 The Communist for the FBI. Starring Dana Andrews in an exciting tale of danger and espionage. I was a Communist for the FBI. From the actual records and authentic experiences of Matt Sevetik, come many of the incidents in this unusual story. Here is our star Dana Andrews as Matt Sevetik, who for nine fantastic years lived as a Communist for the FBI. After nine years in the Communist Party, you're bound to get the idea. I did. It's a game, a vicious game of follow the leader. The problem is the followers never become leaders, and the leaders are all doomed to disaster. So nobody wins when you play the red game, and everybody, everybody loses. In a moment, listen to Dana Andrews as Matt Sevetik, Undercover Man, as Matt Sevetik, Undercover Man. This story from the confidential file is marked the inhuman element. No cell meeting this time, no secret discussions in a hidden room, no malicious business to transact, not tonight. Tonight is the night decreed by the commies as a social evening. Tonight the assignment is frivolity, whether you feel frivolous or not. Food, drinks, all you want, but don't want more than your party's superior. Laughter, sure, laugh all you want, but let your cell leader laugh first, or you may find yourself laughing at the wrong time. That's comrade Crits, Melden Crits, number one correspondent for the big party publications. They're letting him laugh all he wants tonight because he's the guest of our... Hey! Hey, Sevetik! This is a farewell party for him. He leaves on a new overseas assignment tomorrow. Where? I wish I knew. It might help if I knew. Hey, don't look so gloomy, Sevetik. You couldn't possibly miss me that much. How long you expect to be going, Mel? Two weeks, ten days, something like that. I'm copping the fattest news beat of the decade. Come here. Okay. No other party sending me? No. Orients. Why? Come here. High side. Huh? H-A-I-S-A-I. High side. Red guerrilla leader? Yup. What about him? Ah, well, I'm getting the first and only interview with him. But nobody even knows who or where, where he is. Leaders do. High side works for them, you know. Sure, but how you gonna find... The propaganda committee's fixing it for me. The first exclusive interview with the mysterious leader of the Red Guerrilla Raiders. Hey, excuse me. What's wrong? It's a refreshment problem again. And now there's Srypsy for old Mel Srypsy. Now I knew, but I didn't understand. High side's guerrilla raids were the scourge of the American settlements in that part of the Orient. And High side himself was that anonymous commie leader you'd read so much about. Unidentified, even after two years of calculated terrorizing. That mystery, that semi-legendary standing of his, was High side's greatest strength. Why should the commies want to reveal his identity now? The next morning, posing as an indignant comrade, I paid the propaganda committee a visit. State your business, Widdick. We haven't much time for petty problems. Would you call the welfare of the party a petty problem, comrade Logan? The point, the point. Get to the point. I don't like the assignment you've given comrade Cripps. You don't like it? Ha! Well, and just what do you know about it, Srypsy? I know that you're sending him to an interview with High side. High side's greatest strength lies in his mystery. To reveal his identity now would be to... Just a moment. One moment. Did comrade Cripps tell you this? Yes. He talks too much. Only to those he can trust. I wonder. Well, he told no one but me. We've been close friends for years. He felt he had to confide in someone. In case anything happened. All right, all right. What else do you know, Svetik? I know I don't like the assignment. It's your likes and dislikes are of no concern to the propaganda committee, comrade. Maybe not. But remember, I was sent to this area by the regional policy board. They'd be most interested in any report I might file. The board knows all about it, comrade. The entire upper echelon of the party is involved in this. We could never establish contact with High side without their help. Oh, I see. Our national board in New York has been in touch with the party nerve center in Europe. They, in turn, have issued orders to the Orient to let Cripps through, to lead him to High side headquarters, wherever that may be. Oh, why, Logan? Svetik, if we felt we could benefit by your judgment, we would have consulted you. Remember, Logan, you were judged by the minor members of the party, too. A foolish project like this might... Foolish? A project endorsed by party leaders all over the world? No, Svetik. High side has become a symbol, a large symbol. This news story will link him closer to every communist. We'll make our comrades realize that High side is working for them. Oh, is that the reason for the news story, Logan? Is High side becoming too big for the party? That's all, Svetik. I am a busy man. That is the reason for all this, isn't it, Logan? The party's getting worried about High side. The news story will tell the world that he's still just a puppet, that he's still linked directly with the cause. And if this theory of yours were true, Svetik, wouldn't you approve? No. No? No. I'd be afraid that the news story would reveal too much about High side. It might lead to his capture. Don't underestimate your superiors, comrade. We know what we are doing, even if you and our enemies do not. Beaker, this is Red. Hi. Got troubles? Listen, the party's sending Mel Kripps to the Orient, into Red territory. This guy? Yeah. They'll probably fix a phony one for him. Well, that'll be easy to stop. I'll just talk to you. No, no. Let him go. Why? Look, the whole party is doing a lot of international string pulling to get him over. They've arranged for him to interview High side. You know the guerrilla leader? After over a year. Well, this may do it. Let Kripps get his story. There may be some clues in it. Clues to High side's identity. I don't know for sure, but I have a hunch. The party's worried that High side's getting too big. They want to show the Reds that High side isn't just an independent guerrilla leader. That he's working closely with the party. Maybe I better get word to Central Intelligence. Let them check the Kripps stories. Check them while they're still warm. Then the CIA may be able to tag High side before he holds up. Right, Matt. Thanks. Within a week Mel Kripps had filed his first story. The commie press in America and all over the world hailed it as a tremendous scoop for the party. But the American government wasn't interested in scoops. They wanted High side. The stories kept coming in for five days. Cleverly written, liberally sprinkled with tantalizing facts about the guerrilla leader's headquarters, his henchmen. Even a carefully worded physical description of High side himself. The stories made it pretty clear that High side was working for the party all right. But they also cleared up some points about High side's identity. Beaker, this is Red. Been trying to reach you, Chem. About the High side stories? Yeah. Happy? No. What's wrong? We dug enough clues out of the articles to put together a good picture of High side. Great, then you- No, not great. We're pretty sure who High side is now. In fact, the whole world will know him soon. So? So, according to what we know now, High side is actually one of our own anti-communist leaders. What? It's George DePaul, a wealthy American planner over there. Well, DePaul's been fighting High side. Yeah, that's what we thought. But what we found in these articles, he is High side. Every clue, every carefully guarded fact points right to him. Well, at least we know the truth about him now. They trusted DePaul. He was their friend. Now, well, now they'll suspect every American who- Matt, are you sure this isn't another commie trick or something? No, Beaker. They wouldn't send Mel Crips that far for a trick. You'd better see that something is done about Comrade DePaul, though, and fast. Logan! Comrade Logan! Logan! What the devil are you cackling about? Oh, dear. Oh, dear. Delightful. A masterpiece. What an absolute masterpiece. The High side story, you know that? Look, repercussions are being full already. Here, read it. Read the headlines. Just came out. Anti-American riots in Orient. Anti-communist natives turned on their American benefactors today as rioters stormed the plantation of George DePaul. DePaul and Tent-Upon. Delightful? Not a little delightful. You enjoy seeing a comet torn apart by a mob? Comrade? DePaul is High-Sci, isn't he? Oh, Sweaty, you're as gullible as those natives. Wait a minute. Isn't he High-Sci? Well, of course not. But they aren't because they were- Oh, DePaul is High-Sci's worst enemy. And now his own friends, his own friends, are out to tear him to pieces. Wait a minute. Come on, make sense, Logan. Logan, you told me the party was sending Cripps right to High-Sci himself. And it was done. And Cripps saw High-Sci, and he wrote what he saw. Yes, yes, indeed. Then what are you- He wrote it as he saw it, all right. But we did some editing and some rewriting here before publishing the stories. To make the world think High-Sci was George DePaul. That was the whole idea, Sweaty, right from the start. We knew American intelligence would be checking the stories with uncommon interest. Did Cripps know that? Did he know his stories would be rewritten by you? No, but he won't mind. It's rather pleasant to see anti-communists fighting anti-communists. I wouldn't have it any other way. Would you come right? Or would you? Andrew, starring as Matt Severick. And I was a communist for the FBI. And the second act of our story. A direct propaganda hit for the Reds. An international bullseye. And I could have stopped it. I should have known better. I should have recognized the twists and turns. But no. Instead, I assured the FBI that the High-Sci articles were true. I'd helped turn American allies against a sincere American leader. Severick, here's Logan. I'm worried about you. I'm flattered. For two days those demonstrations in the Orient have been going on. We're turning anti-communists into anti-Americans. But you don't seem the least bit pleased. I'm confused, I guess. That all? When is Cripps due home? Just confused, Sweetic. Why the suspicions, Logan? You know more than you should. That can be dangerous, Sweetic. But I've only drawn the conclusions. If anything occurs to reverse our favorable situation regarding the High-Sci project, I'll have good reason to hold you responsible. Why me? As I say, Sweetic, it's dangerous to know more than you should. Too dangerous. From bad to worse, it would be suicide now for me to try to contact the FBI. Logan would be checking every move I made. All I could do was stand by, making noises like an ardent red. Grinning like a satisfied commie. While American authorities and hot-headed natives built a case against an innocent man. And then, two nights later, there was more, frivolity by assignment. A welcome home party for Mel Cripps. Maybe Cripps would be the answer. Maybe I could turn his reporter's instincts against the party. Maybe. Maybe. Maybe his training as a newshound would work for me. Hi, Majali. Good day. I am Matt, old boy. Well, welcome home, Mel. Oh, old Mel and Kelly Matthew. A long face of my farewell party and an even longer face of my welcome home shindig. It's a fine way to treat a pal. I'm sorry, Carmen. Because I've been thinking too hard. Oh, now you're the analytic type. Have you analyzed my series on the High-Sci yet? Yes. I didn't like it. No kidding. No. How come? It wasn't your series. Oh, sure it was. No. You reported the facts, but the propaganda committee changed them to suit the party. What's wrong with that? You're a good reporter, one of the best. A good reporter's first concern is the truth. I, uh, well, I just wish you'd been given an assignment that didn't need revising. Listen, Svetik, I'm a reporter for the Communist Party. My first concern is the Communist cause. The only truth I know is the inevitable proletarian revolt. Careful, Svetik. Steady. That's two strikes in a row. Strike one, not seeing through the commies overall scheme. Strike two, overestimating Crips as a newsman and underestimating him as a red. One more strike, and I'd be out. And before the evening was over, Comrade Logan was doing the pitching. In here, Svetik. Something wrong, Logan? Sit down. What were you and Crips talking about? Huh? Nothing special, small talk, mostly. I don't believe you. Well, ask him. Say, what's wrong with you? What did you expect us to be talking about? He told you nothing. About what? Logan, that suspicious mind of yours is beginning to back up on you. He told you nothing about his latest assignment? No. Does he get a new assignment? He just got back. He's leaving tomorrow for one of our satellite nations. From his conversation, did he seem to suspect the true nature of... He didn't even mention it. Why should he suspect? Yeah. Why should he suspect anything? Your trusted friend isn't coming back, Svetik. Crips? Why? What's he done? It's unfortunate, but he's the only lower echelon party member who knows the real identity of High-Sci. That knowledge is a threat to party security. But Crips is too loyal ever to tell what he knows about High-Sci. Yes, and human. Would you prefer a machine, Logan? Yes. But having none, we must purge ourselves of the most dangerous human elements. That's all, Svetik. Not a word of this to Crips, comrade, or you'll join him on his one-way journey. Look, Logan, Crips probably has notes on his original story about High-Sci. Maybe even a copy of the unedited dispatch. Yes. Yes, it may be. And if he does have them, and they should fall into enemy hands... Yes. Good thinking, Svetik. Good, good. If he has any notes on the real High-Sci, the one person he'd give them to is you. Well, I could try... The simple direct approach in the interests of the party. He couldn't refuse that. And if he does, I'd have three men stationed in the street beneath his apartment window. If he gives you trouble, just flip the window-shade up or down as a signal. When friendliness fails, violence usually succeeds. Good morning, Crips. Well, Matt Boy, come on in, come on in. You give me a hand with this packing, huh? You've hardly had a chance to unpack, Mel. Another tripsy for old Mel Cripsy. Say, hand me those ties, will you? Huh. There. One more suitcase to go. You look pretty happy about this trip. Why not? There's even a bigger story than the High-Sci Newsbeat. This time, I'm the first American reporter to penetrate that particular section of the Iron Curtain. Eee, American. Well, technically, anyway. Say, speaking of that High-Sci story, Carmen, you don't happen to have any copies of the original dispatch, do you? Well, you mean before they made George the Paul the Goat? Sure, why? Yeah, it might be dangerous to keep it around if it gets into the wrong hands. Eee, you're right, you're right. Let me see. Oh, here it is. Boy, oh boy. Well, the American government would do to get this little piece of paper. Let me see it. Sure. Now, wait a minute. I don't think the party wants this information bandied about among its members. Oh, don't be silly. Let's see. Oh, no, no. You better not, Matt. Why invite trouble? Oh. What are you looking for? Match. Got one? Match? Well, now, wait a minute. Oh, here's one. Here's one. Once this copy is burned, it, uh... Now, cut it out, you idiot. Hey, what are you doing? You burn that copy and the party will burn me. Logan sent me here to get that dispatch from you. Why? For the files. Give it to me, Mel. I warn you I... Oh! Let go! Let go, Savannah! Give it to me, I'll pay a crypt. Savannah! Give it to me, I'll break it! Here, take it, take it. Oh, that's better. Now, get on with your packing. Yeah, yeah, sure. Comrade. Oh, that's a medic. What are you... Oh. That gun, a souvenir from high size? Stand still. I'll take that dispatch out of your pocket and drop it on the table there. Do it! And if I don't, my trigger finger gets him exorcised. You always shoot people in broad daylight, windows open, shades up? Oh. Okay, smart guy, just stay put. Happy now? Thrilled. I like seclusion. Let's have that dispatch, Sevidic. Right now. Okay, I'll count five. Think you'll need some help? One. Two. Stand still. Three. This is your last go around, I want that copy. Four. Okay, comrade, this is what happens to traitors. Hey, what puts a gun away, Crips? Wait a minute, wait a minute. I care of him, comrade. Will you let me go? What are you doing? Well, the corner phrase, Logan. You came just in time. So I see. Crips, this is how you treat a comrade, a trusted friend, sent here in the interest of the party? You sent him here? I told you that, Crips. Did you find any notes or copies of the dispatch, Sevidic? Well, he doesn't have them anymore. That true Crips? You gave my vital secret away? I gave the only copy I had to Sevidic. Tell him, Sevidic, show them. Is it true, Sevidic? You saw the gun, Logan. What do you think? All right, comrades, take comrade Crips away. All right. Wait a minute, wait a minute. This is a frame up. What are you doing? I gave the copy to Sevidic, I tell you. Take the traitor away before he attracts all the neighbors. No, wait a minute. I tell you, I'm not a traitor. The party's my life. I swear, I gave the copy to Sevidic. I'm not a traitor. Well, Sevidic, want to join us in seeing comrade Crips to his final assignment? No, thanks, Logan. I've seen enough. You're a trusted friend, eh? I hope you're convinced, Sevidic. Trust and friendship are human elements. As you see comrade, humanity and communism don't mix. I know, Logan. I know. When Logan had gone, I put the original unedited copy of the dispatch into one of Mel Crips's personal envelopes and addressed it to the FBI. Its content would identify the real high sigh without a shadow of a doubt. George DePaul would be cleared of the false charges against him and high sigh would be brought to justice fast. Outside, I dropped the letter in a mailbox and walked away. The streets were empty, heavy with early morning silence. The city wasn't awake yet. The nation wasn't fully awake either, nor was the world. Until the city, the nation and the world were fully awake. I knew I must walk the empty streets in silence. I must walk the silent streets alone. Dana Andrews will return in just a moment. This is Dana Andrews, friends. One of the fundamental differences between tyranny and democracy is that in a tyranny, the people must follow the leader. In a democracy, the leader must follow the people. In the story you've 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 Saavedic, who worked undercover for the FBI. Next week, another fantastic adventure. Join us then, won't you?