 The signal oil program The whistler Whistle is your signal for the signal oil program The whistler 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 Yes friends, it's time for the signal oil program the whistler Rated tops in popularity for a longer period of time than any other West Coast program in radio history and Signal gasoline is tops to topped in quality It takes extra quality, you know to give you extra mileage and signal is the famous go farther gasoline So look for the signal circle sign in yellow and black that identifies friendly dealer owned signal stations From Canada to Mexico and now the whistler strange story 12 portraits of Marsha The late afternoon sun slanted through the skylight behind Marsha Making a halo of her hair as she sat legs crossed on the model's platform Ralph paused the moment look past the canvas. He was painting his 12th portrait of Marsha Studied her fresh eager face then back to the picture again touching up the mouth the delicate nose the luminous eyes Ralph darling, I meant told your pose Marsha Told you I'm almost finished. Sorry darling At least when it's over you won't snap at me. You're always present after a portrait done. Why not? To begin a painting is to set yourself into slavery the only way out is to finish Just a few moments. I'll be free again Yes, Ralph, you'll be free the picture is nearly complete One stroke more and loyal loving Marsha who would never take a penny for hours of tireless posing We'll never pose again Ralph Yes Supposing someone offered you a thousand dollars for a picture. Don't talk such rot Failure and you know it. That's not such a wild dream Through with me Yeah, that does it all through You're gonna relax now. Oh I don't know if I can stand up. I've been sitting with my leg crossed under me for so long Help me up. Will you my mind is just as cramped as your leg. Oh Always the temperamental genius Someday you'll be rich and famous and I'll be your wife. So why should I complain? What about dinner darling? Well, I'll have to run out and get something You know the only reason you're not famous is publicity dear people just don't know about you I decided at this time. I did something. I've been trying there are sardines and wine in the kitchen I'll go get some cheese. Excuse me. I'll have to consult the treasury Ralph. You never listen to me It's strange that Marsha should hit on it today of all days now that you've decided to do it publicity Ralph Something that will tell the whole world of you and your paintings headline Great artistic talent uncovered when model commits suicide Fall play suspected artists may be brought to trial Ralph Winston Winston a have to look him up You're perspiring now as you pull open the drawer of the battered dresser in your room fumble for the little store of currency under the pile of handkerchiefs and your gun with its black handle towards your hand You realize it could happen now Ralph. There couldn't be a better time You'll tell them that you went out for groceries and when you return Thought I'd stretch out here on the couch while you're gone No, we're right ahead. Oh, you're so moody Ralph You used to want to celebrate when you finished the painting now you look as if Yes, my chef as if you wanted to Ralph don't You press the gun into her hand wrap her fingers around the handle Everything is right Ralph right down to the powder burns on the blouse a half hour later You're on your way back to the studio with a package of cheese and a few other things for dinner in your arms The lights are on when you get there you have visitors Ralph You stop for a minute get hold of yourself You know you must be careful now careful of everything even of the way you breathe What what's going? Oh you Ralph Winston? That's right. What's the matter? I'm afraid I have bad news for you. Mr. Winston Inspector Sean homicide detail homicide over there on the couch What? Marcia Marcia, why'd you do it? She was your model wasn't she? Just finished her picture. Yeah, we saw it over there on the easel any idea why she'd kill herself She threatened to several times We were going to be married if I could ever make enough for my painting to support her Seemed hopeful. Where have you been? I just left her a while ago. I went to the store for some things for dinner We'll see here. How'd you get here so soon how did this gentleman mr. Southerner said me Selton Ralph the art dealer You've heard of me. Yes, of course mr. Southerner was coming up to see your paintings He had a letter from Marcia Ralph a rather unusual letter You know as a rule I ignore requests from people who want me to look at paintings But this one there was something different about it Marcia sent it something so sincere and intelligent and Selfless about her letter. You know yes. It was different I was as interested in seeing Marcia's and seeing the paintings Matter of fact just look for some of your things scattered around the room here and found them not bad at all not bad at all Call me Sydney Ralph Sydney would do for us I think we're going to see a lot of one another I get a big kick out of helping a young artist You can be thankful said I mean mr. Selton arrived when he did Winston. You might have been in something of a jam What do you mean under suspicion? Mr. Selton was on his way up when he heard the shot rushed him to find Marcia dead and called us So that's how it was now here. We are gentlemen. Oh, this is the Herald photographer Ralph Let's let him take some shots. They can't do any harm and who knows a who knows yes It'd be all right my good man You may take your pictures always glad to cooperate with the press wait a minute I don't see over here by the easel Ralph looking at your last picture of Marcia nothing like a picture You know picture tells a thousand words and all that inspector Don't you think I shouldn't know a reason why you can't go ahead? Carnal be here in a minute. We'll all clear out now get the idea my man the artist here Ralph Winston W I n s t o n got it got it now He's looking at the last picture He painted of the model who shot herself because no one would buy the pictures so they could get married very tragic affair very tragic Marcia M. A R. C. I. A. Got it very beautiful girl attractive intelligent a fashionable school Vasa all kinds of money Giving it all up to be with a man She loved believed in and wanted to help Got it all of it to win some That's it and that's your story gentlemen Selton discovered the girl while on way to make deal with Winston to present his pictures to the public It would have made him famous and able to marry the girl Got the ironic twist gentlemen Good now excuse us a moment. I want a few words with Mr. Winston. Okay. Thanks a lot. Come now Now the pretty cheap stunt Good publicity my boy be sure to look me up in the morning. They're assuming a lot. Sidney will do my voice Sidney between you and me and I'm not assuming anything You you've got a good head on your shoulders or to recognize the Expedient move when you see it What if I don't now now none of that? Oh, I could see it all Ralph page one pictures headlines all of it the moment I The opportune moment I might say when I arrived at your studio tonight Well, you wouldn't consider any other arrangements now would you Ralph? Oh you? Will let me help you I'll be at your gallery tomorrow. Oh good first thing in the morning right and earlier. All right, Mr. Seltos Sidney my boy s. I d and e y With the prologue of 12 portraits of Marsha the signal oil company is bringing you another strange story by the whistler If you've been reading the ads about the new 1948 cars and who hasn't you've no doubt noticed the emphasis that's being placed on gasoline mileage Mileage that's the result of increased engineering efficiency Well, that's especially interesting to us at signal because signal gasoline has long been famous for mileage mileage that's the result of that same engineering principle Because today's signal gasoline helps your motor run more efficiently and of course when your motor runs more efficiently You also enjoy quicker starting faster pickup and smoother knock-free power That's why in gasoline mileage is really your best yardstick of performance And it's why signal says to be sure of the tops in gasoline quality. There are just two things to remember one in gasoline it takes extra quality to go farther and to Signal is the famous go farther gasoline And now back to the whistler It seems as if you tell the story a hundred times doesn't it route to the reporters to the police officials to the coroner when he arrives So often that you almost believe Marsha did commit suicide while you were out of the apartment But though at long last it's over the fear of Sidney Seltzen keeps you awake Temple wondering how he could have heard the shot and yet not seen you leave the apartment Finally at 9 the next morning you walk into his office And he takes you into a private gallery behind the main display room You decide you're going to put it to him directly Well Ralph right on time. I like to see that. Oh, yes, isn't it exultant to put it mildly Have you seen the papers you and Marsha all over the front page biggest story since the hall mills case Hey, we'll sit down my boy. What's on your mind? Lots of things to be done my boy if we're to have a showing of your pictures next week strike while the iron and all that Maybe you could clear up something for me, Sydney. Oh, tell me Did you see me come out of my studio last night? See you why? No You're sure you heard the shot on your way up a shot Well, who can tell I I heard an explosion might have been a blowout car back firing Who can tell but I thought the important thing is you and I Sidney and Ralph making lots of money Lots of money. Okay with you. So we must have a show very soon strike while the iron. Yes, you said that Oh, yes, so I did which means you need new clothes now here. I've prepared a check somewhere I just signed it a moment ago. You were keep that thing around all the time. What thing revolver? Oh Can't be too careful my boy occasionally have pictures of great value around here things Which don't require publicity to sell always keep it here ready and loaded and see oh, yes Here we are a check for $500 my boy. Oh, call it an advance closer. What you need clothes make the man and all that Hey, here you are. You're sure you'll get it back on my first showing we'll double it on the first picture We sell nothing to it after this Fortunate publicity and the pictures works of our Ralph. You're a lucky man. We're lucky lucky people I'm still a little daze Naturally now how many canvases have you done all about 50 And how many of Marsha would 12 I just finished the 12th the last night. Oh good lucky lucky worth a wait and go You show them all at once. Oh, good heavens. No. No first a harmonious variety of your things one or two landscapes Seascapes three no for Marsha. I'll be out to help you this afternoon. Oh good Now you better run along and get those clothes a couple of suits and things Tweedy yes be good and Tweedy for the first showing boyish and Tweedy and you know not too prosperous yet Oh and be sure to smoke a pipe right right And that's the way it is Ralph Sydney taking over and running your life and it's all right with you, isn't it? Yeah The big day with the public viewing your paintings for the first time is almost too much to believe You stand shyly on the sidelines dressed in smoky brown tweed a black morning band on your arm Threlling inwardly with every bit of comment and praise watching admiringly as Sydney handles the smartly dressed Yes, I think it was simply vile of you not to give me a chance to buy Marsha 1945 My dear Mrs. Andrews everyone wants to buy the Marsha paintings. They were all sold almost before we opened the gallery this morning Oh now if you'll excuse me, please. Oh, Ralph. Yes. May I see you a moment in here, please? Well Ralph Congratulations, the show has been a success have been I've sold everything on the wall. Oh, that's fine From now on we play host to curiosity seekers and future buyers. I guess that's right, but what if the critics critics? If the critics knew anything about art, they'd be in the business of buying and selling it wouldn't say I Suppose I know so now don't you worry about the critics Ralph just think about our next showing in Shall we say two weeks? And you do forget the critics don't you Ralph you pay no attention when they call your work calendar art There's too much praise from other sources too much money to be spent When it's gone, you're impatient with Sydney anxious for him to conduct the second showing of your paintings But six weeks go by before he finally selects another group of pictures You sleep soundly the night before the display Then open the morning paper on news that shocks you into a fury sent you rushing to Sydney's gallery All right, all right. All right. Don't care the building. I'll kick the door in if you don't hurry So anxious to get into Sydney what's the meaning of this in the papers come in Ralph Listen to this Sydney of Selton art dealer might find he has reopened the case of the beautiful artist model Marcia when he suggested to this Colonist that after much consideration. He was no longer certain that the explosion He heard on the night of the suicide came from the studio of Ralph Winston This could suggest to the police that Marcia was dead before Selton arrived on the scene in a new investigation might result Well, Sydney, how could you do this to me there there Ralph here? Let me have a look here Mention the show we're opening today Sydney. Oh, yes, they got it straight. Mm-hmm Self in galleries nine o'clock you showing 25 canvases four more portraits of Marcia Lady you mean to tell me that you what's the matter Ralph they got all the details straight We're just I have a terrific investment in you my boy terrific But what happens to me? Nothing nothing. I simply informed the police if and when they questioned me that I was misquoted I might even suggest that the columnist had been drinking It's better work it will but now look at yourself my boy now get along home Don the morning coat in the striped trousers. You're the success type for this one Ralph definitely the success type You feel successful don't you Ralph? Successful and sure of yourself again as you stand around bowing politely Accepting the congratulations of the excited wealthy dilettante who throng the gallery to admire and criticize and buy The second showing is almost as successful as the first But this time the money doesn't last even as long and if the week slip past you press Sydney to hurry the third showing But he keeps postponing it again and again until you're almost desperate Then one night your telephone ring Yeah, Ralph my boy. I want you to come over about the showing. Yes I thought we'd have it in the little gallery chair at my office But do you think I'm going to say it isn't large enough, but it is I want this to be a private showing just you and me Why can you come over right away Yes, Sydney Right away, but Sydney. What is all it's not there? You're not going to pull any more stunts like last time. Did that bother you so much Ralph? Just that the memory of Marsha is Is sacred to me of course I understand That's right and While we're on the subject Sydney, whatever became of all the portraits of Marsha that you sold who bought them. Oh customer Customer always managed to buy them all before the show is open. I spoke of a private showing didn't I Ralph? Let's go inside. What? I'll get the light Why do you? Sydney, what does this mean? All the portraits of Marsha all 12 of them hung side-by-side Is it so strange you got a fair price if I wanted to buy them that was my business there What are you trying to do such an admirable person Marsha these portraits provide Physical proof of the image that I formed of a while reading her letter These 12 portraits tell me so much about the girl and about you. She was good kind beautiful through and through now This first portrait Marsha 1944 shows that you were in love when you painted it Yes, I was you idealized her beyond reality the pinks and the blues and the gentle sunlight Gliding through her hair. No woman could be so beautiful except the man in love with her Beautiful experience and Marsha early 1945 You began to look on her more as a a playmate in spring 1945 ecstasy Blinding golden light a look of joy and expectation on her face. It's the most beautiful spring I'll ever know She was so wonderful. You didn't want to paint another thing. You see two more canvases almost identical So then a long pause in the series Ralph you didn't paint Marsha again until the following winter You were tired of her What is this? Black magic. No, it's all there out. You see you tried to see her again as you first saw her, but you failed You no longer loved her Oh Marsha a photograph would have been more just what's all this leading up to Don't you think it clever of me to deduce so much information from paint on canvas oh Very clever Go ahead. I won't interrupt you again. Oh, there isn't much Now here you grow panicky the worry over a promise to marry a woman you didn't love your mind was straying here Groping wild paint as I pleased obviously, but such caricature so grotesque Well, why the only happy picture is this one number 11 showing Marsha saying goodbye in the doorway Would you've been so happy to see her leave never mind that nothing becomes more hateful than an unwanted woman, huh? And in this last portrait you were spiteful and cruel you put her in a tight-fitting green satin dress her lips are flaming red Slash across her face and her eyes you painted them a weakened watery blue Fit me Marsha Marsha, how could he ever do this to you? You fool I actually believe you've fallen in love with Marsha in love in love with Marsha No, no, I could hardly fall in love with a room full of pictures. No Marsha doesn't exist. I can't love her But I can hate the man who murdered her murdered or Sidney You yourself said you heard the shot one When I was blocks away, I was mistaken Ralph and you know it you shouldn't have said that You should never have used the word Wait, what are you doing? What do you want in my desk only your guns, didn't Ralph? No Sidney you made the mistakes first and telling me about this gun second and making this showing So completely Ralph private The whistler will return in just a moment with a strange ending to tonight's story Meantime in place of a message about signal gasoline usually heard at this point on the whistler Signal oil company is giving this time tonight for an announcement in the interest of public health Have you ever asked yourself what you would do if infantile paralysis would strike someone in your home? The treatment is long the average cost over two thousand dollars Fortunately, however, you wouldn't have to worry about cost For today the National Foundation for infantile paralysis Guarantees every victim of this dread disease Regardless of age race creed or color the immediate scientific care, which alone can prevent tragic crippling And where does the foundation get the millions of dollars needed for this great mission of mercy? Why from the dimes that you contribute during the annual march of dimes? When you consider that last year those dimes took care of over 10,000 victims of infantile paralysis You can realize how much every contribution counts So let's all get into the march drop into an envelope whatever you can spare a few dimes or a few dollars Then mail it tomorrow morning to the march of dimes headquarters in your city Now back to the whistler There was no other way out Ralph As you sat at the desk watching Sydney move from picture to picture His eyes glowing as he described marsha as he uncannily guessed your changing feelings toward her Instinctively followed the winding road that you and marsha traveled Full of sunlight and brightness at first Finally plunging downhill into the dark valley of murder Yes, there was no other way but to kill Sydney too And now moving like a man in a dream you find yourself going through it all again Exactly as you did with marsha You walk forward bend over him press the gun into his hand And then suddenly the room is filled with a blinding light A flash gone Ralph and as you sense a movement behind the heavy drapes for Very good joe a perfect picture perfect here Ralph help me up What You can come out now joe let Ralph meet the press that did my boy me What is this? What are you trying to do all done my boy one picture a thousand words the camera? I doesn't lie in all that. Oh, here's your caption joe. Are you ready? Art dealer traps murderer at uh midnight rendezvous. Yes, that's good midnight rendezvous. You've got it Listen Sydney, you can't cut my boy. I'm not through yet picture shows killer duplicating original murder plan Uh, uh modus operandi. That's a good phrase use that one joe Sydney Blank cartridges save life of dealer on eve of final showing at selton gallerys S e l f t o n got it. That's all now. You've got a deadline to meet you better run along. Thanks, mr. Oh, uh, so long winston. I'll be taking your picture again. So at your trial Sydney Sydney why Why did you play with me use me because my boy? I had to know whether you really killed marsha or not Oh, you know You were right ral I guess I am in love with the picture Let that whistle be your signal for the signal oil program the whistler Each wednesday night at this same time Brought to you by the signal oil company marketers of signal gasoline and motor oil And fine quality automotive accessories Signal has asked me to remind you to get the most driving pleasure drive at sensible speeds be courteous And obey traffic regulations It may save a life Possibly your own Featured in tonight's story where elliott lewis and joseph kerns The whistler was produced by george w allen with story by john monstros And music by wilbur hatch and was transmitted to our troops overseas by the arm forces radio service Next wednesday for a full hour of mystery over most of these stations tune in a half hour earlier Enjoy the saint as well as the whistler. This is marvin miller speaking This is cbs the columbia broadcasting system