Whispering Smith

Whispering Smith

Whispering Smith is an American Western series that aired on NBC. Based on a 1948 movie, the series stars Audie Murphy as Tom "Whispering" Smith, a police detective in Denver, Colorado. Filming of the series began in 1959, but the program did not air until May 8, 1961, because of unexpected production problems. Whispering Smith combines elements of CBS's Have Gun – Will Travel starring Richard Boone, NBC's Tales of Wells Fargo starring Dale Robertson, the syndicated Shotgun Slade with Scott Brady, and ABC's The Man From Blackhawk, a Stirling Silliphant production starring Robert Rockwell. While the setting of the series is unique, it is otherwise a standard detective program.

Western

Seasons

1. The Blind Gun

Air Date: 1961-05-08

2. The Grudge

Air Date: 1961-05-15

Smith suspects an influential businessman of murdering his brother when he announces he has an iron-clad alibi without being asked.

3. The Devil's Share

Air Date: 1961-05-22

Smitty becomes suspicious when a woman claims to have shot an alleged mugger who is found wearing a distinctive ring but didn't have a mark on his finger showing he wore it for any length of time.

4. Stakeout

Air Date: 1961-05-29

Members of an outlaw gang that George Romack formerly rode with try to blackmail the Denver police detective into assisting them pull a robbery. When Romack refuses to resume his criminal career, the gang abducts his wife to force his cooperation.

5. Safety Value

Air Date: 1961-06-05

6. Stain of Justice

Air Date: 1961-06-12

A stagecoach is held up and a passenger onboard is killed for $5,000.

7. The Deadliest Weapon

Air Date: 1961-06-19

An English lord who is also a noted poet is hired to recite his poetry at the Denver Opera House as a benefit for the widows and orphans of miners killed in a recent mine disaster.

8. The Quest

Air Date: 1961-06-26

An alcoholic lawyer who threatened the owner of a casino the night before is framed for his foe's murder.

9. Three for One

Air Date: 1961-07-03

A match race between two feuding family's prize horses ends in tragedy when one of the jockeys is shot from the saddle by an unknown assailant.

10. Death at Even Money

Air Date: 1961-07-10

11. The Hemp Reeger Case

Air Date: 1961-07-17

12. The Mortal Coil

Air Date: 1961-07-24

13. Cross Cut

Air Date: 1961-07-31

14. Double Edge

Air Date: 1961-08-07

15. The Trademark

Air Date: 1961-08-14

16. The Jodie Tyler Story

Air Date: 1961-08-21

17. Poet and Peasant Case

Air Date: 1961-08-28

18. Dark Circle

Air Date: 1961-09-04

19. Swift Justice

Air Date: 1961-09-11

20. The Idol

Air Date: 1961-09-18

Ole Brindessen sees swindler Eddie Royce commit murder.

21. String of Circumstances

Air Date: 1961-09-25

Smith and Romack investigate a series of bombings that rock Denver. The detectives can find no apparent connection between the two victims, one a mine owner, the other an Irish traveling salesman, until they discover a ball of twine in a popular boarding house that was linked to both crimes.

22. The Interpreter

Air Date: 1961-10-02

Enrico Spanato, a Sicilian interpreter is accused of killing a fellow Italian by several of the dead man's friends. Although Smith finds evidence that someone might have fired a shot at the interpreter, he can find no one who who will testify that the shooting was self-defense because the Italians in the neighborhood fear the growing power of the Mafia.

23. The Homeless Wind

Air Date: 1961-10-09

Whispering Smith captures Sam Chandler, a fugitive near the Mexican border. His plans to return him to Denver where he is wanted for murder are dashed when the two men are captured by Mexican bandits who only keep them alive to serve as personal slaves.

24. Trial of the Avengers

Air Date: 1961-10-16

Smith and Romack have their hands full investigating a violent death that might be murder and dealing with a gang of ex-convicts who have suddenly descended on Denver. The former wards of the state appear to be planning to settle an old score, but who is the would-be victim? And is the gathering related to the late night shooting that Bob Mullet claims was self-defense?

25. Prayer of a Chance

Air Date: 1961-10-23

Two outlaws steal a valuable jeweled statue from a Catholic church, but the parish priest refuses to give Smith a description of the villains unless he agrees to pursue them unarmed. The Denver detective reluctantly agrees and manages to catches up with the culprits in the desert. Smith begins a deadly game of cat-and-mouse in the middle of the waterless wasteland using canteens of water as deadly weapons.

26. Hired to Die

Air Date: 1961-10-30

A not-so-devoted husband hires a Kansas City killer to travel to Denver to murder his wife when the couple arrive by stagecoach several days later. After the young woman dies, he sets about arranging for his mother's return to England after an absence of 14 years. The older woman, however, becomes suspicious of her doting "son's" true identity.

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Rating

5.3/10

Release Date

1961-05-08

Episodes

26 (1 seasons)

Status

Ended

Cast

Production Companies

Whispering Co.

NBC

NBC