Radio
Podcasts
I Was a Communist for the FBI - OTR

I Was a Communist for the FBI - OTR

Matt Cvetic

"I Was a Communist for the FBI" was an American old-time radio show that aired from 1952 to 1954. The program is based on the true experiences of Matt Cvetic, an undercover agent who infiltrated the Communist Party of the United States of America (CPUSA) on behalf of the FBI in the early Cold War period. Cvetic's real-life espionage and its dramatization were used as a means to expose and highlight the perceived threats of communism during the height of American anti-communist sentiment.
The show was produced by Ziv Television Programs and was a serialized drama, with each episode presenting a standalone story about Cvetic's dangerous life as an undercover agent within the Communist Party. The series dramatized various assignments Cvetic undertook, depicting his efforts to thwart the communists' plans while maintaining his cover and dealing with the emotional and moral dilemmas of leading a double life.
Dana Andrews, known for his roles in films like "Laura" and "The Best Years of Our Lives," starred as Matt Cvetic. The show was notable for its opening announcement: "I was a Communist for the FBI. I walk alone," which set the tone for the dramatic and suspenseful nature of the episodes.
The series also spawned a 1951 film titled "I Was a Communist for the FBI," which received an Academy Award nomination for Documentary Feature, although it was a dramatized narrative feature, not a documentary.
"I Was a Communist for the FBI" was part of a broader cultural and media trend during the early Cold War that included books, films, and other radio shows that depicted communists and Soviet agents as villains, reflecting the fears and politics of the era. The show remains a fascinating example of how media was used to influence public perception and serve political agendas during a tense period of American history.

for moreinfo https://www.quietperiodplease.com/

Categories: Arts