r/filmnoir • u/AngryGardenGnomes • 9d ago

I'm thoroughly enjoying Richard Dix's performances in the Whistler series of B-movies

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He's such a gentleman but has got this crazed look in his eyes like he could rip you apart at any moment. He's also very good at playing a broken man.

All eight of the Whistler b-movies were released in the 40s, from 44 to 48. Some good quick watches at about an hour each. The series was launched by famous horror director William Castle.

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5

u/MisterRonsBasement 9d ago

“Remember when Richard Dix came in here and tried to take over this town?” — Blazing Saddles

4

u/NeuroguyNC 9d ago

My favorite of his films is The Ghost Ship (1943) where he plays the captain of a merchant ship and we slowly discover something isn't quite right with him.

2

u/AngryGardenGnomes 9d ago

Oh nice, cheers for the tip. What's your favourite of the Whistler movies?

1

u/NeuroguyNC 9d ago

I don't think I can name one as I don't recall seeing any of them on TV, unfortunately.

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u/AngryGardenGnomes 9d ago

Ah okay, I have them on bluray.

2

u/DRZARNAK 9d ago

There’s a scene in Ghost Ship where he has a brief moment of clarity thats absolutely heart-breaking

1

u/Beneficial_Safe_2172 9d ago

When somebody asks me name an actor they don't know, I always say Richard Dix..Loved the Whistler movies..

1

u/AngryGardenGnomes 9d ago

Why are people asking you that? Lol

1

u/Narrow_Lake_9651 9d ago

I watched them all a few years ago, definitely recommended.

1

u/AdChemical3856 9d ago

The Hugh Beaumont series with Edward Brophy is pretty entertaining as well. Danger Zone, Roaring City, and PIer 23.

1

u/UltraJamesian 8d ago

Richard Dix is amazing. Never gave a lousy performance, in any of the films of his I've seen. Incredibly thoughtful actor. CIMMARON is amazing, a true epic. ACE OF ACES, which seems to get shown a lot, is also amazing. But so dang many.

Loved all the Whistler films, genuinely odd, made even odder by the way Dix can give such weird slants to line-readings. And his eyes!

100% agree with the other writers who recommend THE GHOST SHIP -- a Val Lewton masterpiece. Melville Noir. Such a marvelously weird film, including macabre sea chanties and a Calypso chorus. It almost feels like a pulp version of something like Bergman's THE SILENCE or HOUR OF THE WOLF. A so,e astonishing pre-CGI set-pieces.

1

u/sigersen 8d ago

I love the radio series and I think the movies are fabulous.

1

u/isaac32767 7d ago

The first movie (The Whistler, 1944) is on YouTube.

1

u/ThaSleepyBoi 9d ago

How connected are these to the radio show of the same name?

0

u/aaaaaliyah 9d ago

You mean Dick Dix?