 I was a 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 Maths-Semitic, come many of the incidents and its unusual story. Here is our star Dana Andrews as Maths-Semitic, who for nine fantastic years lived as a communist for the FBI. You've heard it said, too often no doubt, that it's a woman's privilege to change her mind. The communists I've known don't go for that theory at all. Rather than have a woman change her mind, the Reds will go to great lengths to change the woman. This practice can be dangerous for the woman and for the Reds. This story will tell you why. In a moment, listen to Dana Andrews as Maths-Semitic, under cover man. Now here is Dana Andrews as Maths-Semitic, under cover man. This story from the confidential file is marked, The Unwelcome Hosts. Sounds very cozy and civilized, doesn't it? Everyone's having a gay old time, and why not? This is a communist cell meeting, and these happy Reds are planning to liquidate an unsuspecting comrade. What could be more fun for a commie than that? Can you imagine her face when she finds herself on the boat back to Russia for discipline? Well, let's get down to business. The control commission has issued a few instructions. Look, comrade Lochet. Oh, yes, comrade Semitic? I'm still not sure why this Rossdorf woman is considered an enemy of the party. It really doesn't matter why, Semitic. Moscow has informed us that she is, so she is. Well, we can't question that, but still... I do know this, however. Sanya Rossdorf was a trusted news correspondent for Soviet publications. She wangled a trip to America, presumably to cover events of the litigation. But actually, it was a way of escaping from the party. But are we sure of that? I'd hate to see an innocent woman punished. Do we doubt the word of our leaders? Of course not. All right then. Before comrade Rossdorf left for America, she confided to one of her close friends that she intended to quit the party and become an American citizen. Oh, I see. And her friend informed our leaders in Russia, that it? Exactly. Now we have orders to see to it that Sanya Rossdorf does not become an American citizen. As a Soviet newswoman, she learned too much of party operations. As soon as possible, passage back to Moscow will be arranged for, and our job will be done. Now, about these instructions from the control commission. Here we are, Semitic. Oh yes, comrade. You are assigned to handle the Sanya Rossdorf project. Me? By me? Naturally, I'll help in any way I can. But I don't even know the woman. And get to know her. You're familiar with the workings of our communist press? She's a part of it. Win her confidence. Make her trust you. Well, look, comrade, I'm very flattered by all this. But after all, I'm no lady's man. Rossdorf woman is a widow and a lone. She probably has a few friends here. Some of them are loyal party workers who keep us informed of her activities. But since she's leaving the party for the bourgeoisie, she must be hungry for someone to trust, someone to help her. All right, comrade, I'll help her. Good. There's a ship leaving for the Soviet in two weeks. It's up to you, Semitic, to help Sanya Rossdorf to be on it. I visited Sanya Rossdorf at the Legation's press room. She wasn't really a beautiful woman, but her smile was shy. Her deep-set eyes were large and full of memories. Her mannered gentle. All this added up to a disarming attractiveness. After a few visits, our conversations came easily. Maybe she was flattered to find someone so interested in her work, or maybe she was just eager to find a friend. There. Done. Well, perhaps this dispatch will please our leaders more. Haven't they been satisfied with your others? Comrade Semitic, it is so difficult. I am told to describe American life. I write what I see. Then I am chastised for it. Why? You don't favor this capitalistic rap race, do you? No, no. Of course not. But in describing the truth, one cannot avoid mentioning the stores so abundant with so many foods, with the gleaming white appliances for cooking, the colorful fashions for women, the untroubled children. No, of course these are all symbols of the superficial bourgeois existence. Sure. I hope you realize that by acknowledging them, I do not praise them. Hey, I've got an idea. As long as these superficial symbols are here, let's let you and I exploit them a little. No. I do not understand. Let's have some fun at the expense of the capitalistic system. Let's squander American money on useless bourgeois entertainments. Oh, no Comrade Semitic. The workers for the cause cannot stoop to impractical pleasure. Oh, don't be silly. I'm as loyal to the party as you are. How can you describe American life if you don't know how Americans have fun? That is true. No, really. I thank you, but I must, you know... Must what? I must... nothing. Good. Let's go. Let's show the capitalists that communists can have fun, too. Little lady, hit your strength. Just raise this flinch above your pretty little head and bring it down with all the power in your body. You ready now? Yes. I am ready. Oh, one, or two. Did I do that? You're on your own little biceps. That's right. Little lady, you got there, Mr. Spock. Look at that. Oh, well you have, ladies, the Cupid doll or the genuine plastic doll, ladies. Well, the vase is more of fun journals on you. Yes, I know. I will take the Cupid doll, please. Hey, gal, you look mighty funny on that wine, huh? Funny about me. I was born to the merry-go-round saddle. You're just nuts. Jump down. That was fun. Well, where to now? Roll the coaster, snap the whip. No, nothing more now. Turnable, so exhausting. Okay, let's sit down a bit. This bench okay? Good. Matt. Huh? Forgive me. For what? I have been thinking. Oh, forget about it. We all make that mistake. No, no, I'm serious. I've been thinking how much you enjoy all this. Sure. Don't you? Oh, yes. Yes, I do. So very much. But, Matt, these entrements, they do not contribute to the progress of our cause, do they? Oh, well. Guess we're a couple of traitors. You're not really worried, are you? Matt, there's so much fun in America. Is it wrong to enjoy things now and then? To do things just for the sake of enjoying them? No, Sonia. It's not the least bit wrong. Oh, I'm so glad, Matt. So very glad that you feel that way, too. Ordinarily, I wouldn't have dared to agree with Sonia. But under the circumstances, Comrade Loche would have to consider my attitude a part of the gag, part of the treachery I was expected to work against Sonia. To Sonia, though, my words of agreement were an act of faith, a sign that I'd be willing to help her. And actually, that's just what I wanted to do. In spite of Loche and the other red cellmates, I was determined not to send Sonia back into the hands of the commies. She could be invaluable to the FBI, in the fight against Reds. I might have figured a way to save her if I'd had the time, but the next day, I received an unexpected visit from Loche himself. Comrade Severic, I hate to interrupt your courtship with Sonia Rostov, but our superiors are getting jittery. Jittery? Why? I have her eating out of my hand. New orders, Comrade. Moscow is displeased with the latest dispatches the Rostov woman has been filing. They want her taken out of circulation till she sails, next week. What do you mean, out of circulation? She's not that dangerous. Evidently, she is, Severic. She'll have to be taken into custody until we... Take her prisoner? Well, you're crazy. We'd just be calling attention to that. Severic, I'm surprised at you. There are many party members who'd be delighted to keep Comrade Rostov for a week. Maybe even one of her own friends. Yeah, fine, fine. Naturally, we'd supply the opiates and other drugs. Drugs? They're talking like a two-bit melodrama. Would you like to see the orders yourself? They came this morning. All right, all right, I believe you. But what arrangements have been made? How am I supposed to take her on your prisoner? That, my comrade, is your problem. I'll make sure that the other cells in this area are alerted. When you've prepared her for the trap, let me know. I'll see to it that the trap has sprung. Oh, and Severic. Yeah? Work fast. Our leaders want prompt action. If you can't satisfy them, I will. The whole thing was like a pulp story. But this nightmare was real. There was no time for intrigue now. If I didn't get to Sonya fast, Loche would. There was only one thing for me to do. Take the big chance. Bank on Sonya's faith in me. I went to her apartment and told her the truth. The whole commie planned to send her back to Russia. I told her to get out of town. I'd do anything to stay out of the reach of the Reds. But she had no money. And you can't travel far on hope. So we checked through her address book, found the names of John and Mara Levitt. Sonya had met them at a ceramics course. They're all taken together. They were nice people. Mr. Levitt answered the phone. When he heard the desperation in Sonya's voice, he told her to come right over. And that's exactly what we did. Sonya, dear, you have the best room in the house. I'll fix it up with clean curtains and a new bed. Oh, no. Please, no bother. Well, I can see Sonya's in good hands. Don't worry about a thing, Mr. Svedic. She's in very good hands. Oh, Charming. It's Charming's room. It's a good room for her. I'm sure it's very comfortable. Go inside, dear. Take your clothes. Make yourself at home. Perhaps I will only be a moment. Yes, go ahead. Take your time. Oh, Mr. Levitt. Did your wife lock the door? Exactly. I locked the door. What would you expect? But you took the key. Sonya's in... Oh, he's here. I'll get it. Oh, he made good time. We only called him after Sonya called us. You must admit we were fast, eh, Comrade Svedic? Comrade. Well, Svedic, I see you delivered the woman after all. Okay. I must say you didn't give us much warning. At least the Levitts were alert enough to call me immediately. You think you came over here... Oh, if she's going to make that much noise... Don't worry, Comrade Levitt. I brought the remedy for that. Look, you're going to keep her prisoner here. The Levitts are respectable people. By the way, Comrade Svedic, just what did you tell Sonya to make us so willing to come here? Well, Svedic, speak up. What did you tell Sonya? Calling us Matt Svedic. And I was a communist for the FBI. And the second act of our story. I was the spider, the unwilling red spider, and Sonya rust off the fly. But my efforts to keep her out of the commie web had brought her directly into it. And I was caught there with her. I stalled while Sonya hammered on the locked door. Then the Levitts went into Sonya's room with an ominous-looking hypodermic syringe. In a few moments, she was quiet. And Loche was quizzing me again. I'm waiting, Svedic. What made Comrade Rostov so eager to come here? What did you tell her? What do you think I told her, Loche? If I'd lost her confidence, I'd never have gotten her here. So I did the only sensible thing. What did you tell her, Svedic? I told her exactly what you were planning to do to her. What? I told her you were planning to ship her back to Russia. I told her she had to hide to get away, to disappear. Svedic, are you out of your mind? Am I? Think about it, Loche. Think hard. Sonya's in our custody now, isn't she? She's just where we wanted her. Isn't she? Yes. Yes, of course she is. But if that foolhardy plan had failed... It didn't fail, Comrade. If I'd thought it would fail, I never would have used it. You played dangerous games, Svedic. Are you satisfied with the results? Yes, I... I must admit that I am. Then I'd appreciate it if you didn't find fault with my method. I'm sorry, Comrade. Frankly, I admire you. Courage, efficiency, and results. A noble combination. Now, what about Sonya? Is she to stay here or what? She'll stay until it's time to put her on the ship. The Levitts will see that she's properly scared for her. If those sedatives... The roster of women is dangerous to our cause, Svedic. What's more important? One woman's life or the progress of the Red Master Plan? I'd managed to bluff my own way out of the trap, but Sonya was still there, a prisoner of the commies. I'd hoped to avoid calling the FBI for help, but now the situation was desperate. I phoned my FBI contact, explained the problem as well as I could, and arranged to meet him that night. Still are up there? Yeah, it's practically empty. Regular Ethel. Ethel should get a red star from mileage. I'll take the red star, Ethel. Okay, man. What did you find out, Beaker? Can you get Sonya out of the Levitts' apartment? No, man. The FBI can interfere. Sonya Rostov isn't a citizen. Maybe the local police... No. If the cops showed up, the Reds would know. Someone tipped them off. Yeah, you're right. Look, Beaker, this gal isn't just a commie with cold feet. She's had a tough time. Her husband was accused of being disloyal back in Russia. He was taken away like that. She stayed with the party because it was all she knew. All she'd ever been taught. Okay, man. We'll think of something. And she finally realized the truth about the Reds. A friend turned her in. Better check the aisle. Come on. And what's more, she knows plenty about party operation. The FBI can use her information. We've got to get her out of there. Maybe a Ritter-Habias corpus would do it. Well, oil's okay. Well, how does a habeas corpus work? If a private citizen thinks someone's holding another person illegally, he has the right to make both parties come to court and prove it's all a bugboard. Then let's file a red. Listen, if the FBI pokes around in the case, it'll stir up suspicion. You find us somebody, Matt. A friend who's willing to file that Ritter-Habias corpus. And we'll see that it serves. Okay? Well, I'll try. But with commies in every corner, how do you know when a friend's a friend? All that day and the next, I tried to think of someone who might be willing to help Sonya. I spent another day at the legation in the press room, hoping that someone there might have missed her. But I found no one I dare confide in. That was frantic for an idea, a plan of action. I decided to go to Sonya's apartment to find her address book. I had no trouble taking the lock and getting in. No trouble finding the address book either. I opened the book, looking for a name that might ring a bell. When someone did ring a bell, but it wasn't the kind of bell I had in mind, I held my breath and waited. Whoever it was had given up. I waited a moment and tiptoed to the door and opened it a crack. Down the hall, just starting down the stairs, I saw a little old man carrying some freshly cleaned clothes. They were covered with those large paper wrappers used by tailors and drag cleaners. He hadn't been able to deliver the clothes to Sonya. Maybe, maybe. Maybe this was my cue. Maybe this little old man was the answer. That's right, this is killing me. It looks like hard work, all right. I should be an acrobat better. No, what can I do for you? It's about Miss Rostov's cleaning. Miss Rostov, it's about time I'd like to tell you. Why? Had it been very long? Listen, mister, she brings the clothes last week. She says she's got to have them Monday. Rosh, she tells me. So I break my back to have them for Monday? Nope. This is Thursday. Where is she? Well, she's staying with some friends a few blocks from here. She'd like you to deliver her clothes over there. Over there? Huh? Can't you possibly deliver them? Here, I'll give you the address. The name is Levitt. She needs them. So let her come and get them. Uh, just a minute. Hey, hey, just a minute. Mister, I ain't got time to schmooze. Am I busy, ma'am? Well, I know you are, but you've got to understand. Sonya Rostov is at this address. She needs her clothes, so she can't get away for a few minutes? No, that's exactly it. She can't get away. Do you understand? She can't get away. Oh, uh-huh. What's the matter? She's sick? No, but she needs all the help she can get. You understand that? Mister, if you got something on your mind, say it. Stop talking in circles. Well, answer one question. Would you be willing to help Miss Rostov if you could? I mean, really help her. All right, all right. I'll deliver the clothes on my way home tonight. Such a federal case you're making. I'll help her. I'll help her. Good. Thanks a lot. Hey, wait a minute. What? What's Miss Rostov to you? Who are you anyway? All right. The name is Loche. L-O-C-H-E-R. Henry Loche. Got the man for you. He runs the dry cleaning shop on Sonya's block. His name is Geller. No, I couldn't take the chance, but I pumped enough curiosity into him. He knows something fishy. Aren't you a turn to take over? Sure. He's got all the decent reflexes. Once he knows you're an FBI man, I'm sure he'll cooperate. That is, I hope he'll cooperate. I was right this time. Mr. Geller cooperated. He filed the writ of habeas corpus, and the next day I learned from the FBI that it had been served on the limits. Now they had to appear in court with Sonya Rostov and prove that she was not their prisoner. It looked like things were pretty well buttoned up, but that night, as I was congratulating myself, I got a sudden thought, a thought that made my flesh creep. Trapped commies do desperate things, and the Levits were ruthless people. What if they tried to duck out on that court order? What would they do to put Sonya out of the way? I grabbed my hat and headed down to the Levits' apartment building. From a doorway across the street, I could see the lights still burning up there in their fourth floor flat. Then, one by one, the lights blinked out. I ran for the drugstore on the corner and phoned Beaker at home. Beaker, listen, the Levits are pulling a vanishing act. What? Wake up, will you? Okay, okay, I'm awake. Tell me again. The Levits are about to duck out. If I called the local police, I'd have to identify myself. Call them, will you? I'll try to stall the Levits till they get there. Okay, man, I'll get right on it. When I got out of the drugstore, all the lights in the Levits' apartment were out. By the time I got to the building itself, John and Mara Levits were just stepping into the street. They each carried a suitcase. Oh, John! Mara! Wait a minute! Hey! I almost missed you. Where are you going? Soretic, we haven't time to talk now. You'll have to excuse us. All right, what's the matter? Comrade, please, don't ask questions. Where's Sonya? Don't ask questions. Come on, John. For just a minute. Soretic, get out of the way. Where's Sonya? Upstairs in the apartment. You left her alone? Are you crazy? I'm sure Comrade Lochet wouldn't appreciate that one bit. Comrade Lochet, that idiot. Lochet has done enough damage. Don't worry. We reported him to the control commission. What are you talking about? Just because he can't keep his mouth shut. Some tailor or somebody served a ridiculous corpus on us. Now, get out of the way, Soretic. We haven't much time. Well, what about Sonya? What did you do with her? Upstairs. We fixed it so it looks like she took an overdose of sedatives. Sleeping pills. Now for pity's sake, Comrade. Stop bothering us. Now, just a minute, please. You with the suit. What? Why were you looking? Oh, no, no. All right. There must be some mistake, officer. Mr. and Mrs. Levitt haven't done anything. Levitt, huh? That's who we want, all right. Come on, you two. We got a warrant for your arrest. Oh, officer, I'm sure that's the case. Live on mind. Don't worry. You're keeping Sonya rust off. All right. Let's go back to your apartment. No, not you, buddy. What? You and me. You're not invited. Keep moving. I watched them disappear into the building. Then I walked on down the street. They found Sonya all right in time to treat her for that lethal dose of drugs. She's an American citizen now, and still takes her cleaning to Mr. Geller's little tailor shop. They've become good friends too, Sonya and Mr. Geller. I walk by there every once in a while, hoping to catch a glimpse of them, and hoping they won't see me. They'd never understand why I can't keep a friend. They'd never understand why I stay in the shadows and walk alone. Those will return in just a moment. This is Dana Andrews again with the reminder that free people never have to choose their friends. Their friends choose them. 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 Sabetik, who worked undercover for the FBI. Next week, another fantastic adventure. Join us then, won't you?