routines of a live broadcast and a carefully prepared recording as an alibi. Featuring William Conrad, Frank Nelson, and Mary Lansing, this tense noir tale turns a radio station and the Wickson household into stages for mounting suspense.

Old Time Retro Radio presents the original broadcast with a newly produced contextual intr...

The Whistler presents “Death Pays a Visit,” episode 159, originally broadcast on June 11, 1945. This CBS Pacific network mystery anthology episode was sponsored by Signal Oil and written by Lewis Reed.

A young bank assistant manager faces a desperate $10,000 shortfall just as his cheerful cousin arrives for a weekend visit carrying that exact amount in cash. Set between the Crowleys’ home and Sellers National Bank, this tense domestic melodrama stars Marvin Miller and Elliott Lewis.

Old Time Retro Radio presents the original broadcast with a newly produced contextual introduction, a short closing announcement, and gently cleaned/mastered audio for a...

The Whistler presents “The Ambassador,” episode 668, originally broadcast on March 31, 1955.

This suspense anthology installment centers on the enigmatic figure suggested by its title, “The Ambassador.” Old Time Retro Radio presents the original broadcast with a newly produced contextual introduction, a short closing announcement, and gently cleaned/mastered audio for a more consistent listening experience.

Chapters:
00:00 Victor Sterling Introduction
00:21 Original Broadcast
20:37 Closing

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The Whistler presents “Ambition Perilous,” episode 171, originally broadcast on September 3, 1945. This 30-minute CBS Pacific Network drama was sponsored by Signal Oil and produced by George W. Allen.

A scheming politician tries to further his career by offering a job to an ex-convict he once helped send to prison. Starring Bill Forman and Bob Anderson, the tense arrangement soon brings consequences neither man can easily control.

Old Time Retro Radio presents the original broadcast with a newly produced contextual introduction, a short closing announcement, and gently cleaned/mastered audio for a more consistent listening experience.

Chap...

The Whistler presents “Man in the Way,” originally broadcast June 8, 1952. Episode 523 of the CBS Pacific Network crime anthology was sponsored by Signal Oil and written by Shirley Gordon.

Private detective Max Tyler takes what appears to be a routine assignment: follow the husband of a wealthy, suspicious client. But when the case intersects with his own personal life, jealousy and danger quickly complicate the investigation. Les Tremayne stars in this tense tale of suspicion, surveillance, and murder.

Old Time Retro Radio presents the original broadcast with a newly produced contextual introduction, a short closing announcement, and gent...

The Whistler presents “Fatal Fraud,” originally broadcast May 22, 1949, as episode 364. This 30-minute CBS Pacific Network mystery was sponsored by Signal Oil and features Paul Frees, Cathy Lewis, and Gerald Mohr.

In Hong Kong, a gifted voice impersonator is recruited for a daring fraud involving an incoming flight from Manila and a valuable cash consignment. A counterfeit voice, a change of destination, and mounting suspicion turn the plan into a dangerous game of deception. Written by Joel Malone and Adrian Gendot, and directed by George W. Allen.

Old Time Retro Radio presents the original broadcast with a newl...

https://www.oldtimeretroradio.comThis episode features The Whistler - Whistler Fatal Fraud [episode 364] Broadcast 5/22/1949, a restored classic from the golden age of radio. A classic old time radio broadcast from the golden age of radio, featuring original radio drama, authentic performances, and timeless storytelling. These historic programs reflect an era when radio was the heart of home entertainment, delivering mystery, suspense, westerns, comedy, and unforgettable performances through sound alone.Source: OTRR dot org – Certified Public Domain Collection.Curated by Old Time Retro Radio.🎧 Listen to Old Time Retro Radio on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3binEp...

https://www.oldtimeretroradio.comThis episode features The Whistler - Whistler Best Man [episode 385] Broadcast 10/16/1949, a restored classic from the golden age of radio. A classic old time radio broadcast from the golden age of radio, featuring original radio drama, authentic performances, and timeless storytelling. These historic programs reflect an era when radio was the heart of home entertainment, delivering mystery, suspense, westerns, comedy, and unforgettable performances through sound alone.Source: OTRR dot org – Certified Public Domain Collection.Curated by Old Time Retro Radio.🎧 Listen to Old Time Retro Radio on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3binEp...