The First Whistler

 

 (imdb)

THE WHISTLER-(1944)-In the first of the series, Earl Conrad (Richard Dix) is a businessman who blames himself for the death of his wife and decides to have a hit man knock him off. Later, when it appears his wife is still alive, Conrad changes his mind and doesn't want to die. His journey takes many twists. A psychotic hit man (J.Carroll Nash in standout performance) tries to scare him to death. Conrad almost winds up as a stowaway on a ship bound for Japan. 

Nice little film noir directed by William Castle. Also with Gloria Stuart, Byron Foulger as a flophouse attendant, William Bennidict as a mute delivery boy, Trevor Bardette, Ralph Dunn and George Lloyd. It's based on a CBS radio show created by J. Donald Wilson. This was the first of 8 Whistler films produced by Columbia Pictures. Richard Dix was the star of the first 7. The titular character is the narrator (Otto Forrest). 

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William Smith

 

 (imdb)

HOLLYWOOD MAN-1976-Rafe (William Smith, also in the TV mini-series RICH MAN, POOR MAN the same year), a Hollywood stuntman/actor needs $375,000 to complete his biker movie but his producer won't give it to him, so he gets involved with mobster Mr. Russo (Angelo Farese) who's thug partner Tony (Carmine Caridi) wants to sabotage Rafe's efforts. Tony hires Harvey (Gene Griarden) and his goons to do the job but they are no match for Rafe. Later Harvey goes crazy and kills most of his gang including his girlfriend (Jennifer Billingsley; THE THIRSTY DEAD). He tries to shoot Rafe but kills his stuntman friend (Don Stroud) instead. There's a surprise ending in store for Rafe and his girlfriend Julie (Mary Woronov) in this low budget, seldom seen action drama directed by Jack Starrett (CLEOPATRA JONES).

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