Old Time Radio: The Whistler (1942)

A few years ago, I received a compilation of two episodes of a relatively obscure radio series, The Whistler. I had never heard of this show before, and Radio Spirits was virtually giving these tapes away.

It turns out the show was a regional entry, based out of California, and broadcast in that area on CBS Radio. A number of actors, including Bill Forman, Gale Gordon, and Joseph Kearns, served as the voice of the Whistler, who narrated each episode. It was successful enough, such that a series of feature films were released during the 40's, and, subsequently, the series transitioned to television, which we've discussed before, with Forman reprising in the title role.

Because the Whistler doesn't take an active role in any of the stories, he comes across similarly to the "hosts" of horror comics in later years, from EC to Marvel to Warren to DC.

Right now, we're going to take a trip back in time to 1951 and the episode, "Kind Thought".

Rating: B.