I Led 3 Lives: Railroad Strike Attempt

One common misconception Millennials have regarding socialism is their belief it will allow them to work whatever way they want, whenever they want to. However, the textbook definition of socialism is state control of the means of production: natural resources, capital, and labor. So, if you consider yourself labor, the state would tell you what to do and when to do it. There is no reason to think this control will necessarily favor the working class. Today’s China is a perfect example. It rigidly controls the labor market to favor Party-connected oligarchs, consigning the lower classes to lives of economic hardship. This isn’t an anomaly. It is the essence of socialism.

Of course, Party propaganda frequently targeted the working class, but during the Soviet era, trade unions that were not puppets of the Party were harshly oppressed. Just ask Lech Walesa and Solidarity about that. Here in America, there was a pitched battle between the Soviet-backed labor faction led by William Z. Foster and the free labor unions represented by former Communist Jay Lovestone. Herbert Philbrick would definitely line-up with Lovestone and so would his dad, as we see in “Railroad Strike Attempt,” the next episode of the I Led 3 Lives binge, which is findable online and on Alpha Video’s non-chronological I Led 3 Lives Volume 3.

Philbrick starts his day with an unexpected visit from his father, a railway man, who is rather baffled by all the strike talk swirling around the station. Philbrick has a suspicion who might be behind it that is quickly confirmed by his Communist Party masters. They are indeed agitating for a railroad strike, to hamstring American industry. The Party has need of Philbrick’s copywriting talents for their pro-strike leaflets, which should not sound like Communist propaganda, but must also clearly threaten violence against “scabs.” Needless to say, these are not mere threats. The Party will dispatch strong-arm thugs to make good on the promise of Philbrick’s flyers.

I Led 3 Lives: Baited Trap

Whittaker Chambers’ Witness is a masterpiece of American memoir, but it is rarely granted the respect it deserves, because it is too honest. It is like the Cold War equivalent of the Confessions of St. Augustine, wherein Chambers chronicles his work as a propagandist for the US Communist Party and as a spy for the GRU. Indeed, Chambers made it clear (and subsequent archival documents confirmed) there was little functional distinction between the legal party and the clandestine Soviet espionage services. That is why it is an incredible opportunity when Herbert Philbrick has a chance to get his hands on the party membership rolls, including the secret, non-card-carrying members. There is also a very good chance he is being set up in “Baited Trap,” our next episode of the I Led 3 Lives binge, which is findable online and on Alpha Video’s non-chronological I Led 3 Lives, Volume 3.

It is always a hassle when Philbrick is summoned to Party headquarters, because he must get off on the wrong floor and then take the stairs. His new assignment is largely clerical in nature, but it involves highly sensitive information. Using a certain code, he will be typing an updated membership list, for Moscow, after hours in the Party offices. Most likely, Jack Blake, the Party’s glad-handing public face, will be watching closely for any slip. Nevertheless, scoring intel like that would be quite a victory for the FBI (and the cause of freedom).

Even though the narrative of “Baited Trap” is still pretty simple (as necessitated by its half-hour time-slot), it is by far the tensest, most suspenseful episode yet. Lew Landers, who directed Boris Karloff and Bela Lugosi in The Raven (as Louis Friedlander) takes over the helming duties and he tightens out all the slack.

I Led 3 Lives: Dope Photographic

Recent news of Nicolas Maduro’s indictment for terrorism and drug trafficking certainly would not have surprised Herbert Philbrick. There is a long history of Communist governments collaborating with drug cartels, for money and to undermine the social fabric of the West. Back in 1991, Frontline (not exactly a rightwing echo-chamber) was exposing the complicity of Castro’s regime. Philbrick himself will help the FBI bust a Soviet-sponsored ring of pushers in “Dope Photographic,” our next episode of the I Led 3 Lives binge, which is findable online and also available on Alpha Video’s non-chronological I Led 3 Lives, Volume 1.

As an undercover counter-spy infiltrating a Communist cell, Philbrick has learned to live with the constant fear of detection (and liquidation). Nevertheless, his FBI handler is really exposing him to undue risks when he recruits him to help their investigation into a Soviet-backed dope ring. It turns out Philbrick’s office has a perfect view of one of the street-corners the pushers are thought to be working. His long-established photography hobby also gives him cover for buying a movie camera to record foot traffic. Nevertheless, Philbrick’s Communist masters are still suspicious, because fear and paranoia are the instruments they wield to keep their lackeys fearful and obedient.

I Led 3 Lives: Pilot

It is a shame William F. Buckley is no longer with us, for many reasons, but especially because he was so effective at ejecting fringe elements from the Conservative movement. He was decidedly critical of Joseph McCarthy, especially in terms of his strategy and demagogic style, but his judgement on the HUAC committee was much more measured. Even today, Buckley’s books are required reading for anyone looking to really understand the era now derisively referred to as the “Red Scare.” The truth many hoped to obscure was the fact there really were many active enemy agents under the direct control the USSR trying to infiltrate and sabotage American institutions. Herbert A. Philbrick became the FBI’s most famous counter-spy. He successfully infiltrated the infiltrators and lived to write a memoir about it. Since we’re all stuck inside, let’s binge something different, I Led 3 Lives, the syndicated 1950s TV show based on his book, which is currently available online (at least for now).

If you enjoy dramatic voiceovers, then the IL3L pilot will be your catnip or caviar. In it, we meet Herbert Philbrick, a mild-mannered ad executive, who is secretly a member of a Communist cell (it is pretty clear from documents declassified from the Venona Project and the old Soviet archives, members involved in political organizing for the CPUSA were also expected to serve intelligence gathering functions for the Soviet intel agencies). However, he was secretly spying on them for the FBI. His handler, Special Agent James Adams does not seem so protective, but he has knack for appealing to Philbrick’s sense of duty.