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The Whistler. . .

Author	Comment
mmoaks		#21	[-]
Nov 13 07 6:17 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Richard Dix really was a lousy actor. Lousy's a little strong, I'd say he's serviceable but certainly not a standout. But I do kind of chuckle at all the mooning the women do over him in POWER OF THE WHISTLER as Dix was certainly past his leading man prime in this series, yet Janis Carter keeps acting like he's Tyrone Power. Mike O'Connor * * * * * The Cubs made me a criminal, sent me down a wayward path, they stole my youth from me -Steve Goodman
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John M Short		#22	[-]
Nov 13 07 6:27 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Doc Carruthers wrote: I think we need the Sony folks to see this...they have Columbia, isn't that correct fellas? My bad. Sorry guys. I was thinking these were from RKO, for some reason.
Lawrence Nepodahl		#23	[-]
Nov 13 07 9:08 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	I would tend to agree about Richard Dix's acting abilitites. But, for an actor at that time, he was allowed to play various and diverse parts in this series. Unlike, let's say, The Crime Doctor, who had to be the same guy picture after picture. I will say this about Dix, he had an interesting face. Sort of like a filled out Francis X. Bushman.
Tor havin fun		#24	[-]
Nov 19 07 1:27 AM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Butcher Benton wrote: I would really like to see Sony put these films out in a DVD set with some boffo special features. I cannot imagine what they would do for extras - a gallery of x-rays of Richard Dix's jaw? As with the Chaney Jr Inner Sanctums, I would be thrilled just for them to come out.
Butcher Benton	Whistler Special Features	#25	[-]
Nov 19 07 4:43 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Here's a couple of my notions: A bio of Richard Dix who led a somewhat tragic life, bio stuff on William Castle and Lew Landers who directed many of the Whistler movies, the origin of the Whistler from the radio program, into the Columbia series and then television during the 1950's, a histography on the Columbia "B" unit, and a presentation on why the Whistler series can be retrospectively considered as film noir.
Lawrence Nepodahl		#26	[-]
Nov 19 07 11:42 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Like on some DVDs I've purchased, they could add one or two of the best of the radio shows. One entitled- "Brief Pause For Murder" is a good example. This story concerns a radio announcer who wants to kill his wife. The twist ending is unforgetable.
Tim Lucas VW		#27	[-]
Nov 24 07 3:31 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	As an actor, Richard Dix reminds me a LOT of George Reeves. The outward brawn, the air of courtesy, the steely eye, the way with the ladies. I wouldn't call either of them a great actor, but I like them onscreen. Unfortunately, Reeves never had a part as good as Dix had in THE GHOST SHIP.
TomWeaver999		#28	[-]
Nov 24 07 4:21 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Robert Dix could talk about his dad. And Oscar-nominated cinematographer Richard Kline (CAMELOT, the 1976 KING KONG, etc.) could talk about working on Columbia B-movies of the 1940s (as assistant cameraman) and about his pal William Castle, etc.; Kline worked on several WHISTLERs and other early Castle movies.
Butcher Benton	More Whistler	#29	[-]
Nov 25 07 8:23 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	...and Stanley Rubin could discuss writing yarns for the Whistler radio show, one of which he dusted off and sold for Decoy (1946)
Bill Warren		#30	[-]
Nov 25 07 9:42 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	The Whistler's introduction: I am the Whistler, and I know many things, for I walk by night. I know many strange tales, many secrets hidden in the hearts of men and women who have stepped into the shadows. I know the nameless terrors of which they dare not speak. I'm old enough to have heard original WHISTLER shows when they were first broadcast; I loved the shows, even though they scared at least a few bejabbers out of me. I even remember that the Whistler's whistled theme had an extension with lyrics even: "Sig Nal Gas O LEEN" Jack Benny did a great parody of THE WHISTLER, which included this: "I am the Fiddler... I play by night. I influence the lives of innocent people. And sometimes I even drive them to murder... mwa-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha!",
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LCranston		#31	[-]
Dec 4 07 10:01 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	And don't forget Benny's terrific mangling of the Whistler/Fiddler theme on his violin. Kinda interesting to note that The Whistler was picked as a recurring object for parody on the Jack Benny show, it shows how popular the series obviously was at the time. Were they on the same network? And did Dix ever guest on the Whistler radio series? "I live the unknown, I love the unknown... I AM the unknown."
MyDarkSide		#32	[-]
Dec 5 07 6:55 AM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	The only thing I've seen Dix in is The Ghost Ship and wasn't exactly thrilled, so based on that notion, would I be further disappointed by The Whistler series?
Lawrence Nepodahl		#33	[-]
Dec 6 07 2:32 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	And did Dix ever guest on the Whistler radio series? The only radio program I ever heard Richard Dix on was- "Suspense." Off-hand, I forget the title, but it was written by one of my favorite myster writers- John Dickson Carr.
DrPaulArmstrong		#34	[-]
Dec 6 07 9:49 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Tim Lucas VW wrote: As an actor, Richard Dix reminds me a LOT of George Reeves. The outward brawn, the air of courtesy, the steely eye, the way with the ladies. I wouldn't call either of them a great actor, but I like them onscreen. Unfortunately, Reeves never had a part as good as Dix had in THE GHOST SHIP. I've always felt Reeves was an understated actor. Even on SUPERMAN there seemed a wry intelligence just below the surface. I agree about GHOST SHIP, Tim, I thought Dix was terrific in it. And I guess we're in the minority--I've enjoyed him in five WHISTLER films so far.
JessieLilley		#35	[-]
Dec 7 07 1:08 AM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Oh, I wish I had a pencil-thin mustache... the Boston Blackie kind..... Ya' know, when I saw this thread I thought you were talking about the radio series and found a discussion of films. But Bill and pals brought the radio in, bless them. Oddly enough, the only Whistler episode I ever heard was one I don't even know the name of. I heard it on air in LA back around 2000 or so and came in after it had started and had to leave before it was over. Anyway, it was a blast. And it infuriated me that I could never find it again! I was prepared to sit and listen to the radio every week but for some reason I never again found that station. Perhaps I was dreaming. Anyway, I never saw any of the films. Perhaps it's time to check them out. It IS November after all. Larry, I agree with you about Reeves. He was darling in Gone With The Wind. So young and handsome, and c'mon now fellas. Ol' George couldn't have gotten through the Superman gig without a brain. You have to know what you're doing to not go 'way over the top on something like that. Witness that jackass that player Batman in the 60s. He hasn't a patch on Reeves and the proof is in the pudding. Or is that roll? Role? I'm gonna get a beer. Last Edited By: JessieLilley Dec 7 07 1:15 AM. Edited 2 times.
otrfan	The Whistler on TCM	#36	[-]
Jan 4 08 2:31 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Just a reminder. All Times Eastern. Saturday 01/05/08 10:00 AM Whistler, The (1944) 11:15 AM Power of the Whistler, The (1945) Saturday 01/12/08 10:00 AM Voice of the Whistler (1945) 11:15 AM Mysterious Intruder, The (1946) Saturday 01/19/08 10:00 AM Secret of the Whistler, The (1946) 11:15 AM Return of the Whistler, The (1948)
HalLane		#37	[-]
Jan 4 08 9:38 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	I love Sarurday mornings
Tim Lucas VW		#38	[-]
Jan 5 08 2:43 AM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	TCM's schedule is leaving out the same WHISTLER movies excluded from their earlier airings. I hope MARK OF THE WHISTLER and THE THIRTEENTH HOUR turn up on their schedule at some point.
GaryP11111		#39	[-]
Jan 5 08 1:31 PM Burgomaster Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	I noticed something odd in VOICE OF THE WHISTLER when it aired on TCM. (There's a bit of spoiler here, necessary in the description, so if you don't want to know a plot point, please read no further.) When Dix's rival for the affection of Dix's nurse/wife murderously sneaks up on the bed where he thinks Dix is sleeping, I noticed that the bed is matted into the scene. If you look carefully, even though he is approaching the matted-in bed from behind you can tell he was approaching the original bed from the front. But in the next scene he is obviously behind the bed. In the previous scene it appears they matted the bed into the front so that it would then appear the prospective killer is approaching it from behind making it consistant with the subsequent shot. That seems to be a lot of trouble to make the continuity match, so perhaps there was another reason. GARY L. PRANGE "Sic gorgiamus allos subjectos nunc." Check out my YouTube Video of the Week! (updated 8-3-09)
Bill Lydig		#40	[-]
Jul 10 08 10:11 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Hopefully everyone's seen the linked article in the DVD subforum but our own Precode (Mike S) has announced: "They can send any notes to me at michael_schlesinger@spe.sony.com and I guarantee they'll be forwarded to the Powers That Be. Even a handful of letters can indeed make an impact." Mr. S has previously gone on record as saying the Lone Wolf series is under consideration. I'm sure readers of this folder would like to see the Whistler and other Columbia series released also. If so, please drop him a brief and respectful line requesting these!
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The Whistler. . .