on 5/27/2023, 12:20 am
Posted by Gordon Gates on 4/27/2016, 10:38 pm
THE WHISTLER: The Glass Dime" 1955
This is episode 25 from the 39 episode run of, THE WHISTLER television series. The series ran during 1954 and 1955. It is based on the popular radio and film series of the same name. Each episode begins with the sound of footsteps and a person whistling. The episodes followed the same formula, in that someone's criminal acts were undone, either by an overlooked detail, or by their own stupidity. During the episodes, the Whistler (William Forman) himself narrated, often commenting directly upon the action.
Robert Hutton headlines this particular episode. Hutton is a low-end loser of a con-man on the run from the Police. He hits town to try and put the bite on his wealthy uncle, Phil Tead. Tead wants nothing to do with Hutton and tells him to beat the feet.
Hutton now heads to a night club he knows to see if an old girlfriend is there. The woman, Darlene Fields, is the club photo girl. Fields likes the smooth talking Hutton but can't help in the cash area. She has none. Hutton's luck though seems to change for the better. A man, Charles Fredericks, approaches Hutton and offers him $10,000 for a 'small favour."
The favour is that Hutton's uncle has a rare coin called the "Glass Dime." If Hutton would lift said coin from the uncle, Fredericks would pay him 10 large. Needless to say Hutton jumps at the chance to get some heavy cash. He breaks in and lifts the coin from his uncle's desk.
Of course nothing can ever be that easy. The Police are quickly called in and Hutton's name and description go out over the radio. Hutton needs a safe spot to hide out till he can trade the coin. He heads for the apartment of his ex-wife, Eve Miller. The two have been divorced for years and Hutton is sure the Police will never look there.
Hutton charms his way in and soon has his ex mixed up in the deal. Miss Miller is still hot for Hutton even though he was a heel to live with before. She had cut the cords with Hutton before over the b-girl, Fields. Hutton tells Miller that he has not seen Miss Fields in years. Miller agrees to be the middle in the exchange of the dime for the 10 grand.
While Miller is out, Hutton is on the phone calling Fields to make plans to blow town when he gets the cash. The viewer can tell this whole thing is not going to end well for Mister Hutton. And it doesn't as Hutton gets grabbed up by John Law. The uncle says he will drop the charges if Hutton returns the dime.
The dime is not returned, however: Miss Miller has had second thoughts, and calls Hutton from a pay phone. The dime she uses is the "Glass Dime".
This is a pretty entertaining little episode in my opinion. Hutton is great as the loser who cannot buy a break.
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