 I was a communist for the FBI. Starring Dana Andrews and an exciting tale of danger and espionage. I was a communist for the FBI. The story you're about to hear is based on the actual records and authentic experiences of Matt Sevetic, an undercover agent of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, who for nine fantastic years lived as a communist for the FBI. Here is our star, Dana Andrews as Matt Sevetic, undercover agent. Communists, as I learned over a period of nine miserable years, are particularly fond of children. Young minds are so susceptible to red poison. But some kids don't know what they're supposed to be susceptible to, and as in this story, even the Reds can't convince them. In a moment, listen to Dana Andrews as Matt Sevetic, undercover man. Now here is Dana Andrews as Matt Sevetic, undercover man. This story from the confidential file is marked, Hate Song. I was alone for a change. Comet Kettner and my other Comet playmates were marking time. No new projects on the Red agenda. The next cell meeting, two days away. I was even up to date on my reports to the FBI. Quiet hour. Sweet and blissful. Time to insulate the nerve endings. Time to forget the future. Enjoy the present. End of quiet hour. Nerves twanging like guitar strings again. Time for my past to explode in my face. Hello? Mr. Sevetic, please. Speaking. Who is this? Matt. Yes. Who is this? Matt. Who is this? Dr. Norquett, Matt, remember? Dr. Norquett. Well, Dr. Well, this is wonderful. What in the world are you doing so far from home? Same old. Still it's guiding light, huh? Yes, sir. I'm in a rut. That's a good rut to be in. That was years ago, doctor. Well, tonight I... Mr. Norquett. Number one booster for boys incorporated. A nationwide organization dedicated to the welfare and cultural and physical development of American kids. Years ago, I'd helped the doctor organize our hometown chapter. Years ago, when red was just a color and undercover meant a good night's sleep. Yes, sir, Matthew. You were an eager beaver in those days, all right? I confess, I enjoyed every minute of it, too. Now, tell me, what are you doing with yourself these days? Hmm? Oh, same old thing. Well, never mind about me. Boys incorporated is much more important. What are all these big plans of yours? Well, our chapter here has been rather slow and growing, Matt. We need more boys, more interests. And most important, we need more adults who'll be willing to work with the youngsters. We'll help the organization in general. We sure could use you, Matt. I'd love to do it, doctor, but the way my time is split up now, I... Well, nonsense. There's always some time. I'm afraid not, doctor. Uh, come on. Where? I'm going to convince you that it's worth your time. Well, doctor Norquett... Come along, and no arguments, Matthew. This gym is just one portion of what this building has to offer these kids, Matt. Look at that little guy punch that bag. Just a few months ago, he was doing that to other kids on the street. Come on, I'll show you the rest of this place. Hey, I wouldn't mind having a shop like this myself. And every bit of its free that these youngsters. Those kids, by the way, are making furniture to be used in other rooms around the building. This is just one of our music rooms, Matt. Who's the boy playing the piano? Pretty good, isn't he? He's tremendous. He'd be giving recital for us one of these days. He's good on the low hurdles, too. And the high jump. Art, music, athletics, outdoor activities. The kids share interest in everything, Matt. If not as participants, they enjoy themselves as spectators. It sounds like a sensible plan, all right. It is, and it seems to work. Thanks for your progress since I was... But we can sure use you, Matt. We need more boys to enjoy these activities. We need adults, interested parents, men and women who'll work for the organization. We need a hard-hitting local representative on the National Council. We need you. Easy, Doctor. Slow down. I'm sorry. I guess this project is somewhat of an obsession with me. It's so big in other parts of the country. It deserves to be big here, too. Dr. Norker, I wish I could help. Don't worry. There's plenty for you to do. I can't. What? I can't help you, Doctor. I just can't do it. My time is so limited. My work is... But, Matt, you must have some time. No. No time at all. Doctor, it's getting late, and I... I have a company meeting to attend. If you'll excuse me. You're all right, Matt. Don't let me keep you from your work. Company meeting, of course, meant cell meeting. And that was still a day away. But how could I tell Dr. Norker that my business was treacherous? My colleagues were comish. Only the FBI knew why I was doing it. But I couldn't tell Dr. Norker that. The next night, the red plan gathered at the home of our cell leader, Comet Kettner. I was in for two surprises this evening. One of them almost pleasant. The other, true-to-comy form, unpleasant. Well, comrades, you think it's about time we got this meeting underway? I just assumed it wasn't that piano, Kettner. Who's playing? Oh, that's nephew of mine. Leo! Leo! Don't stop it. It's fine. Leo! Come in here. We haven't time to cater to your bourgeois taste for culture, Comet. What are you calling, Uncle Jack? Yes, come in here. That was surprise number one. It had never occurred to me that Kettner's nephew would be the same boy had seen playing the piano in the music room that boys incorporated. He was a shy kid about 15 years old, and he seemed to have very little taste for his uncle's friends. I'm not finished with my practice. Oh, yes, you are. No, comrades, Leo is that rare form of human. A teenage boy who enjoys playing the piano. You play very well, Leo. Thank you. Yes, Leo. Perhaps you'll oblige my comrades by opening our meeting with the rendition of the International. I don't know it. Of course you'll know it. Play it. I don't know all of it. Play it, I said. We can hear the piano in the next room. You see, comrades, discipline in musical tastes. This is important, this physical discipline. Especially in the young mind. Ah, there we are. You know the words I trust. Leo! Leo, what do you think you're doing? It wasn't a pretty scene. It takes more than that to embarrass communists. In a matter of moments, Leo was forgotten and Comrade Kettner was setting the stage for surprise number two. The unpleasant one. Now then, Mr. Betty, would you mind telling us what you've been doing with yourself these last two days? What? I don't understand what that is. Well, you were seen in the presence of one Dr. Norquett yesterday. You had to know with him. You went with him to the new headquarters where the boys incorporated. Yes, that's right, I did. The boys incorporated stands for everything alien to our exalted cause. I think an explanation is due. Dr. Norquett happens to be an old friend of mine, Comrade Kettner. I see. And you and he are old friends, eh? Yes. In fact, he even asked me to help him recruit for that decadent organization of his. Naturally, I refuse. You refused? Yes. Of course I refused. Why? Sibetic. Aren't you aware that the party's been trying to infiltrate that organization locally for some time? Infiltrate boys incorporated? Of course. What are you talking about? The young mind, Comrade. The fertile, malleable, youthful mind. If we can place our comrades in key positions throughout that organization, we have access to those minds. Just a minute. How can we infiltrate that type of... Simple, Comrade. Simple. Do your friendship with Dr. Norquett. Now, you say that he asked you to recruit for it. Good. You do just that. Every cell member here with an eligible child will see that that child becomes a member of boys incorporated. Now, look, Kettner. I've already told Dr. Norquett that I wouldn't be able to... Change your mind, Sibetic. You'll recruit us. I must confess, my nephew is already a member of boys incorporated. His mother seems to approve of it. Now I can make it serve the party. Suppose we do get into the organization, Kettner. What good can it do? How can we change the setup to suit us? Because I understand that boys incorporated has a national council consisting of adults who represent local areas, the policy makers. Now, with a little planning, Comrades, we can spearhead a drive to get me elected to the National Council of Boys Incorporated. What's the matter, Sibetic? Don't you approve? I tell you what's ridiculous. Dr. Norquett is your friend, Sibetic. He's asking you to help him. It's the least you can do for a friend. All back to Dana Andrews starring as Matt Sibetic. And I was a communist for the FBI and the second act of our story. Parasites were at work now determined to drain every drop of decency from a great organization. This time they were disguised as eager parents of eager kids. Eager to turn the facilities of boys incorporated into a training ground for treachery. Matt, these past few weeks have been a revelation to me. I can't tell you how grateful I am. Grateful for what, Doctor? For what? Why, for the way you've increased our membership. Look, look at those boys. Ever see this gym so active? Wonderful youngsters. And their parents. And especially fond of that Kettner fellow. Wonderful worker, Matt. Diligent, sincere. Yeah. Kettner is terribly sincere. I've already spoken to him about running for the National Council. What? As our local representative. He seems quite willing. Doctor, you don't want Kettner on the National Council. He's just not... He's ideal for the job, Matt. What's more, the other adult supervisors agree with me. I couldn't tell Doctor Norquett about Kettner or the other diligent, sincere workers. Kettner knew how close I was with the doctor. He'd know instantly how Norquett learned the truth. And if that happened, the FBI would be out one under Kellenham. I left the doctor in the gym and wandered through the halls of the building trying to figure some way to get the truth across to Norquett. I passed the woodworking rooms buzzing with activity. The art department pungent with the aroma of oils and the sweet smell of clay. The music rooms were dark as I approached them, but one of them was occupied. I paused at the open door and splintered through the gloom. Seated at the piano, alone, pecking disparately at the keys. Was Leo Kettner? Well, it's all right, Leo. I was just wondering who was in here. I was just going home, Eddie. No, it's okay. It's all right. Wasn't that the international you were playing? You ought to know. You're one of them. One of what? My uncle, Comrat. And I'll see you later. Wait a minute! You don't like your uncle's Comrat, do you? No. Your mom doesn't either. There's nothing we can do about it. Uncle Jack is supporting us. I see. Uh, You haven't been very active around here lately. I haven't seen you working out on the track. Well, on the piano either, for that matter. Why should I? Why shouldn't you? Here, here's why I shouldn't. That's why. You and Uncle Jack and your comrades all over the place. Dr. Norca doesn't seem to mind. I know. I thought he was a decent guy. What do you mean? You heard me just like the rest of you. No, isn't he? You ought to know. He even gets my uncle nominated to run for the National Council. He wants me to play piano for the program on election night. It seems to me all you'd have to do is tell the other supervisors what you know about your uncle. Oh, sure, sure. Where would mom and I go after that? Excuse me, it's late. Mom will be home from work soon. Olio! Alexan, maybe if you... Listen, Mr. Svetic, the world tells us we got to respect our elders. But it doesn't tell us how to respect communists, so we need a loan. Hi, comrades. Let's bring the meeting to order. Now, first of all, progress report on our work within boys incorporated. As you know, the good Dr. Norcott has nominated me for the election to the National Council. Do you think you'll win that election, Comrade Kettner? I must win, Svetic. Having progressed this far, the party will not tolerate it to people. There's only one way I could possibly lose now. If Dr. Norcott or any of the other voters should learn our true purpose, if they were to discover that I were working for our exalted red cars, but I'm sure that won't happen. Will it, Comrade Svetic? No, Comrade Kettner. It probably won't. What does the state look to you from here, Matt? That's very impressive, Doctor. Yes, sir. I hope this auditorium will be pulled tomorrow night, Matthew. Do you really expect that big a turnout? Our first election, I should say so. Got a great program lined up for entertainment. Parents are more excited than the kids. How excited are they about Kettner? They love him. May even be a unanimous vote. Incidentally, you know how sulky young Leo Kettner's been lately? Leo? Yes, he's been kind of upset. One of his adolescent moods, I guess. A lot of talking. But I finally convinced him to give a piano recital as a climax of the program. Oh? Well, that's... that's fine. He didn't give you any clue to his moodiness, did he? Oh, he'll be all right. Between him and his uncle, it'll be an all-Kettner show. The Kettner steamroller was the red steamroller. But Norquett and the voters were colorblind. There had to be some way I could throw the commies off their course. Some way to prevent them from ramming their man into the policy-making body of boys incorporated. But the big night came too soon. The auditorium filled with beaming parents. The kids put on a wonderful show. Even as young Leo Kettner finished his first encore, I've not found a way to stop the race. Look at that, Svedic. Listen to them. They love that kid. They should, Kettner. The boy's good. Good. Good is right. Good for us, good for me, and good for the party. But when he leaves the stage, the building starts. And, like Kettner, the name will be uppermost in their minds. That's his second encore. Didn't think he'd be willing to play this well, considering his attitude. Oh, he's not doing it for my benefit. Typicalism. bourgeois training. He's playing the piece, that mother of his. It was Leo's second encore. Now the balloting is certain to begin. Too late for me to block the coming advance. Too late for me to... Wait. They won't let the boy leave the stage. He's bowed three times, four times, but they insist on another encore. The poor kid looks confused. They will them. He's pausing in the wings. It's obvious that he's not prepared for another encore. He doesn't seem to know exactly what to do. If I could get to him before the appallage fades away. If I could get to him before he begs off completely. If I could only reach him now. Ah. Ah. Leo. Leo, wait. Mr. Spedek. Listen, what do I do? I don't know what to play. Play a request, Leo. A request. I haven't got anything else ready. Oh, yes you have. Play a request. A special personal request from your uncle. He's requested that you play the international. Oh, no. No, I couldn't. Leo, don't you understand? That's his favorite song. And this is his big night. Play it. He deserves it, Leo. Don't you understand? He deserves it. Election tonight, I... I'd like to play... Well, it's a special request from my uncle Jack. This number is the uncle Jack's own personal favorite. The song he likes best of all. I'm playing it for you and for him. What's that song he's playing? I don't know, Dr. Norquett. Sounds familiar, but I just can't seem to place it. That's it. It's the international. Why, Matt? Why? What's wrong with the boy? He said it's his uncle's favorite, doctor. But the communist anthem. That's right. And he said it's his uncle's favorite. It worked all right. Young Leo took his cue and played it to the hilt. When the excitement died down, Comrade Kettner had vanished from the hall. Other seats were empty too. Seats that had been occupied by other counties. The Reds didn't stay to witness their denouncement and defeat. But Leo didn't stay either. I found him outside the building, huddled on the steps of the fire exit, sobbing bitterly. I tried to comfort him, but I wasn't very good at it. What can I do now, Mr. Svendick? I can't go back inside and there. I can't go back to my uncle's house. Where can I go? What can I do? Leo, listen to me. Dr. Norquett knew nothing about the Reds. Nothing. You're a Red. How can I believe you? Sure. I'm a Red. But the doctor isn't. You saw how he reacted to the Reds. You saw how he reacted to that scene inside. Leo, is that you? Oh, he's right here, doctor. Come inside, Svendick. There's an auditorium full of people waiting to thank you for what you've done. Thank... Thank me. Of course. Come on. You too? You want to thank me too? Atta boy, Leo. Having that? No, doctor. I'll be in later. As you wish. It was over now. The Red steamroller had flattened its own crew of commies. Ketner was called out of town by party officials with sinister suddenness. Boys Incorporated saw that Leo and his mother were cared for. And I... Well, I just walked away. I left a good friend in the part of my past behind me and just walked away. You walk without friends, without memories when you walk the red, red road. When you walk the road alone. Dana Andrews will return in just a moment. This is Dana Andrews reminding you that there's an additional state in this union of ours, the state of mind known as freedom. Its borders extend as far as the mind of man. Its constitution is the Bill of Rights. Its chief executive, you. In the story you just heard, names, dates and places are fictitious to protect innocent persons. Many of these stories are based on incidents in the life of Matt Savetti who worked undercover for the FBI. Next week, another fantastic adventure. Join us then, won't you?