The Whistler: Old Time Radio Mysteries cover art

The Whistler: Old Time Radio Mysteries

The Whistler: Old Time Radio Mysteries

By: WOTR Radio Network
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About this listen

The Whistler old time radio series ran from May 16, 1942, until September 22, 1955. It was a popular West Coast thriller anthology known for its eerie tone and moral storytelling, though it never matched nationwide success despite several attempts. Sponsored by Signal Oil, it captivated listeners with tales of ordinary people driven to dark choices by fate, greed, or circumstance. Its omniscient narrator embodied conscience or destiny, ensuring justice in chilling endings. The show inspired eight films by Columbia Pictures. Produced by George W. Allen with music by Wilbur Hatch.WOTR Radio Network Drama & Plays
Episodes
  • Avarice (1942) – The Whistler: Old Time Radio Mystery
    Mar 11 2026

    Avarice (11-29-42)


    John and Marsha have what looks like a respectable marriage—comfortable home, polite smiles, and not a trace of affection between them. She has money. He has debts. And when John’s $4000 problem becomes too big to ignore, temptation takes a deadly turn. After all, Marsha’s fortune could solve everything… if only she weren’t around to spend it.


    In this darkly ironic tale from The Whistler, greed becomes the secret ingredient in a sinister plan involving arsenic‑laced ice cream and a scheme that seems foolproof. But in the world of old‑time radio suspense, even the most carefully measured recipe can curdle. As motives collide and loyalties shift, John discovers that avarice has a flavor all its own—and the final twist is one he never saw coming.


    A perfect listen for fans of classic radio crime, noir‑style morality tales, and the deliciously wicked surprises that define The Whistler.


    Presented by the WOTR Radio Network — home of four 24/7 Old Time Radio stations: Old Time Radio USA, Suspense Radio USA, Crime Time Radio USA, and Nightmare Radio USA. Explore more classic radio storytelling on our companion podcast Classic Radio Rewind.

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    30 mins
  • The Other Woman (1942) – The Whistler: Old Time Radio Mystery
    Mar 10 2026

    The Other Woman (11-22-1942)

    Her marriage is collapsing, the divorce papers are nearly signed, and the humiliation feels unbearable. But beneath the heartbreak simmers something far more dangerous. Convinced that her husband’s secretary is “the other woman” who destroyed her life, she begins to craft a plan—not for reconciliation, but for revenge.

    In this tense tale from The Whistler, jealousy curdles into obsession as a wronged wife sets out to ruin the woman she believes stole her husband’s affection. Yet in the world of old‑time radio crime and psychological suspense, motives twist, assumptions crumble, and vengeance rarely lands where it’s aimed. What begins as a personal vendetta soon spirals into a chilling game of deception, betrayal, and unintended consequences.

    A gripping episode perfect for listeners searching for vintage mystery, noir‑style domestic drama, and the signature moral irony that defines The Whistler.

    Presented by the WOTR Radio Network — home of four 24/7 Old Time Radio stations: Old Time Radio USA, Suspense Radio USA, Crime Time Radio USA, and Nightmare Radio USA. Explore more classic radio storytelling on our companion podcast Classic Radio Rewind.

    Show More Show Less
    30 mins
  • Apparition (1942) – The Whistler: Old Time Radio Mystery
    Mar 9 2026

    Apparition (11-15-1942)

    When a wealthy patriarch dies, his heirs gather to divide the estate—only to be confronted by something far more unsettling than legal documents or family grudges. A ghostly figure begins to appear in the dead of night, delivering pointed warnings and very specific instructions about how his property should be shared. Is it truly a restless spirit returning to settle unfinished business, or is someone alive manipulating fear for their own gain?

    In this eerie tale from The Whistler, greed, suspicion, and the lure of inheritance twist into a chilling mystery where the boundary between the living and the dead grows dangerously thin. As the haunting intensifies, each heir must decide whether the apparition is a supernatural messenger… or a human threat hiding behind a mask of terror.

    A classic Old Time Radio suspense story filled with ghostly intrigue, family secrets, and the unmistakable whisper of The Whistler guiding listeners toward a dark and unforgettable conclusion.

    Presented by the WOTR Radio Network — home of four 24/7 Old Time Radio stations: Old Time Radio USA, Suspense Radio USA, Crime Time Radio USA, and Nightmare Radio USA. Explore more classic radio storytelling on our companion podcast Classic Radio Rewind.

    Show More Show Less
    30 mins
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