PROJECTED OSS TV SERIES

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80R01731R001100160085-4
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 9
• Document Creation Date: December 14, 2016
• Document Release Date: March 3, 2003
• Sequence Number: 85
• Publication Date: December 3, 1956
• Content Type: MF

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SEMORA1fl6N OM Director of Central Intelligence
SUBJICT 1 Projected ?SS TV Series
1. This msmorandam suggests: option on the part of DCI. Such
requested action is contained in paragraph 12.
2, It has CORO to Our attention that a certain Bill Illicit
formerly aide to Colonel Glavin when the latter commanded the
in Italy, recently approached Several television networks and
independent film producers- with the proposition of staking documenter:
films of various of the OSSIocrotiao exploits. Sliscu was ,
allegedly identified and vouched for by a letter in his possession
signed by a Henry Presoott, president of the organisation known as
the Veterans of the OSS, and written on the official paper of
that society which carries on its letteriobead the names of
General willing J. Donovan and other prominent personages. The
letter purportedly states that Bliscu is authorised to negotiate
such arrangements and proposes the production of a series of 39
television shorts of thirty minutes duration each,
3. As you aro aware, General Donovan would be in a position
to furnish a very considerable body of material from archives in
his personal possession.
4. while we know that Blise0s proposal was reect.d by several
major companies, he did succeed in interesting a Sairiark Compon7
known as Flamingo 7
previous activity
that this company has
was published in the
(Tab B).
about whose personnel, reputation and
little or nothing. The rinnouneement
in fact, started production On ouch a series
November issue of the tradeoweekky Variety
5. In the course of Eliscu's earlier rounds* his. proposal
came to the attention of Larry Lowman, now a vice...president of the
Columbia Broadcasting System and at one time chief of ammo for
'
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the OnS. Lowman, his curiosity piqued, called
known by Lowman to be a friend of our?, en4
Prescott letter introducin, liscu. mashti
the matter indirectly to our attention together w
that it was his understanding Ells= had allsod
acquaintance with you and inplieds at louts your Approve
of the venture.
6. The success at the ondua or to ,arouse the interest o
television industry in such a proposal talthougt sa in Llincuss
is attested by a letter dated 29 August 1956 addressed .V
Leolie harries Vie e President and amoral lianager of the Columbia
oad au. Tele ision Film Sales tomorations to one
25X1 n attorney with offices in the nouthern Beilding
letter itself, which has reached us through
is attached (11041). In briefs it expresses
sly considerable interest in the proposition (if agreement
can be reached to do suoh a series in o ation wit the Agency),
and his own awareuess of the sensitivity of the un ertsking. It
ferther sweets that "a meeting be arranged in the near future with
nr. Dellss or his elapse associates in. the CIA to dismiss the broad
aspects of weir public relations polio, and to determine just how
the relationship betweea the no defasst Core organisation an the
meant shOuld be hendled.' 4e are reliably advised that
Ar. ;lame, denate the announcement of the Playing? production,
is 4411 interested in disoueSing the matter with uss
-1. It iss of coarse, established practice of other U.
rnment agencies to *nog* in public relations. efforts through
mediem of movie and teleilsion dranatisation of actual episodes
which their pereoenel have partioipateein h. course of thoir
normally -assigned duties. Such preaentationa ordinarily open with
a brief announcement of the official sanction or eponocrehip of
tho program by the A)epartment cencerned. Noet notable of the
television series ourventl,y showing (sone of which have been
continuously popular ter se4ardi years' are;
a. N
the tni
opens with a display of the seal
b Foderaj
ce of th. Treasury
e. The West
of the
activities Of the
rtments
orad br the Department
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r similar shows have at various times been Authenticated
and sponsored by the Air Force, the Federal Bureau of Investigation
and others.
4addi ion to these authenticated documentaries, there are
ovilOroOo popular aeries, commercially sponsored, depicting
intelligence and Other clandestine activities which carry with
them no offioial authentication.
8. The objective of all such authenticated productions is the
obvious one behind any publicerelations or advertising program: to
gain public support. Public support so far as official agencies of
the U. S. Government is concerned is important from two points of view,
a. As an incentive to recruiting personnel, and
b. As it may be expected to influence favorably legislative
support of the agency's program.
Su* advantages might reasonably be expected to accrue to this
Agency should we decide officially to support a presentation of the
sort discussed.
9. As for the protocol which guides other agencies of our
government in similar ventures, we have checked with the Department
of befense, and are advised that no formal regulations exist to
authorise or control such activities, but that agreements are
arrived at by informal and confidential discussion between responsible
officials of the media and the agency concerned.
10. On the negative sides so far as this Agency is concerned,
the possibility of overestimulating public curiosity and providing
excuses for criticism of or investigation into our present activities
were the presentation in any way to be linked officially with the
Agency is a danger which canaot he overlooked.
U. While it would not normally occur to us to interest
ourselves in such activity, it is our belief that it would be preferable
that aqy nationmwide exposition of the activities of the 038 be
undertaken by a reputable company with our concurrence and assistance,
rather than to be based upon the personal recollections and archives of
apr individual or group of individuals, or to be, or appear to be,
endorsed by any other U. S. Government agency with which the OSS
was affiliated or connected in the public mind. It seems possible
that it Mr, Harris in, indeed, still interested in such a venture1
an early announcement of the intent by the Columbia Broadcasting
Company might operate to limit the sales market of the Flamingo
productions to minor network or small independent stations.
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ILLEGIB
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L,
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12, It ls therefore semsaded that y, assampaaled
by sash of your staff as asy desire. Woo to met PorsamakT
with NO. Norris it e warolaniont but *EU date with *vier to
soasideriag fwrorebliy eollabosation la the production if a televisica
series Old ths famish:Lag of seript material in return for ohloh
You ger reqaest the Gleam collaboration at our ova seleoted personnel
in the interest at ths Avow sad of national sesurity.
FRANK 0, WISNER
Deputy Director (Plasm)
Attasboontss
1. Letter addressed by Leslie Harris
2, Clipping entitled ?Flaningo Series en OSS to Nell*
The reectmendation in paragraph 12 is approved
Allen W. Dizii.s ? bat.
Dirmator of Central Intelligens,
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ER - File
3 DEC 1956
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Almond For Release 2003/04/
COMKSt
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L. K. 1411/13
Deputy Director
(ftePart)
29 liarsater 1956
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DeCOINENT NO.
NO CHANGE t r
o
L. K. WHITE
puty Director
(Support)
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CONFIDENTIAL
UNCLASSIFIED
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
STAT OFFICIAL ROUTING SLIP
NAME AND ADDRESS
ACTION
APPROVAL
COMMENT
DIRECT REPLY
DISPATCH
CONCURRENCE
Remarks:
Jim: The Director would like your
comments on the attached.
Since he is in all probability
leaving for a short holiday on
Friday, please let me have this
back soonest.
INFORMATION
rommrTellTapp!
FORM NO. 037 Replaces Form-.4 4'
which may be used.
I APR 55 f?
CONFIDENTIAL
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On 1/15 Mt. Kirkpatrick had the original of this.
With Angleton's comments. DCI had not yet signed.
`11Livial
d o 074-e-t-A
Yr-4.244-4
cce&"
Ca'
MEMORANDUM FOR: GENERAiti
Mr. Kirkpatrick and I concur in the attached
proposed response to Mr. Helms, memorandum of 7
November 1956 regarding "Administrative Organiza-
tion and Support of Clandestine Services."
Recommend signature.
L. K. 'WHITE
FORM NO.101 REPLACES FORM 10- 101
111 AUG 54 WHICH MAY BE USED.
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UNCLASSIFIEDApprovt.cLF9rs I re 2003/04/25 : CI
CIVVRNAL
SUBJECT: (Optional)
FROM:
1;111
IVORpOOMMe 100160085-4
SECRET
ROUTING AND RECORD SHEET
ADDP
TO: (Officer designotion, room number, and
building)
2.
3.
4.
DCI Admin 221
DATE
REC'D
FWD'D
NO.
DATE
OFFICER'S COMMENTS COMMENTS (Number each comment to show from whom
INITIALS to whom. Draw a line across column after each comment.)
apA21/T-7
4-Yd
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
12.
ER: Please put this in file
merely as a matter of record.
The orig. is being held by IG
along with supporting papers.
Rita tells me that this document
will not be signed by DCI as it is
written - the matter has been taken
up in Deas. Meeting and will be
discussed further.
Return all other copies to
COP for disposition. Rita says
COP is fully informed on this
subject and the proposed actions,
and the Deps. Meetings discussions.
13.
14.
15.
FORM n USE PREVIOUS
1 DEC 55 I %.-1 EDITIONS /A
4 66 76
estftiopleasrffwilgibmifireTFCA 1iflW1 10Q1.6?1085-4
USE ONLY UNCLASSIFIED