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directed by William Castle
USA 1944
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This movie is the first installment of The Whistler series from Columbia Pictures, all but one of which starred Richard Dix whose A-picture career was then on an alcoholic downgrade, but whose liquor-ravaged face was just right for the overall atmosphere. (For a complete list of series titles, consult "movie connections" on web page.) Of all the movie series to emerge from the 30's and 40's, this is easily one of the most fascinating and unusual. Each entry presents a different self-contained story, tied together only by the mysterious figure of The Whistler who comments briefly on plot developments, but appears only in shadow to whistle his trademark refrain. He seems to be a figure of fate since the hand of destiny emerges in most of the entries. [...] Though weaker in many ways (the script appears put together on the fly), this initial entry contains many features generic to the others. Dix, a prosperous manufacturer, arranges for his own death following the presumed death of his beloved wife, only to find out ironically that she is not dead. The problem is he can't undo the arrangement and is thus forced to escape through the labyrinthine venues of the city's skid row. The entire 60 minutes has something of a nightmarish quality since it starts off with Dix expecting death, though in what form, he can't be sure. Excerpt of review from Doug Doepke for imdb.com located HERE |
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Theatrical Release: 30 March 1944 (USA)
Reviews More Reviews DVD Reviews
DVD Comparison:
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Onesmedia (The Whistler: The Film Collection) - Region 0 - NTSC vs. Sony Pictures (Choice Collection) - Region 0 - NTSC |
Big thanks to Gregory Meshman for all the Screen Caps!
(Onesmedia (The Whistler: The Film Collection) - Region 0 - NTSC - LEFT vs. Sony Pictures (Choice Collection) - Region 0 - NTSC - RIGHT)
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| Distribution |
Onesmedia Region 0 - NTSC |
Sony Pictures Region 0 - NTSC |
| Runtime | 1:00:02 | 1:00:04 |
| Video |
1.33:1 Original Aspect Ratio |
1.33:1 Original Aspect Ratio |
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NOTE: The Vertical axis represents the bits transferred per second. The Horizontal is the time in minutes. |
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Bitrate:
Onesmedia (The Whistler: The Film Collection)
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Bitrate:
Sony Pictures (Choice Collection)
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| Audio | Dolby Digital Mono (English) |
Dolby Digital Mono (English) |
| Subtitles | None | None |
| Features |
Release
Information: Studio: Onesmedia Aspect Ratio:
Edition Details:
Chapters 16 |
Release
Information: Studio: Sony Pictures Aspect Ratio:
Edition Details:
DVD Release Date: May
5, 2015 Chapters 6 |
| Comments |
NOTE: The Whistler is conspicuously absent from Sony's William Castle Collection reviewed HERE.
The
Whistler series of eight movies was probably the
most requested film series from Columbia library to get
a DVD release and it was missing from authorized digital
media until now. There were many questionable releases
from various companies, like from Onesmedia compared
here, a company specializing on radio compilation CDs
and DVDs that also releases some film series based in
radio plays. Their early release of The Whistler
series also includes a DVD of over 235 hours of The
Whistler radio mystery plays, but it's no longer
available on Amazon. While it was nice to see all eight
films collected in one made-on-demand package, the
quality of transfers is poor and new made-on-demand
discs from Sony Pictures blows the transfers in all
regards. The excellent contrast, grain structure and
lack of any damage on the print, including annoying
watermarks with a company logo seen on Onesmedia
releases, makes releases from Sony easy to recommend.
The progressive single-layered disc also provides better
audio with no clicks or pops heard on earlier transfers.
So far Sony skipped the second entry in the series, The
Mark of the Whistler, which was based on Cornell Woolrich's story, Dormant Account, likely due to
clearance. The Whistler and The Power of the
Whistler were released in May 2015 and Voice of
the Whistler and Mysterious Intruder are
announced for June 2015 and watch this space for
reviews, but it's safe to assume they will match the
excellent presentation of the first 2 releases. Highly
recommended to all film noir fans. |
DVD Menus
Onesmedia (The Whistler: The
Film Collection) - Region 0 - NTSC
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Screen Captures
(Onesmedia (The Whistler: The Film Collection) - Region 0 - NTSC - TOP vs. Sony Pictures (Choice Collection) - Region 0 - NTSC - BOTTOM)
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(Onesmedia (The Whistler: The Film Collection) - Region 0 - NTSC - TOP vs. Sony Pictures (Choice Collection) - Region 0 - NTSC - BOTTOM)
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(Onesmedia (The Whistler: The Film Collection) - Region 0 - NTSC - TOP vs. Sony Pictures (Choice Collection) - Region 0 - NTSC - BOTTOM)
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(Onesmedia (The Whistler: The Film Collection) - Region 0 - NTSC - TOP vs. Sony Pictures (Choice Collection) - Region 0 - NTSC - BOTTOM)
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(Onesmedia (The Whistler: The Film Collection) - Region 0 - NTSC - TOP vs. Sony Pictures (Choice Collection) - Region 0 - NTSC - BOTTOM)
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(Onesmedia (The Whistler: The Film Collection) - Region 0 - NTSC - TOP vs. Sony Pictures (Choice Collection) - Region 0 - NTSC - BOTTOM)
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(Onesmedia (The Whistler: The Film Collection) - Region 0 - NTSC - TOP vs. Sony Pictures (Choice Collection) - Region 0 - NTSC - BOTTOM)
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Report Card:
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Image: |
Sony Pictures |
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Sound: |
Sony Pictures |
| Extras: | Onesmedia |
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| Distribution |
Onesmedia Region 0 - NTSC |
Sony Pictures Region 0 - NTSC |
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Gary Tooze
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