The Moving Target: Using Television Drama to Raise Funds

There was “Crusade for Freedom Campaigners” meeting for state, city and regional chairmen in Chicago, Illinois, October 25-27, 1952, at the Hotel Knickerbockers. Billed as a “curtain raiser,” with the premise that, “The Crusade will conduct a nationwide drive for funds, during which it will present a new idea in psychological warfare to back up and bolster its primary job, the operation of Radio Free Europe and Radio Free Asia.“ 

The third Crusade for Freedom fund drive began nationwide on the local level on November 11, 1952. The objectives, as listed by the Advertising Council, were,

Obtain the moral support and signatures of millions of Americans who want a chance to participate personally in the fight against Soviet aggression by sending messages of freedom behind the Iron Curtain. 

Obtain the sum of $4,000,000 needed to support and expand the activities of Radio Free Europe and Radio Free Asia.

Newspapers nationwide carried appeal advertisements that repeated the 1951 Crusade for Freedom campaign slogan, “Give us this day ... our daily truth.”

The CBS television network aired a docudrama as a "special program" on November 11, 1952, as part of its "Suspense" series: "The Moving Target." Purportedly, the drama is based on a true event. In the beginning of the drama, Radio Free Europe, as the Voice of Freedom, is shown broadcasting the story from Munich to Hungary.

The plot reads:

An athlete, Peter Darvas is selected to represent the Communist country of Hungary in the Olympics, and is warned that his elderly father will be held 'as collateral' so he does not contemplate trying to escape to the West during the Games. However, when he finds out his father has died, he attempts to keep this a secret from his Communist watchdog Zevich to give him a chance to defect. Through the help of an "underground" organization in Helsinki, Darvas escapes and Zevich is shot.

The Auto-Lite corporation sponsored the television program. During the commercial break, Royce G. Martin, the president of Auto-Lite. appeared on screen with the president of the Crusade for Freedom, Admiral (Ret) Harold B. Miller:

Royce G. Martin: 

Good evening friends. We hope that you are enjoying             this special "Suspense" story, based on actual events             at this year's Olympic games. It took place because               people learned the truth.They learned it, as so many learn it, through Radio Free Europe, a part of the Crusade for Freedom.  And now it's my privilege, on the opening day of the 1952 Crusade for Freedom campaign, to present to you the distinguished President of the Crusade for Freedom, Rear Admiral H. B. Miller.

Admiral Miller:    

Thank you Mr. Martin. May I say first that in telling the story of "The Moving Target," Auto-Lite has again pointed out in a dramatic way, the results of the Crusade for Freedom. 

Most of you are aware of the Voice of America and our Government's transmission of truth behind the Iron Curtain. Now as the Voice of America speaks for our Government, so do the stations of Radio Free Europe speak for our private citizens, to bolster our Government's voice in a more personal way.

Radio Free Europe crosses the borders of Communism to reach the ears and minds of subjugated peoples to forceful action. It warns them of specific undercover Communist agents in their towns and cities. It relays information about friends and relatives, who have escaped to freedom. It sends constant messages of hope and help to those who are fighting tyranny. 

Radio Free Europe is your voice, strong, true and unsinking. And this vital voice must continue and grow even stronger. Through the generosity of millions of Americans, Radio Free Europe has accomplished much good. It can and will do much more with your help. In many dark areas of the world, there are still those who know nothing of our fight, and we must and we will reach them. Just as these oppressed people need their daily bread, so need they their daily truth. We must not fail them: their life and perhaps America's life depends upon us.

After the drama concludes, the narrator Rex Marshall is seen telling the viewers how they can support Radio Free Europe through the Crusade for Freedom:

We can all sign a message that will be sent to the oppressed people behind the Iron Curtain. The way to do it is to join the 1952 Crusade for Freedom. The thing to do is to send any contribution that you wish, a contribution of any size, to this address: Crusade for Freedom c/o Local Postmaster.