CTVA Western - "Whispering Smith" (Revue/NBC)(Summer 1961) Audie Murphy, Guy Mitchell

CTVA
The Classic TV Archive - TV Western series
The Guy Mitchell Show (ABC)(1957-58)
Whispering Smith (1959-61)
Episode Guide compiled by The Classic TV Archive
with contributions by:
Tom Dischley, Rina Fox, James Beer, Mike Stidham
references:
Library of Congress (telnet://locis.loc.gov)
Internet Movie Database (https://us.imdb.com)

----------------
WHISPERING SMITH
----------------
Whispering Smith Company
Revue Studios/ MCA tv
for
NBC (Mondays 9:00pm EST)
Produced by Joseph Hoffman, Herbert Coleman, Willard Willingham

US Western Detective series
filmed 1959-60 26 episodes x 30 min bw
first aired summer 1961 (08May61-18Sep61) 20 episodes
starring
Audie Murphy as Detective Tom "Whispering" Smith
Guy Mitchell as Detective George Romack
Sam Buffington as Chief John Richards

Premise:
Cases of Tom "Whispering" Smith, a plaincloths detective for Denver Police Department..

Background:
Much criticised during its short run for its excessive violence.

"Whispering Smith" theme music by Richard Shores

ODAT = copyright date OREG = copyright registration no.

The "Whispering Smith" series was recently (2010) released on DVD by Timeless Media.
under license from NBC Universal, disc 1#64865, disc 2 #64875, and disc 3 #64885.

The set includes all but one of the filmed episodes, #22 "The Interpreter".

############### Whispering Smith #############
############## season Summer 1961 ############
##############################################
NBC Mondays 9:00pm Eastern

[01] Whispering Smith: THE BLIND GUN    (verified on DVD - JB/MS)
08May61 NBC
 Revue prod. no. TP12825
ODAT: 7Aug60 (in notice: 1959); OREG: LP23328.
Producer: Herbert Coleman, Written by Tom Seller,
Directed by Francis D. Lyon, Assistant Director: Frank Fox
Starring: Audie Murphy (as "Whispering" Smith)
Guest Cast:
Jan Merlin .................... Thad Janeck
Earl Hansen ................... Rex Avery
Robert Osterloh ............... Ben Avery
Synopsis:
A robber is shot off his horse and is blinded. He is offered the reward to pay for the operation to restore
his sight, if he leads Smith to the stolen cash. [MS]
Synopsis 2:
Bandit Thad Janek, sightless as a result of a gunfight, in which he was captured, agrees to turn over his
booty in exchange for reward money, which would then be spent on eye surgery to restore his sight. [DVD/JB]

[02] Whispering Smith: THE GRUDGE  (verified on DVD - JB/MS)
15May61 NBC
Revue prod. no. TP12833
ODAT: 19May61 (in notice: 1960); OREG: LP22985.
Producer-Director: Herbert Coleman, Written by Dick Nelson,
Assistant Director: Milton Carter
Starring: Audie Murphy (as "Whispering" Smith)
Guest Cast:
Robert Redford ................ Johnny Gates
June Walker ................... Ma Gates
Gloria Talbott ................ Cora Gates
Synopsis:
Ma Gates, her daughter, and her son come to Denver, with a revenge plot to kill Smith for shooting her husband. [MS]
Synopsis 2:
Revenge has a long memory as Smith seems destined to learn when Ma Gates, widow of an outlaw he once brought to
justice, arrives in town with a plan to kill him. To this end, Ma enlists her trigger happy son Johnny, and her
daughter Cora in the plan, with Cora as the lethal bait in the trap. [DVD/JB]

[03] Whispering Smith: THE DEVIL'S SHARE (verified on DVD - JB/MS)
22May61 NBC
Revue prod. no. TP12827
ODAT: 26May61 (in notice: 1960); OREG: LP22986.
Producer: Herb Coleman, Written by Joel Murcott,
Directed by Lawrence F. Doheny, AD: James Hogan
Starring: Audie Murphy (as "Whispering" Smith)
Guest Cast:
Clu Gulager ................... Jeff Whalen
Rosemary Day .................. Marjanne Gaul
James Lydon ................... Frank Whalen
Otto Waldis ................... Emil Dunker
Kathie Browne ................. Ilsa Dunker
Synopsis:
Two brothers compete over a woman with deadly results. [MS]
Synopsis 2:
Frank Whalen has just proposed to Marjanne Gaul, which nettles his brother Jeff, a onetime suitor of Marjanne's.
Jeff, in fact works himself up into such a state of rage, that he kills his brother Frank. [DVD/JB]

[04] Whispering Smith: STAKE-OUT  (verified on DVD - JB/MS)
29May61 NBC
Revue prod. no. TP12801
ODAT: 17Jul60 (in notice: 1959); OREG: LP22979.
Producer: Joseph Hoffman,
Teleplay by Harold Swanton, story by Borden Chase and Harold Swanton,
Director: Christian Nyby, AD: Willard Sheldon
Starring: Audie Murphy (as "Whispering" Smith)
Guest Cast:
John Cliff .................... Garrity
Troy Melton ................... Dugan
Joyce Taylor .................. Edie
Synopsis:
A pair of outlaws attempt to convince Romack to help them in a heist, by threatening to reveal that Romack
once rode with them. [MS]
Synopsis 2:
Romack is approached by couple of men named McGarrity and Dugan. They remind him that he was once a member
of his gang, and if he wants to keep that little secret from his present employer, he had better play along
on a robbery they had lined up. [DVD/JB]

[05] Whispering Smith: SAFETY VALVE  [verified on DVD -MS]
05Jun61 NBC
Revue prod. no. TP12832
ODAT: 18Sep60; OREG: LP23342.
Produced by Herbert Coleman
Written by Mary and Willard Willingham
Directed by Jerry Hopper.
Guest Cast:
Della Sharman ................. Carrie Middleton
Les Tremayne .................. Colonel Middleton
Harry Carey, Jr. .............. Sergeant Stringer
Synopsis:
While fighting a band of renegade Indians, a number of officers are shot from behind, where only their
own men were posted. [MS]

[06] Whispering Smith: STAIN OF JUSTICE  [verified on DVD -MS]
 12Jun61 NBC
Revue prod. no. TP12831
ODAT: 11Jul61 (in notice: 1960); OREG: LP22988.
Produced by Herbert Coleman
Written by Irving H. Cooper
Directed by Lawrence F. Doleny
Starring: Audie Murphy (as "Whispering" Smith)
Guest Cast:
Richard Chamberlain ........... Chris Harrington
Patric Knowles ................ Judge Wilbur Harrington
Nancy Valentine ............... Stella Dean
Synopsis:
The son of a respected judge is accused of killing a beautiful young woman. Although he is innocent,
he refuses to name the actual killer. [MS]

[07] Whispering Smith: THE DEADLIEST WEAPON  [verified on DVD -MS]
19Jun61 NBC
Revue prod. no. TP12837
ODAT: 23Jun61 (in notice: 1960); OREG: LP22987.
Produced by Herbert Coleman
Teleplay by John Falvo /Story by John Falvo and David Tomack
Directed by Sidney Lanfield
Starring: Audie Murphy (as "Whispering" Smith)
Guest Cast:
Aline Towne ................... Tina Miller
Paul Lees ..................... Vince Posdell
Bartlett Robinson ............. Ralph Miller
Don Keefer .................... Dr. Johnson
Synopsis:
The owner of a gold mine goes public. When he starts issuing stock to investors, he begins
receiving death threats. [MS]

 [08] Whispering Smith: THE QUEST  [verified on DVD -MS]
Revue prod. no. TP12836
ODAT: 19Sep61 (in notice: 1960); OREG: LP22994.
26Jun61 NBC Mon
Produced by Willard Willingham
Teleplay by Silvia Richards and Richard Nelson / Story by Silvia Richards
Directed by Frank Arrigo
Starring: Audie Murphy (as "Whispering" Smith)
Guest Cast:
Ellen Willard ................. Charlotte Laughlin
John Harmon ................... Jackie Rouge
Kay Stewart ................... Bella Laughlin
Synopsis:
Charlotte Laughlin comes to Denver, searching for her mother. The missing matron was quite well
known at one time - as a dance-hall singer. [RF]

[09] Whispering Smith: THREE FOR ONE  [verified on DVD -MS]
 03Jul61 NBC
Revue prod. no. TP12804
ODAT: 24Jul60 (in notice: 1959); OREG: LP23326.
Produced by Joseph Hoffman
Written by Ellis Kadison
Directed by Tay Garrett
Starring: Audie Murphy (as "Whispering" Smith)
Guest Cast:
Richard Crane ................. Lucas
Ken Mayer ..................... Carter
Roscoe Ates ................... Sheriff
Pamela Duncan ................. Helen
K.L. Smith .................... Ralph Malone
Tom P. Dillon ................. Thad
Claire Meade .................. Mrs. Hooper
Synopsis:
Soon after releasing a prisoner to two men claiming to be marshals from Phoenix, a telegram arrives
showing the two to be impostors. [MS] 

[10] Whispering Smith: DEATH AT EVEN MONEY  [verified on DVD -MS]
 10Jul61 NBC
Revue prod. no. TP12835
ODAT: 11Sep60; OREG: LP22983.
Produced by Herbert Coleman
Written by Rik Vollaerts
Directed by Sidney Lanfield
Starring: Audie Murphy (as "Whispering" Smith)
Guest Cast:
Marc Lawrence ................. Frankie Wilson
Robert Lowery ................. Dave Markson
John Day ...................... Dorst
Sandy Sanders ................. Driver
Sherwood Price ................ Rios
Herbert C. Lytton ............. Dr. Henderson
Synopsis:
Gambler Frankie Wisdom can't seem to win at ordinary games of chance with Dave Markson. So he proposes
a unique wager: he bets that Markson can't prevent him from causing Smith's death. [JB]

[11] Whispering Smith: THE HEMP REEGER CASE  [verified on DVD -MS]
17Jul61 NBC
Revue prod. no. TP12816
ODAT: 21Aug60 (in notice: 1959); OREG: LP22980.
Produced by Herbert Coleman
Teleplay by Halsey Melone and Willard Willingham / Story by Sid Harris
Directed by Earl Bellamy
Starring: Audie Murphy (as "Whispering" Smith)
Guest Cast:
James Best .................... Hemp Reeger
Patricia Medina ............... Flo
Edward C. Platt ............... Sheriff Aiken
John Craven ................... Bolling
Synopsis:
Hemp Reeger is notorious for his ability to break out of jail, something a local sheriff seeks to exploit. [MS]

[12] Whispering Smith: THIS MORTAL COIL  [verified on DVD -MS]
24Jul61 NBC
Revue prod. no. TP12829
ODAT: 30Jun61 (in notice: 1959); OREG: LP22981.
Produced by Herbert Coleman
Written by Mary and Willard Willingham
Directed by James Neilson
Starring: Audie Murphy (as "Whispering" Smith)
Guest Cast:
Henry Brandon ................. Claude Denton/Rex Denton
Hugh Sanders .................. Mayor Adams
Synopsis:
A prominent Denver citizen is murdered and Smith concocts a complicated plot to trap the killer. [MS]

[13] Whispering Smith: CROSS CUT  [verified on DVD -MS]
31Jul61 NBC
Revue prod. no. TP12806
ODAT: 28Aug60 (in notice: 1959); OREG: LP25686.
Produced by Joseph Hoffman
Written by David Lang
Directed by Christian Nyby
Starring: Audie Murphy (as "Whispering" Smith)
Guest Cast:
Audrey Dalton ................. April
Colin Male .................... Dakota
Jim Hayward ................... Gratch
Synopsis:
A young woman is claiming a large reward for shooting a notorious outlaw, but Smith is skeptical that she
actually shot the man. [MS]

[14] Whispering Smith: DOUBLE EDGE  [verified on DVD -MS]
07Aug61 NBC
Revue prod. no. TP12808
ODAT: 9May61 (in notice: 1959); OREG: LP23330.
14-DOUBLE EDGE
Produced by Joseph Hoffman
Teleplay by William R. Cox and Ellis Kadison / Story by William R. Cox
Directed by Christian Nyby
Starring: Audie Murphy (as "Whispering" Smith)
Guest Cast:
Myron Healey .................. Jim Conley
Lori Nelson ................... Venetia Molloy
Red Morgan .................... Molloy
Synopsis:
Smith witnesses a murder while passing by a rundown farmhouse. He goes inside to investigate, but when he
comes back out, the body is gone. [MS]

[15] Whispering Smith: TRADEMARK  [verified on DVD -MS]
14Aug61 NBC
Revue prod. no. TP12815
ODAT: 18Aug61 (in notice: 1960); OREG: LP22990.
Produced by Willard Willingham
Teleplay by Milton Krims / Story by Rod Peterson
Directed by Edward Ludlum
Starring: Audie Murphy (as "Whispering" Smith)
Guest Cast:
Marie Windsor ................. Maple Gray
Donald Buka ................... Fred Gavin
Forrest Tucker ................ Gunman Bardot
Andrew Winberg ................ Hard Luck Danny
Synopsis:
A charismatic young man comes to Denver and hatches a plan to make his fortune, a plan which results
in a series of murders. [MS]

[16] Whispering Smith: THE JODIE TYLER STORY  [verified on DVD -MS]
 21Aug61 NBC
Revue prod. no. TP12814
ODAT: 31Jul60 (in notice: 1959); OREG: LP23327.
Produced by Joseph Hoffman
Written by Jack Bennett
Directed by Christian Nyby
Starring: Audie Murphy (as "Whispering" Smith)
Guest Cast:
Rachel Foulger ................ Jodie Tyler
Read Morgan ................... Hob Tyler
Jimmy Carter .................. Tim Tyler
Synopsis:
A shopkeeper poses as a highwayman to kill his business rival. The plan sets in motion an unexpected
chain of results. [MS]

[17] Whispering Smith: POET AND PEASANT CASE  [verified on DVD -MS]
28Aug61 NBC
Revue prod. no. TP12838
ODAT: 1Sep61 (in notice: 1960); OREG: LP22991.
Produced by Willard Willingham
Written by Robert Bloch
Directed by Edward Ludlum
Starring: Audie Murphy (as "Whispering" Smith)
Guest Cast:
Alan Mowbray .................. Lord Hillary
Jack Catron ................... Carruthers
Yvonne Adrian ................. Sarah
Paul Keast .................... Summers
Dean Williams ................. Bartender
Synopsis:
Traveling actor Lord Hillary is bushwhacked on the outskirts of Denver, but escapes unharmed. When his
valet is murdered later, Romack believes he knows who killed him, but Smith isn't as convinced. [MS]

[18] Whispering Smith: DARK CIRCLE  [verified on DVD -MS]
04Sep61 NBC
Revue prod. no. TP12828
ODAT: 4Sep60; OREG: LP22982.
Directed and Produced by Herbert Coleman
Teleplay by William F. Leicester and Mary and Willard Willingham
Story by William F. Leicester
Starring: Audie Murphy (as "Whispering" Smith)
Guest Cast:
E.J. Andre .................... Philo
Diana Millay .................. Ellen Philo
Carleton Young ................ Fender
Adam Williams
Synopsis:
Denver's best attorney is also known for his drinking habits. A simple robbery scheme is hatched to take
advantage of the man's drunkenness, but things go wrong and a murder results. [MS] 

[19] Whispering Smith: SWIFT JUSTICE  [verified on DVD -MS]
 11Sep61 NBC
Revue prod. no. TP12837
ODAT: 26Sep61 (in notice: 1960); OREG: LP22995.
Produced by Willard Willingham
Written by Mary and Willard Willingham
Directed by R. Hamer Norris
Starring: Audie Murphy (as "Whispering" Smith)
Guest Cast:
Monte Burkhart ................ Nat Prine
Minerva Urecal ................ Flora MacDonald
William Tannen ................ Angus Campbell
Synopsis:
A family feud culminates in a horse race. When one of the riders is shot during the race, it's up to Smith
to settle the dispute. [MS]

[20] Whispering Smith: THE IDOL  [verified on DVD -MS]
 18Sep61 NBC
Revue prod. no. TP12809
ODAT: 14Aug60 (in notice: 1959); OREG LP23329.
Produced by Joseph Hoffman
Teleplay by Gene L. Coon / Story by Joseph Hoffman
Directed by Virgil W. Vogel
Starring: Audie Murphy (as "Whispering" Smith)
Guest Cast:
Joan O'Brien .................. Marilyn
Alan Hale, Jr. ................ Ole Brindessen
John Stephenson ............... Eddie Royce
Larry Perron .................. Tom Jerson
Marjorie Reynolds ............. Baby Doll Harris
The owner of the Silver Queen mine allegedly strikes it rich. But when the mine engineer is murdered,
Smith gets suspicious. [MS]
-------------------------------------------------
The following 6 episodes did NOT air on NBC network
-------------------------------------------------


[21] Whispering Smith: STRING OF CIRCUMSTANCES [verified on DVD -MS]
 unaired on NBC network
Revue prod. no. TP12810
ODAT: 23May61 (in notice: 1959); OREG: LP23331.
Produced by Joseph Hoffman
Written by Ric Hardman
Directed by Christian Nyby
Guest Cast:
Kathleen Freeman
Terence DeMorney
Olive Sturgess
Tyler McVey
Henry Hunter
Ken Christy
Synopsis:
Smith discovers a series of lethal explosions are curiously linked. [MS]

[22] Whispering Smith: THE INTERPRETER
Breaking News from TMG and NBC Universal, for the missing episode of Whispering Smith titled "The Interpreter"
has been found in The Library of Congress and has been included in the latest pressings of the DVD boxed set!
It is also available for free viewing at TMG timelessvideo.com and You Tube. [JB]

unaired on NBC network
Revue prod. no. TP12805 / ODAT: 25Apr61 (in notice: 1959); OREG: LP24334.
Produced by Joseph Hoffman
Written by Lawrence Menkin / Directed by Christian Nyby
Guest Cast
Paul Picerni ....... Enrico Spanato
Al Ruscio .......... Phillipe Carmotta
Johnny Seven ....... Mafia Killer
Robert Stevenson ... Sam
Sara Taft .......... Ida Martin
Kay Chaque ......... Mrs. Ensoni
Gilbert Frye ....... Townsman
*
Music: Gerald Fired
Director of Photography: Ray Rennahan, a.s.c.
Art Director: George Patrick
Editorial Supervisor: Richard G. Wray, a.c.e.
Film Editors: Richard Fritch, a.s..c. and Eugene Pendletton
Musical Supervision: Stanley Wilson
Set Decorator: John McCarthy
Sound: John C. Grubb
Assistant Director: Frank Fox
Costume Supervision: Vincent Dee
Makeup: Jack Barron
Hair Stylist: Florence Bush
The title "Whispering Smith" by permission of EMKA, LTD.

Synopsis 1:
Sicillian mob violence has spread all the way into Denver as a Sicillian interpreter has been accused of murdering
another Sicillian immigrant by shooting him in the back. Smith and Romack enlists a clairvoyant astrologer to help
get the murder suspect freed by finding the real killer. [JB]
Synopsis 2:
Enrico Spanato, a Sicillian interpreter, is accused of fatally shooting a fellow Italian in the back during a confrontation
on Denver's north side, even though he claimed somebody else fired a third shot at the fallen man. Smith and Romack
investigate the incident of Mafia violence, even enlisting an astrologer clairvoyant to help in solving the crime. [JB]

[23] Whispering Smith: THE HOMELESS WIND  [verified on DVD -MS]
 unaired on NBC network
Revue prod. no. TP12834
ODAT: 28Jul61 (in notice: 1960); OREG: LP22989.
Produced by Willard Willingham
Teleplay by J.R. Berggren and Willard Willingham / Story by J.R. Berggren
Directed by Frank Arrigo
Guest Cast:
Jim Davis as Sam Chandler
Alex Montoya
Antonio Lomeli
Ruben Moreno
Salvador Baguez
Synopsis:
Smith's attempt to bring in an old family friend turned outlaw is frustrated by a group of Mexican bandits,
who abduct the both of them and try to make them slaves. [MS]

[24] Whispering Smith: TRAIL OF THE AVENGERS  /  TRIAL OF THE AVENGERS [verified on DVD -MS]
unaired on NBC network
Revue prod. no. TP12821
ODAT: 5Sep61 (in notice: 1960); OREG: LP22992.
Produced by Willard Willingham
Written by Franklin Coen
Directed by Frank Arrigo
Guest Cast:
Leo Gordon
Bob Steele
Gene Roth
John Mitchum
Craig Duncan
Jim Hayward
Olan Soule
Synopsis:
Several outlaws converge in Denver. Smith and Romack discover that their target is a sadistic
former prison guard. [MS]

[25] Whispering Smith: PRAYER OF CHANCE [verified on DVD -MS]
 unaired on NBC network
Revue prod. no. TP12830
ODAT: 12Sep61 (in notice: 1960); OREG: LP22993.
Produced by Willard Willingham
Written by Tom Seller
Directed by Frank Arrigo
Guest Cast:
Peter Whitney
Lou Krugman
Vladimir Sokoloff
Cyril Delavanti
Leo Millar
Synopsis:
The statue of a mission's patron saint is stolen. While the Padre knows who the culprits are,
he will not identify them until Smith agrees to his conditions. [MS]

[26] Whispering Smith: HIRED TO DIE [verified on DVD -MS]
unaired on NBC network
Revue prod. no. TP12811
ODAT: 30May61 (in notice: 1960); OREG: LP23332.
Produced by Herbert Coleman
Written by Jack Jacobs
Directed by Francis D. Lyon
Guest Cast:
Arthur Franz
Viola Berwick
Mary Adams
Pamela Light
Jess Kirkpatrick
Dick Cutting
Synopsis:
The prodigal son of a rich widow returns home, but the homecoming soon turns to tragedy. [MS]

############### Whispering Smith #############
################# the end ##################
##############################################

Have you any comments, corrections, episode titles, air dates, production numbers, directors, writers, story/synopsis, guest stars, cast lists, etc?
Have you any old videos, or tv guides? Dust them off and let us know if you have any information on this series or any other tv series from the
Golden Age of TV, which is missing from any episode guides on the web. Perhaps a certain episode of a particular series coincided with a key
moment in your life, or in world events - and or has left a vivid memory of when it was shown. Let us know. Would you like to see any other
tv series guides on this site? If so please e-mail The Classic TV Archive - see Feedback below.
This guide may be distributed and copied freely, in its entirety, for personal use. All original author and copyright information must
remain intact. Any sales or other uses of this document are expressly forbidden, without the specific consent of the author(s).
Copyright © The Classic TV Archive. All rights reserved.

Return to The Classic TV Archive Western  Page
Return to The Classic TV Archive Home Page

Feedback  -  Western Forum