The Whistler Film Noir Collection

The Whistler (1944)

Despondent after his wife’s disappearance at sea, Earl Conrad (Richard Dix) can’t bring himself to suicide, so he hires a hit man to do the deed when he won’t expect it. What happens when his spouse turns up alive...and he can’t reach the killer to call off the deal? The first of the Dix-headlined Columbia "B"s inspired by the popular radio suspense anthology co-stars Gloria Stuart, J. Carrol Naish; William Castle directs. 59 min. BW/Rtg: NR

The Power Of The Whistler (1945)

Taking pity on an amnesiac (Richard Dix) wandering the streets, fortune teller Jean Lang (Janis Carter) resolves to help him, and attempts to piece together a trail to his identity and past through the few items he has in his pockets. The further she probes, though, dangers emerge that weren’t in the cards. Third series entry also stars Jeff Donnell, Tala Birell, Nina Mae McKinney. 66 min. BW/Rtg: NR

Voice of the Whistler (1945)

Industrialist John Sinclair (Richard Dix) had everything, except loved ones...and his health. He entreats his nurse (Lynn Merrick) to marry him, and be his sole heir...and her broke intern fiancé (James Cardwell) tells her to accept. After six months, the supposedly dying man is hale and hearty...and the desperate doctor wants to accelerate nature’s course. Fourth series entry co-stars Rhys Williams, Tom Kennedy; William Castle directs. 60 min. BW/Rtg: NR

Mysterious Intruder (1946)

Disreputable private eye Don Gale (Richard Dix) is engaged by an elderly music store owner to track down a woman he had last seen as a teenager, so she can receive a shadowy--but substantial--legacy. Gale’s bid to have a lady friend (Helen Mowery) pose as the heiress will end in multiple tragedies being recorded. Fifth "Whistler" whodunit co-stars Barton MacLane, Regis Toomey, Mike Mazurki, Charles Lane; William Castle directs. 61 min. BW/Rtg: NR

The Secret Of The Whistler (1946)

Dilettante artist Ralph Harrison (Richard Dix) had it all covered, between a wealthy, indulgent--and dying--wife (Mary Currier), and a gorgeous model (Leslie Brooks) on the side. When his sickly spouse finds out about the affair, though, the pernicious painter decides to speed things along before the will gets amended! Sixth series entry also stars Mona Barrie, Michael Duane. 65 min. BW/Rtg: NR

The Thirteenth Hour (1947)

Trucking magnate Steve Reynolds (Richard Dix) was well used to underhanded dealings from his competitors. Things reached a new low when one of his vehicles was used to run down a cop...and evidence was planted making it seem like he was the one behind the wheel. Can he avoid the manhunt and clear his name before he’s next-day delivered to prison? Seventh "Whistler" film, and Dix’s screen farewell, co-stars Karen Morley, Regis Toomey. 65 min. BW/Rtg: NR

The Return Of The Whistler (1945)

Having fallen into a whirlwind courtship with a beautiful widow (Lenore Aubert), engineer Ted Nichols (Michael Duane) agreed to separate hotel rooms before going to the justice of the peace. The next morning, however, finds her vanished...and the inn staff pleading ignorance. A PI (Richard Lane) offers his help to the distraught bridegroom in the eighth and final series entry; Olin Howlin, Ann Doran also star. 60 min. BW/Rtg: NR

Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono.