The Power of the Whistler (1945)

The Power of the Whistler poster

Columbia Pictures
Starring:
 Richard Dix, Janis Carter, Jeff Donnell
Directed by: Lew Landers

Cat Out of the Bag Alert!  This review contains some spoilers for this film!

Synopsis: Jean Lang (Janis Carter) decides to read a stranger’s fortune with playing cards and twice foretells he will die within 24 hours.  She warns the man (Richard Dix) and finds out he is suffering from amnesia caused by an earlier accident.  She then tries to help him figure out who he is, but who will help her when his memory returns and he isn’t necessarily the nice guy he appears to be?

Kitty Cameo: While trying to help “George” (the temporary name Jean comes up with for her unknown acquaintance) they visit an address on a prescription in his pocket.  As they step out of the taxi, they stop to talk to a little girl sitting on the steps of a building.  She is holding a gray and white kitten in her lap.

Power of the Whistler - little girl holding kitten Fritzy

George asks the girl what the kitten’s name is and she explains the kitten’s name is Fritzy.  Jean looks for the doctor while George continues to talk to the girl.  He then offers her some money to get an ice cream cone and the little girl happily agrees, handing Fritzy to him to watch for her.

Power of the Whistler - George holding kitten Fritzy

Kitty Carnage Warning! When Jean comes back she and George go back to the taxi but he no longer has Fritzy.  They climb inside the cab and a moment later the little girl appears with her ice cream cone, pausing at the cab window to thank George.  Moments later the cab pulls away from the curb and in the back window we can see the little girl cradling a limp figure in her arms, crying, “Fritzy!  Oh Fritzy!”

Power of the Whistler - little girl holding dead kitten Fritzy

It’s a blood-chilling scene and one that foretells George’s true nature.  But one seriously has to wonder why a little girl is sitting outside with her kitten accepting money from strange men for ice cream so late at night?

Final Mewsings: Don’t ever let Richard Dix hold your kitten!


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