The Life of Riley-logo

The Life of Riley

Comedy

The Life of Riley starring William Bendix as lovable, blundering, Chester A. Riley, was a radio situation comedy broadcast during and after wartime 40s. Because of its overwhelming radio popularity, Riley graduated as easily to a 1949 feature film, as it did to 1950s television. Also, in 1958, it hit the newsstands, when Dell Comics released "The Life of Riley" in comic book form. . Although "The Life of Riley" had originally begun as a proposed Groucho Marx radio series "The Flotsam Family," the sponsor balked at what would have been essentially a straight head-of-household role for the comedian. Groucho went on to host Blue Ribbon Town from 1943 to 1944 and then "You Bet Your Life" from 1947 to 1961. Producer Irving Brecher saw Bendix as taxicab company owner Tim McGuerin in Hal Roach's The McGuerins from Brooklyn (1942). "The Flotsam Family" was re-worked, with Bendix cast as blundering Chester A. Riley, a wing riveter at the fictional Cunningham Aircraft plant in California. His frequent exclamation of indignation became one of the most famous catch phrases of the 1940s: "What a revoltin' development this is!" The radio series greatly benefited from the immense popularity of a supporting character, Digby "Digger" O'Dell (John Brown), "the friendly undertaker."

Location:

United States

Genres:

Comedy

Description:

The Life of Riley starring William Bendix as lovable, blundering, Chester A. Riley, was a radio situation comedy broadcast during and after wartime 40s. Because of its overwhelming radio popularity, Riley graduated as easily to a 1949 feature film, as it did to 1950s television. Also, in 1958, it hit the newsstands, when Dell Comics released "The Life of Riley" in comic book form. . Although "The Life of Riley" had originally begun as a proposed Groucho Marx radio series "The Flotsam Family," the sponsor balked at what would have been essentially a straight head-of-household role for the comedian. Groucho went on to host Blue Ribbon Town from 1943 to 1944 and then "You Bet Your Life" from 1947 to 1961. Producer Irving Brecher saw Bendix as taxicab company owner Tim McGuerin in Hal Roach's The McGuerins from Brooklyn (1942). "The Flotsam Family" was re-worked, with Bendix cast as blundering Chester A. Riley, a wing riveter at the fictional Cunningham Aircraft plant in California. His frequent exclamation of indignation became one of the most famous catch phrases of the 1940s: "What a revoltin' development this is!" The radio series greatly benefited from the immense popularity of a supporting character, Digby "Digger" O'Dell (John Brown), "the friendly undertaker."

Language:

English


Episodes
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The Life of Riley 1946-05-04 #111 Rileys Take In The Gillises After A Fire

8/7/2020
1940s radio sitcom. "The Life of Riley", starring William Bendix as lovable, blundering, Chester A. Riley, was a radio situation comedy broadcast during and after wartime 40s. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sherlock Holmes Radio Station Live 24/7 Click Here to Listen https://live365.com/station/Sherlock-Holmes-Classic-Radio--a91441 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-life-of-riley/donations Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Duration:00:30:06

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The Life of Riley 1946-04-27 #110 Gambling Doesn't Pay

8/7/2020
1940s radio sitcom. "The Life of Riley", starring William Bendix as lovable, blundering, Chester A. Riley, was a radio situation comedy broadcast during and after wartime 40s. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sherlock Holmes Radio Station Live 24/7 Click Here to Listen https://live365.com/station/Sherlock-Holmes-Classic-Radio--a91441 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-life-of-riley/donations Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Duration:00:29:28

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The Life of Riley 1946-04-20 #109 Giant Easter Bunny

8/7/2020
1940s radio sitcom. "The Life of Riley", starring William Bendix as lovable, blundering, Chester A. Riley, was a radio situation comedy broadcast during and after wartime 40s. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sherlock Holmes Radio Station Live 24/7 Click Here to Listen https://live365.com/station/Sherlock-Holmes-Classic-Radio--a91441 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-life-of-riley/donations Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Duration:00:27:35

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The Life of Riley 1946-04-13 #108 The Bread Shortage (Riley Thinks Jr. is a Shoplifter)

8/7/2020
1940s radio sitcom. "The Life of Riley", starring William Bendix as lovable, blundering, Chester A. Riley, was a radio situation comedy broadcast during and after wartime 40s. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sherlock Holmes Radio Station Live 24/7 Click Here to Listen https://live365.com/station/Sherlock-Holmes-Classic-Radio--a91441 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-life-of-riley/donations Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Duration:00:28:39

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The Life of Riley 1946-04-06 #107 Riley Finds A Silver Fox Fur Coat

8/7/2020
1940s radio sitcom. "The Life of Riley", starring William Bendix as lovable, blundering, Chester A. Riley, was a radio situation comedy broadcast during and after wartime 40s. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sherlock Holmes Radio Station Live 24/7 Click Here to Listen https://live365.com/station/Sherlock-Holmes-Classic-Radio--a91441 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-life-of-riley/donations Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Duration:00:27:42

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The Life of Riley 1946-03-23 #105 Junior Races Egbert - Poison Ivy

8/7/2020
1940s radio sitcom. "The Life of Riley", starring William Bendix as lovable, blundering, Chester A. Riley, was a radio situation comedy broadcast during and after wartime 40s. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sherlock Holmes Radio Station Live 24/7 Click Here to Listen https://live365.com/station/Sherlock-Holmes-Classic-Radio--a91441 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-life-of-riley/donations Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Duration:00:29:16

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The Life of Riley Louella's Farewell Party

8/7/2020
1940s radio sitcom. "The Life of Riley", starring William Bendix as lovable, blundering, Chester A. Riley, was a radio situation comedy broadcast during and after wartime 40s. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sherlock Holmes Radio Station Live 24/7 Click Here to Listen https://live365.com/station/Sherlock-Holmes-Classic-Radio--a91441 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-life-of-riley/donations Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Duration:00:14:22

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The Life of Riley 1947 Are We Ever Going to Get a Car

8/7/2020
1940s radio sitcom. "The Life of Riley", starring William Bendix as lovable, blundering, Chester A. Riley, was a radio situation comedy broadcast during and after wartime 40s. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sherlock Holmes Radio Station Live 24/7 Click Here to Listen https://live365.com/station/Sherlock-Holmes-Classic-Radio--a91441 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-life-of-riley/donations Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Duration:00:29:20

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The Life of Riley 1950-05-08 (LUX Theatre Play #702)

8/7/2020
1940s radio sitcom. "The Life of Riley", starring William Bendix as lovable, blundering, Chester A. Riley, was a radio situation comedy broadcast during and after wartime 40s. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sherlock Holmes Radio Station Live 24/7 Click Here to Listen https://live365.com/station/Sherlock-Holmes-Classic-Radio--a91441 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-life-of-riley/donations Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Duration:00:49:06

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The Life of Riley 1951-04-13 #313 Riley Is In A Rut

8/7/2020
1940s radio sitcom. "The Life of Riley", starring William Bendix as lovable, blundering, Chester A. Riley, was a radio situation comedy broadcast during and after wartime 40s. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sherlock Holmes Radio Station Live 24/7 Click Here to Listen https://live365.com/station/Sherlock-Holmes-Classic-Radio--a91441 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-life-of-riley/donations Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Duration:00:29:05

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The Life of Riley 1951-03-30 #311 Riley The Rent Collector

8/7/2020
1940s radio sitcom. "The Life of Riley", starring William Bendix as lovable, blundering, Chester A. Riley, was a radio situation comedy broadcast during and after wartime 40s. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sherlock Holmes Radio Station Live 24/7 Click Here to Listen https://live365.com/station/Sherlock-Holmes-Classic-Radio--a91441 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-life-of-riley/donations Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Duration:00:28:45

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The Life of Riley 1950-10-13 #288 Traffic Court

8/7/2020
1940s radio sitcom. "The Life of Riley", starring William Bendix as lovable, blundering, Chester A. Riley, was a radio situation comedy broadcast during and after wartime 40s. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sherlock Holmes Radio Station Live 24/7 Click Here to Listen https://live365.com/station/Sherlock-Holmes-Classic-Radio--a91441 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-life-of-riley/donations Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Duration:00:28:41

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The Life of Riley 1950-03-10 #270 (AFRTS Re-Broadcast) Leaking Roof (Tape Waver)

8/7/2020
1940s radio sitcom. "The Life of Riley", starring William Bendix as lovable, blundering, Chester A. Riley, was a radio situation comedy broadcast during and after wartime 40s. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sherlock Holmes Radio Station Live 24/7 Click Here to Listen https://live365.com/station/Sherlock-Holmes-Classic-Radio--a91441 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-life-of-riley/donations Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Duration:00:27:35

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The Life of Riley 1949-10-28 #251 Riley Buys a Television

8/7/2020
1940s radio sitcom. "The Life of Riley", starring William Bendix as lovable, blundering, Chester A. Riley, was a radio situation comedy broadcast during and after wartime 40s. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sherlock Holmes Radio Station Live 24/7 Click Here to Listen https://live365.com/station/Sherlock-Holmes-Classic-Radio--a91441 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-life-of-riley/donations Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Duration:00:28:38

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The Life of Riley 1949-10-14 #249 The Geiger Counter (Tape Waver)

8/7/2020
1940s radio sitcom. "The Life of Riley", starring William Bendix as lovable, blundering, Chester A. Riley, was a radio situation comedy broadcast during and after wartime 40s. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sherlock Holmes Radio Station Live 24/7 Click Here to Listen https://live365.com/station/Sherlock-Holmes-Classic-Radio--a91441 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-life-of-riley/donations Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Duration:00:28:52

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The Life of Riley 1949-05-20 #246 Junior Drops Out of School (aka Jrs Deliv. Bus)

8/7/2020
1940s radio sitcom. "The Life of Riley", starring William Bendix as lovable, blundering, Chester A. Riley, was a radio situation comedy broadcast during and after wartime 40s. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sherlock Holmes Radio Station Live 24/7 Click Here to Listen https://live365.com/station/Sherlock-Holmes-Classic-Radio--a91441 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-life-of-riley/donations Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Duration:00:28:44

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The Life of Riley 1949-04-22 #242 Riley Breaks Pegs Chinese Bowl

8/7/2020
1940s radio sitcom. "The Life of Riley", starring William Bendix as lovable, blundering, Chester A. Riley, was a radio situation comedy broadcast during and after wartime 40s. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sherlock Holmes Radio Station Live 24/7 Click Here to Listen https://live365.com/station/Sherlock-Holmes-Classic-Radio--a91441 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-life-of-riley/donations Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Duration:00:28:59

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The Life of Riley 1949-04-15 #241 Riley Talks in His Sleep About Gertrude

8/7/2020
1940s radio sitcom. "The Life of Riley", starring William Bendix as lovable, blundering, Chester A. Riley, was a radio situation comedy broadcast during and after wartime 40s. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sherlock Holmes Radio Station Live 24/7 Click Here to Listen https://live365.com/station/Sherlock-Holmes-Classic-Radio--a91441 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-life-of-riley/donations Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Duration:00:28:59

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The Life of Riley 1949-04-01 #239 Won't Let Peg Help Jr. With Homework

8/7/2020
1940s radio sitcom. "The Life of Riley", starring William Bendix as lovable, blundering, Chester A. Riley, was a radio situation comedy broadcast during and after wartime 40s. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sherlock Holmes Radio Station Live 24/7 Click Here to Listen https://live365.com/station/Sherlock-Holmes-Classic-Radio--a91441 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-life-of-riley/donations Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Duration:00:28:44

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The Life of Riley 1949-03-04 #235 Riley's Movie Premier (Riley Family are guests at Premier)

8/7/2020
1940s radio sitcom. "The Life of Riley", starring William Bendix as lovable, blundering, Chester A. Riley, was a radio situation comedy broadcast during and after wartime 40s. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sherlock Holmes Radio Station Live 24/7 Click Here to Listen https://live365.com/station/Sherlock-Holmes-Classic-Radio--a91441 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-life-of-riley/donations Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Duration:00:28:40