Created by Irving Brecher, The Life of Riley starred William Bendix as Brooklyn-born Chester A. Riley, a family man who worked as a wing riveter at the fictional Cunningham Aircraft plant in California. The stories were usually set at home, where Riley would cheerfully disrupt life with his malapropisms and ill-timed intervention into minor problems. His stock answer to every turn of fate became a popular catch phrase: “What a revoltin’ development this is!” Trouble usually arose when Riley received bad information from his coworker, Jim Gillis.
Paula Winslowe played Riley’s wife, Peg; John Brown doubled as undertaker “Digger” O’Dell and Jim Gillis; Tommy Cook, Bobby Ellis, and Scotty Beckett each played the role of Riley’s son, Junior; and Sharon Douglas played the Riley’s daughter, Babs. Alan Reed, the voice of Fred Flintstone, played multiple characters, including Riley’s boss, Mr. Stevenson, as well as Peg’s father.
The program aired on radio from 1944 until 1951, making a successful transition to television in 1949. Due to a contract dispute, Bendix couldn’t initially play Riley on television, so the role went to Jackie Gleason. In 1953 Bendix was free to star as Riley on the small screen and continued with it until 1958.
Episodes include:
- “Cissio’s Marriage”
- “Riley the Dogcatcher”
- “Riley Fixes Dinner for Mother’s Day”
- “Fish Story”
- “The Boss’ Son-in-Law”
- “The Halloween Show: Haunted House”
- “Big Football Bet”
- “Riley’s Mash Note at Night School”
- “Wedding Anniversary”
- “Five Dollars Is Missing”
- “Gambling Does Not Pay”
- “Riley Thinks He’s Promoted”
Download and start listening now!