Matt Cvetic was a Communist for the FBI

Rare commercial left in I Was a Communist For the FBI

Until yesterday, I had never heard a commercial in the fantastic I Was a Communist For the FBI.

The show was syndicated - but this appears to be the original commercial left in.  This copy of the show was probably recorded somewhere out West (Seattle perhaps) as the commercial is for Rainier Ale.

(The clip will start a few seconds after you press 'play')





©Jimbo 2010/2011

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.

Hodge-podging [#03]

Time for me to shoot from the hip.

Fred Allen wasn't funny.  Ever.  He was interesting and brilliant but not funny.  He was usually the straight man.  Great timing - just not funny.

No OTR show was better than "The Six Shooter", the James Stewart vehicle.  Everything about the show is smooth, easy and as professional as you could possible expect.  Every episode is really worth listening to, even if you don't like Westerns.

Bea Benaderet

The early days of Gunsmoke make for a different listening experience than the later episodes.  In the early episodes, Doc is greedy and it appears for all the world that Matt Dillon only "puts up with him" because he has to.

Jack Benny as "Buck Benny" isn't funny. Ever. And there are more than 10 Benny episodes about Buck Benny. Maybe it was funny then but it sure doesn't hold up today. That doesn't mean I don't listen to them, because I do. I just don't laugh...

I hold "I Was a Communist for the FBI" in almost the same esteem as I do, "The Six Shooter."

The early Whistler episodes are boring to me because I'll bet the same cast is used in 15 of the first 25 episodes.

I really wish there were more "People Are Funny" episodes available to listen to. By my count there are only 22 of them out there. Art Linkletter and the writers came up with some fun bits.

I don't own a television set.

One of the most versatile actresses of radio (and early TV) was Bea Benaderet.  But as the maid/cook on the early days of The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet, I just dislike her character (Gloria) so much that I often pass up the episode.

Did you ever wonder what kind of sickness kept Marian Jordan (Molly) off of Fibber McGee and Molly for 18 months (1937-1939)?  According to Greg Bell, it was alcoholism.

Does anyone really listen to Life With Luigi, Alan Young and Jimmy Durante?

Is there anyone funnier than Groucho Marx?

If you have never heard the early and hilarious Bill Cosby talk about The Lone Ranger on radio, now is your chance. And don't miss this 1966 clip of Cosby yukking it up about Lights Out.