Podcast Summary: Harold's Old Time Radio – Hedda Hopper Show 50-02-15 (Guest: Richard Nixon)

Episode Overview

This episode of Harold's Old Time Radio, originally broadcast in February 1950, features famed gossip columnist Hedda Hopper in a candid interview with Congressman Richard Nixon. The conversation swiftly moves from political controversies—most notably the Alger Hiss case and accusations of communist infiltration in government—to Nixon’s personal life and his upcoming California Senate campaign. The episode provides a snapshot of Red Scare-era anxieties, Republican political strategy, and the era's media tone, all delivered with the informal, brisk manner typical of Hopper's style.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. The Alger Hiss Case and President Truman's "Red Herring" Comment

• Truman’s Dismissal of Hiss Case
  Hedda Hopper immediately steers the conversation to President Truman's 1948 dismissal of the Alger Hiss investigation as a "red herring." Nixon recounts the specifics of Truman’s comments and criticizes the President for not acknowledging the investigation’s legitimacy after Hiss was convicted.

  “That afternoon the President had a press conference... said that it was simply a red herring... simply for political purposes, to take the minds of the people off of the real issues of the campaign.”
  —Richard Nixon (00:51)

• Nixon's Call for an Apology and Transparency Nixon points out that with Hiss’s conviction, Truman should acknowledge the committee's achievements and apologize for the earlier "red herring" accusation.

  “It seems to me... the least the President should do is... say... he may have felt that at one time it was a red herring, but now that the facts had come out... he was glad... this sinister conspiracy had been exposed.”
  —Richard Nixon (01:47)

2. Communist Infiltration in the State Department

• Need for Congressional Investigation Both speakers express concern over communist infiltration, arguing for open investigations and greater transparency from the Truman administration.

  “I think... the committees of Congress... should investigate the charges of communism... the President should cooperate... by turning over information regarding the loyalty checks.”
  —Richard Nixon (02:52)

• Call for Presidential Cooperation Nixon alleges the executive branch has withheld information.

  “If their house is clean, they should not refuse to do as they have refused in the past to turn over the information to the Congress.”
  —Richard Nixon (03:22)

3. Dean Acheson’s Alleged Support for Alger Hiss

• Winchell’s Accusation Hopper references columnist Walter Winchell’s claim that Secretary of State Dean Acheson contributed financially to Hiss's defense.

  “Do you believe... that Dean Acheson contributed $25,000 towards the defense of Alger Hiss?”
  —Hedda Hopper (03:49)

• Nixon's Response Nixon considers the charges plausible and deems them worth investigating, linking Acheson’s continued defense of Hiss to possible law-firm ties.

  “That charge should bear investigation... because that may be one of the reasons why Mr. Acheson... has constantly defended Mr. Hiss…”
  —Richard Nixon (04:00)

4. Defense of the FBI and J. Edgar Hoover

• Attacks on the FBI Hopper raises rumors about attempts to remove Hoover; Nixon asserts that attacks on the FBI come from communists and “soft-headed liberals.”

  “The communists, the pro communists, the fellow travelers and a lot of the soft headed liberals are attempting to attack the FBI...”
  —Richard Nixon (04:43)

• FBI’s National Importance Nixon argues a congressional investigation of the FBI would threaten national security, with Hopper expressing her agreement.

  “When the time comes in this country when an investigation of the FBI is made... a deadly blow will have been struck at the security forces of our country.”
  —Richard Nixon (05:06)

5. Espionage Cases: Klaus Fuchs and Government Inaction

• Missed Opportunities A detailed discussion of how ignored warnings in the Hiss case may have aided convicted atomic spy Klaus Fuchs.

  “Chambers first made his charges to Burley in 1939... [he] consulted with Dean Acheson... did not investigate further. Now, had he gone further... a body blow might have been struck at this conspiratorial ring then.”
  —Richard Nixon (06:06)

• Existence of Atomic Conspiracies Nixon suggests atomic espionage involved multiple accomplices and points to academics’ refusal to answer congressional questions as proof.

  “The Communists don't operate as lone wolves. They operate in packs... six [atomic] scientists... refused to answer questions... any answer... would incriminate them.”
  —Richard Nixon (07:11)

6. Defense and Role of the House Un-American Activities Committee

• Endurance Amid Criticism Nixon describes service on the Committee as difficult but essential to uncovering communist conspiracies.

  “Being a member of that committee... is something I wouldn't wish off on any of my friends... If [it] had not been in existence, Alger Hiss would be free today.”
  —Richard Nixon (08:20)

• Need for Fair Procedures Nixon stresses the importance of protecting the innocent from unwarranted accusations.

  “It is essential that we have good procedures, that we protect the innocent... But... facts... should be brought to the American public...”
  —Richard Nixon (08:50)

7. Nixon’s California Senate Campaign

• Managing Dual Responsibilities Nixon details campaigning challenges due to his duties in Washington and the benefits of modern air travel.

  “All that I can say is that I'm glad that this is the age of aircraft, because I do have the opportunity to fly back and forth from Washington...”
  —Richard Nixon (09:19)

• Appealing to Women Voters Nixon jokes he needs not just grandmothers but all women on his side, explaining how campaign issues will be reframed in terms relevant to housewives.

  “We're going to talk in terms of the two dollar tax on a ten dollar lady's purse... things which the ordinary American housewife is interested in.”
  —Richard Nixon (09:51)

• The Burden of Taxes Hopper and Nixon commiserate over household taxation, particularly affecting families with babies.

  “Do you know that there's a tax on everything that a baby uses from the diaper up and down?”
  —Hedda Hopper (10:35)
  “My wife constantly tells me about going down to the drugstore, buying some baby powder, paying a tax on it. You see, she's tax conscious.”
  —Richard Nixon (10:47)

8. Nixon’s Personal Anecdotes

• Injuring Both Arms Nixon recounts the story of breaking both arms while protecting his child during a fall in Washington.

  “I was walking on some icy steps in Washington... slipped and fell. I was carrying, incidentally, our oldest child... took the blow on my elbows. Cracked both of them.”
  —Richard Nixon (11:08)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Congressional Investigations:
  “If their house is clean, they should not refuse... to turn over the information to the Congress...” (Nixon, 03:22)

• On the House Un-American Activities Committee:
  “It's something I wouldn't wish off on any of my friends... If the Committee... had not been in existence, Alger Hiss would be free today...” (Nixon, 08:20)

• On Taxes and Housewives:
  “We're going to talk in terms of the two dollar tax on a ten dollar lady's purse...” (Nixon, 09:51)

• On Espionage and Conspiracies:
  “The Communists don't operate as lone wolves. They operate in packs...” (Nixon, 07:11)

• Closing Note:
  “When we have a little more time, I think I can give you some inside information on some of these developments that may be even more shocking than what we've talked about here.” (Nixon, 11:55)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Truman’s “Red Herring” and Alger Hiss – 00:31–02:35
• Communists in the State Department – 02:35–03:49
• Dean Acheson Allegations – 03:49–04:37
• Attacks on J. Edgar Hoover/FBI – 04:37–05:47
• The Fuchs Spy Case and Consequences of Inaction – 05:47–08:06
• Defending HUAC & Congressional Procedures – 08:06–09:10
• Nixon’s California Senate Campaign – 09:10–10:47
• Personal Anecdote: Breaking Both Arms – 11:04–11:35
• Outro Remarks: Nixon Promises More Inside Insights – 11:55–12:08

Tone and Style

The episode blends political gravity with personal warmth and informal banter. Hopper’s direct, sometimes playful questioning, paired with Nixon’s measured yet candid responses, give listeners a vivid sense of the period’s political climate—marked by suspicion of communist infiltration and energetic Republican counter-attack—while occasionally leavening the intensity with humor and relatable anecdotes.

This summary captures the episode’s essence, key insights, and memorable moments, providing a concise guide for those seeking to understand the conversation between Hedda Hopper and a rising Richard Nixon at a pivotal moment in American history.