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IMDbPro

The Whistler

  • 19441944
  • PassedPassed
  • 59m
IMDb RATING
6.3/10
1K
YOUR RATING
Gloria Stuart, Alan Dinehart, Richard Dix, and J. Carrol Naish in The Whistler (1944)
Film-NoirMystery
A depressed man hires an assassin to kill him when he least expects it, but when his life takes an upward turn, he finds he now wishes to live.A depressed man hires an assassin to kill him when he least expects it, but when his life takes an upward turn, he finds he now wishes to live.A depressed man hires an assassin to kill him when he least expects it, but when his life takes an upward turn, he finds he now wishes to live.
IMDb RATING
6.3/10
1K
YOUR RATING
    • William Castle
    • J. Donald Wilson(based on the CBS Radio Program by)
    • Eric Taylor(screenplay)
  • Stars
    • Richard Dix
    • Gloria Stuart
    • J. Carrol Naish
    • William Castle
    • J. Donald Wilson(based on the CBS Radio Program by)
    • Eric Taylor(screenplay)
  • Stars
    • Richard Dix
    • Gloria Stuart
    • J. Carrol Naish
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 32User reviews
    • 16Critic reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
  • Photos12

    Trevor Bardette and Richard Dix in The Whistler (1944)
    Richard Dix and J. Carrol Naish in The Whistler (1944)
    Gloria Stuart, Richard Dix, and J. Carrol Naish in The Whistler (1944)
    Richard Dix in The Whistler (1944)
    J. Carrol Naish in The Whistler (1944)
    The Whistler (1944)
    Richard Dix and Joan Woodbury in The Whistler (1944)
    Trevor Bardette and Richard Dix in The Whistler (1944)
    Charles Coleman and Richard Dix in The Whistler (1944)
    Gloria Stuart, Trevor Bardette, Richard Dix, and J. Carrol Naish in The Whistler (1944)
    Gloria Stuart, Alan Dinehart, Richard Dix, and J. Carrol Naish in The Whistler (1944)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Richard Dix
    Richard Dix
    • Earl C. Conrad
    Gloria Stuart
    Gloria Stuart
    • Alice Walker
    J. Carrol Naish
    J. Carrol Naish
    • The Killer
    Alan Dinehart
    Alan Dinehart
    • Gorman
    Trevor Bardette
    Trevor Bardette
    • The Bum in the Next Bed
    • (uncredited)
    William 'Billy' Benedict
    William 'Billy' Benedict
    • The Deafmute
    • (uncredited)
    Willie Bloom
    • Bum
    • (uncredited)
    Roy Brent
    • Detective in Alley
    • (uncredited)
    Charles Coleman
    Charles Coleman
    • Jennings the Butler
    • (uncredited)
    Clancy Cooper
    Clancy Cooper
    • Telephone Repairman
    • (uncredited)
    Don Costello
    Don Costello
    • Lefty Vigran aka Gorss
    • (uncredited)
    Russell Custer
    • Bar Patron
    • (uncredited)
    Ralph Dunn
    Ralph Dunn
    • Cop at Car Accident
    • (uncredited)
    Otto Forrest
    • The Whistler
    • (uncredited)
    Byron Foulger
    Byron Foulger
    • Flophouse Desk Clerk
    • (uncredited)
    John George
    John George
    • Bum
    • (uncredited)
    Dick Gordon
    Dick Gordon
    • Tomley's Assistant
    • (uncredited)
    Robert Homans
    Robert Homans
    • Dock Watchman
    • (uncredited)
      • William Castle
      • J. Donald Wilson(based on the CBS Radio Program by)
      • Eric Taylor(screenplay)
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The signature whistling at the beginning of all The Whistler movies was provided by Dorothy Roberts, backed by the theme's composer Wilbur Hatch and his orchestra.
    • Goofs
      While the killer is lying on the bed perusing his book on Fear of Death, a cigarette suddenly appears in his mouth.
    • Quotes

      The Bum in the Next Bed: Rats in this place as big as beavers. They won't hurt ya... but you're liable to trip over them in the dark.

    • Connections
      Featured in Spine Tingler! The William Castle Story (2007)

    User reviews32

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    6/10
    quintessential "b"
    Before he became a producer and conjured up all those publicity gimmicks for his cheesy horror pictures, William Castle churned out a series of nifty little pictures as a director for Harry Cohn's B unit -- including the immortal "When Strangers Marry". "The Whistler" is a clever noir that tackles the old premise of a despondent man hiring a contract killer to murder him, only to change his mind later. Castle provides a higher standard of mise-en-scene than in most pictures of this ilk, with nice camera movement and grungy, realistic sets. The absurd plot twists and lapses of logic stretch credulity to the utmost -- but that's one of the "beatitudes of the B's" (as Andrew Sarris would say). It's surprising that Cornell Woolrich was not the original author, so close is the atmosphere to his oeuvre. Dix is a bit of a cipher, but Naish is as compelling as always in another offbeat role as the philosophical hit man who suffers from fear of death; plus there are plenty of familiar faces in minor roles. The mysterious omniscient Whistler narrator is effective, if somewhat underused here. Castle went on to direct two even better entries in the series.
    helpful•32
    2
    • goblinhairedguy
    • Jan 17, 2004

    FAQ1

    • List: "The Whistler" radio episodes

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • March 30, 1944 (United States)
      • United States
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Larry Darmour Productions, 5821 Santa Monica Boulevard, Los Angeles, California, USA
    • Production company
      • Larry Darmour Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • 59 minutes
      • Black and White

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    Gloria Stuart, Alan Dinehart, Richard Dix, and J. Carrol Naish in The Whistler (1944)
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