WHISTLING IN THE DARK was a comedy based on a popular stage play. How similar the film is to the play I have no way of knowing, but the film version was a vehicle for comic Red Skelton. Red plays a radio actor who portrays The Fox -the world's greatest detective and discerner of the criminal mind. When a cult is in danger of losing their fat inheritance to a member's relative, they kidnap Red and force him to create for them the Perfect Crime to do away with said relative. Red refuses, of course, but the cult figures he'll change his tune if they abduct his bride-to-be. In the process, they also snatch the producer's daughter, who has an eye on red and isn't aware of his intended bliss. All three are held hostage until Red can come up with a sure-fire means of bumping off the victim -what to do?!! Oh well, if you're going to be held hostage at a spooky old mansion, a fella could do worse than have Ann Rutherford and Vriginia Grey join him. WHISTLING IN THE DARK was a fun, and funny, poke at spooks, radio, and crime which came out a champ at the box office. Rags Ragland plays one of the goons, and he proved so popular that he was included when the characters were brought back for a sequel film, WHISTLING IN DIXIE. Somewhat slicker, and playing more to Red's brand of comedy, this one was all-out hysteria as Red and his still-not-married girl get sidetracked by a murder mystery before they can tie the knot. The pair still haven't made it to the altar when spies frame our hero in WHISTLING IN BROOKLYN. The wildest yet, it was also the last of the series. Fun on top of fun!
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