I Was a Communist for the F.B.I. - finished

I finally finished the series, I Was a Communist for the F.B.I.

For a while I had this very near the top of the pack of shows I  liked.  I still enjoy it.  But I found the formula for the show is nearly the same every week and that gets tiresome.

Listening to the show, I would think about the life of the real Matt Cvetic and realize there's no way he could have a life that was near as stressful as the show potrayed.

Yes, I realize it's just a radio show.  But the show is there not just to entertain, but to make you "believe."  And since Cvetic was a real guy and the stories are "based" on his exploits, you wonder just how far things went.

In the radio show, his life is in danger every week.  He's in danger of being found out.

And it occurs to me that Cvetic was a bit like Superman; Clark Kent had to lie to keep his identity secret, yet professed to all the boys and girls he was for "Truth and Justice."  Cevtic does the exact same thing, having to lie in every show yet at the end, hangs his cape on flag-waving America.  Two giant heroes for boys, girls and men and women alike - yet both are liars.

Not that I am trying to down either show.  I have testimony enough in this blog that I enjoy both the Adventures of Superman and I Was a Communist for the F.B.I. as much - or more - than anyone.  I just find it worth pointing out, is all.

At any rate, the series is good but it's not near as great as I thought it once was.  After a while the shows become predictable - very predictable - and therefore, not much fun.

The acting is pretty stiff as well.  Despite Dana Andrews being Dana Andrews, I've always thought he was pretty stiff in the movies.  On radio, he seems even stiffer.

As I said, I still like the program and plan on listening to it again in the future.  But halfway through it, I wonder if I will want to turn it off, as I did the first time...

One of the best: I Was a Communist for the FBI

I Was a Communist for the FBI was based on a book by the same name.  Matt Cvetic was a spy/double-agent for the U.S. Government as he did his best to play both sides and throw monkey wrenches into the heart of the Communist Party in the 1940's.

Dana Andrews plays Cvetic and though he's not perfect for the part, he does a good job.

The show follows the book's storyline.  Although some of the things that happen in the radio show seem kind of far-fetched at times, I wouldn't doubt a lot of the show remains true to the book (which I have not read.)

Cvetic (in his late 20's) lives at home with his mother and brother, both who think he's a Communist.  His brother despises him for that fact while his mother does not like the fact, but loves him anyway.  His home life is tough because of the constant friction there, so he avoids his home unil he must sleep.

Cvetic is wrenched into tight situations often and the first time listening you will wonder how in the world is he going to get out this? The show is exciting and is never anti-climactic.  In the show, Reds are not just Communists, they are vicious killers and very clever ones on top of that.   Not only is he dealing with Reds, he's dealing with other double agents.  One of them will show up about every three episodes and throw your deduction of what is actually happening for a loop.

Cvetic has occasional help from the FBI but for the most part, he's all alone. This makes every episode a real adventure because you never know what will happen next.

The sound quality of the series isn't always perfect but it's better than most series that aren't Westerns.

If you haven't already, you need to get on the bus and have a listen to this show.