The Whistler - Lie Or Consequences (12-25-44)

The Whistler was one of radio's most popular mystery dramas, with a 13-year run from May 16, 1942 until September 22, 1955. If it now seems to have been influenced explicitly by The Shadow, The Whistler was no less popular or credible with its listeners, the writing was first class for its genre, and it added a slightly macabre element of humor that sometimes went missing in The Shadow's longer-lived crime stories. Writer-producer J. Donald Wilson established the tone of the show during its first two years, and he was followed in 1944 by producer-director George Allen. Other directors included Sterling Tracy and Sherman Marks with final scripts by Joel Malone and Harold Swanton. A total of 692 episodes were produced, yet despite the series' fame, over 200 episodes are lost today. In 1946, a local Chicago version of The Whistler with local actors aired Sundays on WBBM, sponsored by Meister Brau beer.THIS EPISODE:December 25, 1944. CBS Pacific network. "Lie Or Consequences" ("Christmas Bonus). Sponsored by: Signal Oil. An ex-convict is fired from his job in a department store after $10,000 is stolen. As long as he's considered guilty, he might as well steal some more, but he is saved by a music box! Ken Christy, George W. Allen (producer), Bob Anderson (announcer), Wilbur Hatch (music). 29:47.