Power of the Whistler

 

Read/Watch 'em In Order #118

Richard Dix played a more or less good guy in the first two Whistler films--men who definitely made moral mistakes, but were essentially decent human beings.

Well, in 1945's The Power of the Whistler, this changes. Here, Dix plays a man with amnesia who seems to be decent and friendly, but who long ago moved to one of the more violent neighborhoods of Crazy Town. 

I suppose that's a spoiler, but anyone who doesn't realize this very early in the film simply isn't paying attention. 

And that, I think, is a flaw in this otherwise entertaining movie. After getting sideswiped by a car, Dix's character doesn't remember who he is. He's soon befriended by Jean Lang (Janis Carter), who tries to help him figure out his identity.

This part is fine, though reasons given for not going to the police are weak. "George" (Jean's temporary name for him) and Jean take a look at the items in his pockets. There is no solid identification, but there are a pile of clues: A prescription, an order for a cake from a bakery, another orders for flowers to be delivered to a singer, a lighter with initials monogramed on it, and a few other intriguing items. The process of following up these clues is done logically and allows the story to gradually uncover "George's" real idenity. And also uncover the fact that he's a maniac.

But Jean is simply far too trusting, even after disturbing indications that "George" might be dangerous keep popping up. I get that the 1940s were a more trusting time, but that attitude is taken to an absurd degree. This, plus occasional dumb decisions by other characters, definitely weaken the story.

In particular, a reason given for why an escape from an insane asylum was not reported to the cop is criminally stupid, though it is treated as reasonable by the police officer who is listening to it.

All the same, the story--most notably the finale--generates a fair amount of suspense and Dix's performance as the maniac, in which he only gradually reveals his dark side, is wonderful. I don't know why Richard Dix isn't better remembered today. He was an excellent actor.

So The Power of the Whistler, though a weaker entry in the series, is still worthwhile and worth watching.