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The Whistler: Classic Radio Drama

Presented by OTR.FM

Welcome to The Whistler: Classic Radio Drama, featuring the complete collection of this iconic suspense series that captivated audiences from 1942 to 1955. The Whistler was a unique radio series where a mysterious narrator, known only as "The Whistler," would introduce stories of ordinary people caught in extraordinary circumstances. Each episode began with his haunting 13-note whistle and the chilling words: "I am the Whistler, and I know many things, for I walk by night." These tales of suspense, murder, and psychological drama featured stories of greed, jealousy, revenge, and the dark corners of the human psyche. What made The Whistler special was its focus on the criminal's perspective, often revealing the perpetrator's thoughts and motivations as their carefully laid plans inevitably unraveled. Join us for this comprehensive collection of classic radio drama, meticulously restored and presented for modern listeners who appreciate timeless storytelling and masterful suspense.

507 episodes

  1. Episode 293: Comeback

    Nov 13, 2024 · 30 min

    In this episode of The Whistler, titled 'Comeback,' the faded matinee idol John Maynard seeks to revive his career by convincing Oliver Stanley to cast him in a new play. However, when Oliver and Lewis Cook, his understudy, remove him from the production, John hatches a plan for revenge. He returns to the theater to take over Lewis's role and commits a double murder on stage during the performance. Despite his careful planning, a homicide detective reveals that John's plan went awry when the full speech was unexpectedly reinstated, leading to his arrest for the murders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  2. Episode 292: The First Year

    Nov 12, 2024 · 30 min

    In the episode titled 'The First Year', Lydia Winters reflects on the beginning of her marriage to Elliot Larkin, guided by her uncle's will. As they reach the first year of their marriage, Lydia hatches a plan to benefit from her uncle's will by orchestrating Elliot's death. However, her plan is eventually foiled when it is revealed that Elliot had taken a different identity on a doomed plane, leading to a dramatic confession and arrest. The episode unfolds a tale of manipulation, betrayal, and a deadly attempt to exploit a large inheritance. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  3. Episode 291: Decision

    Nov 11, 2024 · 30 min

    Dr. Evans, a respected physician, becomes embroiled in a complex love affair when he meets Carol Cameron, whose husband is seriously ill. As events unfold, Dr. Evans is forced to make difficult decisions that lead to unexpected and tragic consequences. A sudden death, a suspicious housekeeper, and a surprise confession all play a part in this gripping tale of love, betrayal, and ultimate redemption. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  4. Episode 290: Murder in Haste

    Nov 10, 2024 · 30 min

    In this chilling episode of The Whistler, a man named Albert Taylor is trapped in a toxic marriage with a wealthy woman, Helen. Frustrated and feeling cornered, Albert resorts to desperate measures, including an elaborate scheme involving a train wreck and assuming another man's identity. As the mystery unfolds, secrets from Buenos Aires are revealed, ultimately leading to a shocking and unexpected conclusion. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  5. Episode 289: Wedding Gift

    Nov 9, 2024 · 30 min

    In this episode, the protagonist, Chris, is preparing for her wedding and is visited by two people from her past, Edgar and Marion, who threaten her life. Chris tries to warn her husband, John, and seeks help from the phone operator but soon discovers that John and the operator are actually in on the plan to harm her. The episode ends with Chris realizing she has been deceived and is left in dire circumstances. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  6. Episode 286: Dark Moon

    Nov 7, 2024 · 29 min

    In this episode of The Whistler, titled 'Dark Moon,' Hollywood actor Russell Benton receives a life-changing opportunity when he is chosen for a leading role in the film 'Dark Moon.' However, his excitement turns to unease when he discovers that his ex-wife, Kathy Ellsworth, who is married to the movie producer, is determined to have another actor, Don Bradford, cast in the role instead. Fearing that his newfound success is at stake, Russell takes drastic measures and faces a moral dilemma that leads to a tragic and unexpected outcome, ultimately affecting the lives of everyone involved. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  7. Episode 284: The Big Prison

    Nov 6, 2024 · 30 min

    In this episode of The Whistler, John Emerson recalls the events that led to a harrowing experience involving a chance meeting with Willard Crofton in Ketchikan, Alaska. As the nightmare of his past flashes before him, John must navigate a delicate schedule to ensure his escape from the Alaska prison before Crofton's body is discovered. Along the way, he encounters obstacles and dangers, including a close call with a familiar face, but ultimately manages to outmaneuver the situation and secure his freedom. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  8. Episode 283: The Back Door

    Nov 5, 2024 · 30 min

    In this episode, criminal lawyer Edward Crane is on trial for the murder of his wife Ruth. Crane, who is also in love with another woman, has a master plan to secure his freedom and start a new life with his lover. As the trial progresses, it becomes clear that there are many unexpected twists and turns, including the shocking truth about Ruth's disappearance and the surprising actions of the defendants. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  9. Episode 282: A Case for Mister Carrington

    Nov 4, 2024 · 30 min

    Gordon Stone finds himself entangled in a dangerous love affair and a business deal involving a sugar plantation in Jamaica. As tensions rise, secrets are revealed, and a unforeseen murder sends Gordon's carefully laid plans spiraling out of control. When he believes he has committed the perfect crime, he implicates an innocent man, setting off a chain of events that reveals the true perpetrator. In a shocking turn of events, Gordon's plan to secure his future comes crashing down around him. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  10. Episode 281: Man of Distinction

    Nov 3, 2024 · 29 min

    In this episode of The Whistler, Tony Gardner, a furniture salesman, becomes entangled in a web of deceit and fraud after selling a counterfeit antique dining room set to a wealthy customer. As he attempts to cover his tracks and avoid being exposed, his actions lead to unexpected consequences and suspicion. Ultimately, his desperate attempts to save himself from ruin only deepen his troubles. The episode is filled with suspense, intrigue, and a shocking turn of events. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  11. Episode 280: Career Man

    Nov 2, 2024 · 30 min

    Charles Connolly, an ambitious and self-serving individual, delivers a persuasive speech at a conference to impress business leaders. But when he and his wife Sheila get involved in a hit-and-run accident on a stormy night, Charles's desperate attempt to cover up the incident leads to unexpected consequences. As the police investigation unfolds, Charles finds himself unexpectedly entangled in a web of deceit and blackmail, eventually resorting to a drastic measure to protect his career. However, a shocking revelation regarding the identity of his victim and a twist of fate expose the truth behind the sinister events, unraveling Charles's carefully constructed plan. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  12. Episode 278: Sleep My Pretty One

    Nov 1, 2024 · 30 min

    In this episode of The Whistler, titled 'Sleep My Pretty One,' Jean and her fiancé Max become entangled in a dangerous experiment with a life-saving drug. After a fortune teller predicts a dire fate for Jean's future, Max is determined to prove the effectiveness of his drug against sleeping sickness. Their isolated rural laboratory becomes a stage for Max's risky and secretive experimentation, leading to a dramatic and unexpected conclusion. The episode features themes of love, sacrifice, and the clash between scientific pursuit and ethical considerations. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  13. Episode 276: Bridge on Black Mountain

    Oct 31, 2024 · 30 min

    Delbert, assistant to the curator of the Prescott Museum, daydreams of a better life with Miss Francis. When Mr. Gorman from the National Historical Institute visits, Delbert discovers discrepancies in museum expenses. Fearing dismissal, Delbert learns from Dr. Prescott that he's no longer curator. In a panic, Delbert resolves to manipulate the situation and frames Frank Spiegel for theft. Delbert's plan unravels as Dr. Prescott confronts him. Ultimately, a fatal accident at the bridge on Black Mountain reveals Delbert's deceit, leading to a tense realization of the consequences. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  14. Episode 275: The Eleventh Hour

    Oct 30, 2024 · 30 min

    In this episode of The Whistler, an intriguing tale unfolds as a man named Leslie Garthwaite becomes entangled in a web of deceit and desperation. It all begins with a chance encounter with a woman named Cynthia Townsend at a resort hotel in Torquay. As their two-week romance reaches its end, Leslie finds himself torn between his mundane married life and the allure of a new love. With the promise of wealth and romance, Leslie's actions take a dark turn, leading to a chilling conclusion in a murder trial at the Old Bailey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  15. Episode 274: Curtain Call

    Oct 29, 2024 · 30 min

    In this episode of The Whistler, Martin Elliott, an aspiring actor, experiences a sudden turn of events when he learns of a play written for him by a famous playwright. However, following the unexpected death of the playwright, he faces a series of challenges, including a strained relationship with his wife Julia. When tragedy strikes, he tries to seize an opportunity to further his career, but his plan takes unexpected turns, leading to a chilling and dramatic conclusion. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  16. Episode 273: Girl Next Door

    Oct 28, 2024 · 30 min

    Alma Germain, a former celebrity, finds herself entangled in a web of lies and deceit as she navigates the complexities of her love life. When confronted with an unexpected turn of events, Alma's desperate actions lead to a tragic outcome, unraveling her carefully guarded secrets in a surprising twist of fate. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  17. Episode 272: Whispered Verdict

    Oct 27, 2024 · 30 min

    In this episode of The Whistler, Edith Glenby finds herself on trial for the murder of her husband. Despite being acquitted, she struggles to clear her name and gain access to her late husband's estate. Edith devises a plan to frame her gardener, Andy, by planting evidence in his room. However, her plans take a surprising turn when Edith is found dead in the garden with a missing carving knife, revealing that she had it all along. The whispered verdict of guilt is reversed, and the truth about the murder is uncovered. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  18. Episode 271: Dark Future

    Oct 26, 2024 · 30 min

    In this episode of The Whistler, titled 'Dark Future', Hal Parker is caught in a web of deceit and danger after visiting a fortune teller at a carnival. When the fortune teller reveals knowledge of a past crime, Hal is forced to make a desperate decision to save himself. As events unfold, the truth behind the fortune teller's revelations comes to light in a surprising turn of events, revealing the unexpected identity of the so-called psychic and the secrets he was hiding. The story is a thrilling and suspenseful tale of manipulation, betrayal, and ultimately, the uncovering of the truth. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  19. Episode 270: Borrowed Byline

    Oct 25, 2024 · 30 min

    In this episode, Craig McKelvey, a former foreign correspondent, encounters Alphonse Cylindrum who offers him a deal involving a valuable substance called Tibetan musk. McKelvey agrees to file a false dispatch in exchange for a substantial payment. However, the situation takes a drastic turn when McKelvey's replacement, Frank Park's Lee, arrives in Hong Kong. McKelvey seizes the opportunity to assume Park's Lee's identity and plan a murder to cover his tracks. However, unexpected events unfold, leading to a surprising revelation and a tense confrontation with the authorities. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  20. Episode 268: Beyond Reasonable Doubt

    Oct 24, 2024 · 29 min

    In this episode of The Whistler, titled 'Beyond Reasonable Doubt,' Gina, a wealthy and fashionable woman, is haunted by a dark secret from her past in Seattle. When she is unexpectedly called to serve on a jury, she finds herself facing the ghosts of her past as she becomes the foreman of the jury in a murder trial. As the trial progresses, Gina begins to realize that her past is catching up with her in unexpected ways, leading to a shocking revelation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  21. Episode 267: The Two Lives of Colby Fletcher

    Oct 23, 2024 · 30 min

    Colby Fletcher, a desperate and cunning man, faces a crucial decision as his plan to fake his own death and collect a large insurance payout is jeopardized by the unexpected absence of his designated impersonator. In a last-minute gambit, he attempts to run over a stranger on the highway in order to force his participation in the scheme. However, the stranger ends up in the seat beside him, unsuspecting of Colby's intentions. With the expiration of his insurance protection looming, Colby takes extreme measures to secure the impostor's cooperation, only to have his plan unravel in unforeseen ways, leading to explosive and unexpected consequences. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  22. Episode 265: The Gentle Way

    Oct 22, 2024 · 30 min

    In this episode of The Whistler, Bruce Reimer, a scientist at the Barker Institute of Biological Research, eagerly anticipates a promotion, but is disheartened when another colleague, Cliff Cardigan, is appointed as the new administrator ahead of him. Consumed by jealousy and a desire for revenge, Reimer orchestrates a series of events to frame Jules Emery, another researcher, for Cardigan's murder. However, things take a dark turn when it is revealed that Emery has confessed to the murder, claiming that he poisoned Cardigan's cigars with a deadly toxin he had invented. The truth unfolds in a chilling twist as the elaborate plan backfires on Reimer, leading to a shocking outcome. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  23. Episode 264: Ambassador of Death

    Oct 21, 2024 · 30 min

    In this episode of The Whistler, titled 'Ambassador of Death,' Gerald Sanders, a consular officer in the diplomatic service, attends a party at Helena Forsythe's elegant drawing room where he discusses his aspirations for an important diplomatic appointment with Mrs. Forsythe and another diplomat, Eric Thomas. As the competition heats up and deception unfolds, Gerald is willing to go to extreme lengths to secure the appointment, even resorting to a cunning and deadly plan that ultimately backfires. The episode is filled with political intrigue, manipulation, and a surprising twist that reveals the true motivations behind the characters' actions. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  24. Episode 263: Juggernaut

    Oct 20, 2024 · 30 min

    In the small town of Hampton Crossing, a terrible mistake leads to mob violence and death, with the sheriff unable to stop the mob's actions. The story centers around brothers Josh and Henry Ellerby, and a complex web of embezzlement, jealousy, and betrayal. As events unfold, the true nature of the townspeople, the law, and the characters is revealed, culminating in a shocking and tragic end that leaves a lasting impact on the town. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  25. Episode 262: Caesars Wife

    Oct 19, 2024 · 30 min

    In this episode, Frank Conway, a powerful and feared man, discovers that his wife, Gloria, is having an affair. In a fit of rage and jealousy, he plans and commits a murder. However, his plan backfires when he cuts his hand during the act, revealing his hidden condition of hemophilia. As he desperately awaits medical help, he learns that the man his wife hired to be near him has been murdered, adding to his confusion and despair. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.