I Led 3 Lives poster
    TV Series

    I Led 3 Lives

    "ELECTRIFYING Stories of the Men who fight alone against the destroyers of Democracy!"

    0
    1953 - Present
    Returning Series
    Seasons: 3
    Episodes: 97

    Herbert Philbrick was a young professional and pacifist in 1939 Boston. He joined an anti-war group and quickly found himself caught up in the secret world of underground communist activity. He agreed to spy on the Communists for the FBI, and spent the next 9 years of his life as a Communist, FBI spy, and Communist counter-spy, since they had asked him to follow other comrades to test their loyalty. Hence the 3 lives; and his family, co-workers, and church never knew. This TV show is based on the TRUE story of how Philbrick (played ably by Richard Carlson) could never relax, but had to sneak to secret cell meetings and meet FBI agents in clandestine places to make info drops, never knowing when he might be found out, and if he would live to see the next rendezvous.

    Share:

    Where to Watch

    No streaming options found for United States. Try changing your region.

    Trying to watch this from United States?

    Some content may not be available in your region. Use a VPN to access streaming services from anywhere.

    Unlock with NordVPN

    Affiliate link • We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you

    Seasons & Episodes

    1. Secret Call: Part 1

    Philbrick leads three lives: average citizen, Communist Party member and counter spy for the FBI. Tonight he is called to an important meeting at his local Communist cell. Main topic is how to bring about the downfall of the United States.

    10/1/195330 min

    2. Bess: Part 2

    Philbrick fears his FBI connection has been discovered by his Communist comrades.

    10/11/195330 min

    3. Dope Photographic

    The FBI requests Philbrick's help to breakup a narcotics ring, whose aim is to gather secret defense plant information in exchange for free drugs. Philbrick's plan to film the illegal transactions from his office window hit a snag when he discovers a recently hired secretary is communist spy sent to keep an eye on his activities.

    10/18/195330 min

    4. Baited Trap

    Philbrick is ordered by a communist leader to type up a list of non-card carrying communists from a coded document, but he suspects a trap.

    10/25/195330 min

    5. Railroad Strike Attempt

    Philbrick is ordered to write a leaflet that will trigger a wildcat strike at the local railroad yard.

    11/1/195330 min

    6. Campus Story

    Philbrick is assigned to supervise a program to recruit likely future communists at a local college, including the son of a prominent college donor.

    11/8/195330 min

    7. Army Infiltration

    As Educational Director of his district, Philbrick encourages his cell members to send literature to others abroad. A U.S. Army soldier finds himself in hot water when his elderly aunts, members of Philbrick's cell, send him microfilm along with the package of pamphlets.

    11/15/195330 min

    8. The Spy

    Herb is given an assignment by a high party official to surreptitiously determine the level of loyalty and dedication of a party member who is being considered for a higher-level position within the party.

    11/22/195330 min

    9. The Jet Engine

    While stuffing envelopes with a fellow cell member, Philbrick learns that the communists have infiltrated a jet engine manufacturing plant that uses top secret production machinery and a shop steward is the head of the spy ring operating on the inside.

    11/29/195330 min

    10. Helping Hand

    Philbrick receives a special assignment - pick up a man who has been smuggled into the country, obtain false credentials and introduce him to the Hollywood elite. The Communist administration hope that their agent can infiltrate the film and television industry.

    12/6/195330 min

    11. Parcels for Poland

    The reds have a treacherous plot : they arrange a phony charitable organization that ostensibly allows people in America to donate to the relief of their destitute family members in Poland according to a menu of gift packages. They're wildly overcharged, so the communists get rich and a list those to persecute behind the iron curtain.

    12/13/195330 min

    12. Captured Congressman

    Philbrick is assisting George Reynolds with his election campaign for the U.S. Congress when he learns that one of Reynolds' primary contributors is giving the candidate money provided by the Communist party. As Reynolds is campaigning on an anti-communism platform it will be profoundly damaging to his chances when the information comes to light on the eve of the election.

    12/20/195330 min

    13. Purloined Printing Press

    To get out some secretly produced propaganda leaflets, the communists have Philbrick go through an elaborate cloak-and-dagger scheme to secure an offset printing press. It involves a new typewriter, the use of his car, and an eager printer in a hidden location.

    12/27/195330 min

    14. The Wife

    Philbrick's marriage is threatened when the party demands that wife Eva becomes a member.

    1/3/195430 min

    15. Civil Defense

    Comrade Ted directs Philbrick and other cell members to enrol with Civil Defense. The plan is to infiltrate and cripple the organization so that it will be unable to respond when the Communists launch an attack.

    1/10/195430 min

    16. Communist Cop

    Philbrick has to race against time to prevent his cell from eliminating "Comrade Rick" whom they discover to be an undercover policeman.

    1/17/195430 min

    17. Defense Plant Security

    The Evans Manufacturing Company has won a big defense contract with the US military. Philbrick discovers that fellow cell member Comrade Clyde has a job there. What is he up to?

    1/24/195430 min

    18. Gun Running

    Comrade Elaine instructs Philbrick to tour the city collecting assorted objects from secret contacts. The bits and pieces will be assembled into untraceable guns which the Communists will use on murder missions.

    1/31/195430 min

    19. Passports

    Communist special courier Comrade Neil tells Philbrick to liaise with a master passport forger. The party want an American citizen who has a wealth of secrets to slip out of the country and defect to the East.

    2/7/195430 min

    20. Map of the City

    Philbrick's cell members receive four city map references indicating locations of planned sabotage. Utilities, communications, industrial installations and military targets will all be hit unless Philbrick can tip off the FBI.

    2/14/195430 min

    21. Caviar

    When the reds instruct Philbrick to find a public place for a meeting, he chooses a golf driving range because he assumed the spy was a golfer because of a pamphlet. It turns out the spy had no use for the sport, and the booklet was in fact a prototype destruction manual for commie agents.

    2/21/195430 min

    22. The Kid

    A reluctant comrade is forced to film secret radar-tube designs.

    2/28/195430 min

    23. Youth Movement

    Philbrick is raising funds for a new youth center. However, the comrades plan to infiltrate both the center and its bank account.

    3/7/195430 min

    24. Infra Red Film

    Philbrick's cell colleague Comrade Ormand claims to have a contact at the FBI who is about to supply a photo list of counter spies. Will Philbrick's name be on the list?

    3/14/195430 min

    25. The Editor

    Rock Falls newspaper editor Larry Edwards is exposing Communist infiltration at an important power plant. The infiltrator disappears, so the party send Philbrick to Rock Falls to get back the secret plans

    3/21/195430 min

    26. Confused Comrades

    The FBI ask Philbrick to attend a secret meeting of the Communist policy committee. He manages to disunite the comrades on whether to continue with the phony peace initiative or else escalate their acts of violence.

    3/28/195430 min

    27. Communication Disruptions

    Comrade John has a plan to cripple US communications systems by sabotaging radio stations. Philbrick must find a way to tip off the FBI.

    4/4/195430 min

    28. Phantom Labor Leader

    Philbrick discovers that the comrades are planning to take over a labor union.

    4/11/195430 min

    29. Progressive

    Philbrick tries to protect an important comrade who is called before a state committee.

    4/18/195430 min

    30. Old Man

    Philbrick tries to protect an important comrade who is called before a state committee.

    4/25/195430 min

    31. Birthday

    Two comrades become suspicious of Philbrick.

    5/2/195430 min

    32. Cell Leader

    Philbrick is offered a party promotion. The problem is that acceptance would make his communications with the FBI far more difficult.

    5/9/195430 min

    33. Dry Run

    Philbrick is put to a frightening test of loyalty.

    5/16/195430 min

    34. Comrade Wants Out

    Philbrick must denounce a party member whose loyalty is waning.

    5/23/195430 min

    35. Depression

    The reds plan to launch a major rumor that the US is about to enter economic depression. Only a change to Communism can rescue the situation.

    5/30/195430 min

    36. The Boss

    Philbrick's office boss notices he's looking tired and distracted of late. Little does the boss know that his employee leads three lives and is about to undergo a mission that could endanger his life.

    6/6/195430 min

    37. Love Story

    Philbrick's colleague Paul is depressed that his girlfriend Margaret has become a Communist. How can she be cured of this dreadful "sickness?"

    6/13/195430 min

    38. Unexpected Trip

    The comrades order Philbrick to report to the airport, then fly him to another US city. He arrives at a secret conference where the reds are scheming to infiltrate the US education system, hoping to brainwash kids with Communist ideology.

    6/20/195430 min

    39. Strategic Material

    Philbrick discovers the comrades are collecting surplus metal. The FBI want to know why.

    6/27/195430 min

    Cast