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Gouzenko defection exposes Soviet spy ring

Broadcast Date: Feb. 18, 1958

Igor Gouzenko's defection in 1945 is the biggest media sensation since the war. Fearing for his life, Gouzenko goes into hiding but his revelations generate such interest in Soviet espionage that he is eventually coaxed into a rare media appearance.
Thirteen years after his defection, Gouzenko agrees to appear on live television for the first time, as a mystery guest on CBC's Front Page Challenge. For security reasons he wears his signature bag over his head.

Gouzenko defection exposes Soviet spy ring

 • Front Page Challenge is Canada's longest-running television program, running from 1957 to 1995.
• Among the guests were Canadian prime ministers Louis St. Laurent, John Diefenbaker, Lester Pearson, Pierre Trudeau and Joe Clark.

• Pierre Berton, who guesses Gouzenko is the mystery guest, has written 46 books (many about Canadian history) and has won three Governor General's Awards.

Gouzenko defection exposes Soviet spy ring

Medium: Television

Program: Front Page Challenge

Broadcast Date: Feb. 18, 1958

Guest(s): Bob Considine, Igor Gouzenko

Host: Fred Davis
Panellist: Pierre Berton, Toby Robins, Gordon Sinclair

Duration: 11:15

Last updated:
April 8, 2008