This week on Theatre of the Mind with Brian Peroff, the show will start off with an episode of The Whistler, which ran for 13 years from May 16, 1942 until September 22, 1955. Many remember the voice of the narrator, one that gave many fans the creeps: “I … am the Whistler … and I know many things, for I walk by night. I know many strange tales hidden in the hearts of men and women who have stepped into the shadows. Yes … I know the nameless terrors of which they dare not speak!”

The music for the show was composed by Wilbur Hatch, including the Whistler’s famous 13-note tune. Hatch served as the conductor of the Desi Arnaz Orchestra on I Love Lucy. Several different actors played the peculiar Whistler: Everett Clarke, Gale Gordan, Bill Forman, Bill Johnstone, Joseph Kearns and Marvin Miller.

In the early days of the show, the Whistler would often talk to the characters, playing the conscience of the murderer or another character in the story. The final act was summarized by the Whistler, not dramatized. The format that most listeners recognize began in 1944. The Whistler became solely the narrator and the story was dramatized.

The Whistler was turned into a film noir series in the 1940s. The first seven films featured Richard Dix. The original intention of the first film was not to create a series, but it was so profitable that Columbia Pictures turned the concept into a mystery series. The tune whistled at the beginning of each film was the same tune composed by Wilbur Hatch for the radio series.

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The second show that will be featured on this week’s episode is My Friend Irma. The radio comedy was created by Cy Howard and aired on CBS Radio from April 11, 1947 to August 23, 1954.

It became so popular in the 40s that it was turned into films, a television series, a comic strip and comic book. The CBS TV series aired from January 8, 1952 until June 25, 1954. The film in 1949 is notable for introducing Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis to moviegoers. They scored more screen time in the sequel, My Friend Irma Goest West in 1950. The comic book, which ran from 1950-55, was often written by Stan Lee with art by Dan DeCarlo.

Each show began with the level-headed character Jane Stacy narrating a misadventure of her bewildered roommate Irma, a bit of a dim-bulb. In October 1947, a Time critic described My Friend Irma as follower in the “artfully stumbling footsteps of Gracie Allen, Jane Ace, and other attractive dunderheads”.

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Mon, Nov 29 – 10PM – Eight to Twelve – The Whister, 1947 / The Red Hand – My Friend Irma, 1948

Tue, Nov 30 – 10PM – A Matter of Odds – The Whistler, 1952 / Bon Voyage – My Friend Irma, 1948

Wed, Dec 1 – 10PM – Death Comes at Midnight – The Whistler, 1942 / Billy Boy The Boxer – My Friend Irma, 1948

Thurs, Dec 2 – 10PM – Practically Foolproof – The Whistler, 1944 / It’s All Relative – My Friend Irma, 1948

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Sources:

Mystery Movie Series of 1940s Hollywood by Ron Backer

American radio networks: a history by Jim Cox

On the air: the encyclopedia of old-time radio by John Dunning

Tags: brian peroff, comedy, drama, my friend irma, mystery, radio, radio drama, richard dix, the whistler, theatre of the mind