"This is the fantastically true story of Herbert A. Philbrick, who for nine frightening years lived three lives...average citizen, high-level member of the Communist Party, and counterspy for the Federal Bureau of Investigation." Based on the best-selling book,
I Led 3 Lives kept TV viewers in nail-biting suspense for three seasons in syndication. It told the true story of Herbert Philbrick, a Boston ad executive who for nine years infiltrated the Communist Party at the request of the FBI. In 1949, the Justice Department called on Philbrick as a witness in the Smith Act trials of Communist Party leaders, breaking his cover and effectively ending his usefulness as an FBI operative. Afterwards he documented his experiences in a book,
I Led Three Lives: Citizen, 'Communist', Counterspy. In 1953, ZIV Television Programs turned the book into a series. Richard Carlson, a former MGM contract player, was cast as Philbrick. Carlson had a long career as a romantic leading man, but he is nevertheless best remembered for his roles in classic sci-fi films such as
It Came from Outer Space (1953) and
Creature from the Black Lagoon (1954). The show was a smash hit, and was nominated for Best Mystery Program for two consecutive years at the Primetime Emmy Awards.
I Led 3 Lives is a reminder of those heady days of Cold War paranoia, when a Communist spy could be waiting around every corner.
BAITED TRAP: Philbrick smuggles a list of confirmed Communists out of party headquarters, but it may be bait for a trap to expose him. Future TV mogul Aaron Spelling has a brief scene playing an elevator operator, back in the days when he was a struggling actor.
RAILROAD STRIKE ATTEMPT: The Communists try to turn railroad workers against America by distributing leaflets decrying unsafe working conditions.
CAVIAR: Herb is given a tin of imported caviar by a fellow Party member - only to discover that it contains instructions for sabotage!
CAPTURED CONGRESSMAN: A politician running on an anti-communism platform is secretly being funded by the Party in an effort to smear him.
