The Old Time Radio Flier 14 "THE LIFE OF RILEY"

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"The Life of Riley" starring William Bendix would be a solid midlevel hit with the radio audience of the 1940s and into the 50s. The main character was Chester A. Riley, a riveter in a California aircraft plant. He was easily exasperated but difficult to defeat. The difficulty increased by degrees with the flimsiness of Riley's cause, his character best revealed when surrounded by pandemonium. Chaos ensued when Riley confronted a leaky roof, trouble at the aircraft plant, or his kids growing problems. Bendix was very familiar with playing the beefy tough guy with a heart of gold and Riley is his best remembered character.

Riley's wife Peg, played by Paula Winslowe, tried to remain a supportive spouse but even she would reach her limits. Riley's children Babs and Jr., played by various actors over the years, were more than confused by the stubborn determination that their father displayed. As the half hour passed Riley would face questionable advice from his co-worker Gilles and Digby (Digger) O'Dell, the "friendly undertaker," both characters played remarkably by actor John Brown. Gillis was somewhat similar to Ozzie Nelson's neighbour Thorny but displaying more sarcasm. Digger O'Dell was good for one walk-on per show, a conversation with Riley that lead to a funny series of black humour and undertaker jokes. After the character Digger O'Dell was introduced the popularity of the show soured. Naturally he was most popular with those in the undertaker profession.

A television version of "Riley" premiered on NBC October 4, 1949. Still under contract to his studio Bendix was unavailable and Jackie Gleason played Riley. John Brown was the only member of the radio cast to make the transformation to television with the character Digger O'Dell. However, Bendix was still playing Riley on radio and Gleason was unacceptable as the character to the television audience and the television show ended on March 28, 1950. Bendix with a filmed version of "The Life of Riley" premiered on the NBC television network January 2, 1953 and lasted until August 22, 1958. Digger O'Dell did not appear in this version of Riley.

William Bendix died on December 8, 1964 at the age of 58. It was said he had always looked 58.

The Encyclopedia of Old-Time Radio
By John Dunning

Lovable "Riley" played definitively by William Bendix. All episodes have been listened to, checked, and labelled correctly.

430725 xx Riley Wants to Build a House William Bendix,Paula Winslowe
Riley has plans to build his dream house, but the plans grow with Riley's ideas.

440116 1 Riley Plans to Build a House William Bendix,Paula Winslowe

440130 3 The Butler Part 2 William Bendix,Paula Winslowe

440206 4 Riley Rents a House and Move from the Hotel William Bendix,Paula Winslowe
Riley rents a house and the family leaves the hotel in which they're living.

440213 5 Telephone Story William Bendix,Paula Winslowe

440220 6 Van Planten Theater Part 1 William Bendix,Paula Winslowe

440326 11 The Barber Chair William Bendix,Paula Winslowe

440402 12 Riley's Birthday - Thinks Baxter Is Giving Party William Bendix,Paula Winslowe

440409 13 Riley Is Best Dressed Man William Bendix,Paula Winslowe

440430 16 Baxter Goes to New York William Bendix,Paula Winslowe

440507 17 The Dog Catcher William Bendix,Paula Winslowe

440514 18 Riley Fixes Dinner for Mother's Day William Bendix,Paula Winslowe

440604 21 Fish Story William Bendix,Paula Winslowe

440924 37 Making Each Other Jealous William Bendix,Paula Winslowe
Riley promises to take Peg out, but temptation beckons in the form of a flirtatious lady at a "stag" party. The program is interrupted for a war bulletin of heavy Japanese losses during a South Pacific sea battle.

441008 39 Muley's Surprise Party for Riley William Bendix,Paula Winslowe
Riley's pal Muley is giving a party tomorrow, and Riley hasn't been invited!

441022 41 The Boss's Son-In-Law William Bendix,Paula Winslowe
Riley's boss is unhappy with his family situation. Riley tries to size up the new son-in-law.

441029 42 Halloween Haunted House William Bendix,Paula Winslowe
Riley and Junior visit a haunted house on Halloween.

441105 43 Piano Lessons for Junior William Bendix,Paula Winslowe
Riley decides to bring some culture into Junior's life. He decides to rent a piano so Junior can take lessons.

441112 44 Big Football Bet William Bendix,Paula Winslowe
Riley helps Junior with his algebra homework which jeopardizes the school football team.

441119 45 Turkey Hunt William Bendix,Paula Winslowe
How to get a turkey for Thanksgiving? It's easy...just win a turkey shoot!

441126 46 Bridesmaid Babs William Bendix,Paula Winslowe
Babs and Peg are in San Francisco to attend a wedding. Rumors begin that the Rileys are getting divorced.

441203 47 Most Popular Boy William Bendix,Paula Winslowe
Riley helps Junior get a date for the Pre-Christmas dance.

441210 48 Riley's Mash Note at Night School William Bendix,Paula Winslowe
While Riley is taking an algebra class at night school, he receives an anonymous love note.

441217 49 The Christmas Present William Bendix,Paula Winslowe
Riley has gotten a mysterious Christmas present. It's from Walla Walla. Who lives in Walla Walla?

441224 50 Roswell's a Guest for Christmas William Bendix,Paula Winslowe
Roswell Stevenson, the wealthy and snobby son of Riley's boss, is spending Christmas eve with the Rileys.

441231 51 New Year's Eve Party William Bendix,Paula Winslowe
It's New Years Eve and Rileys in trouble again. A flashback story.

450107 52 Silver Gloves Boxing Tourney William Bendix,Paula Winslowe
Who will fight in the "Silver Gloves" amateur boxing contest, Gillis' son Egbert or Junior Riley? Just before the bout, Junior refuses to fight. Is he a coward or is it a girl? William Bendix thanks the cast after the program's fifty second show.

450114 53 The Wedding Anniversary William Bendix,Paula Winslowe

450121 54 Riley's Conscience Bothers Him for Taking Phone Booth Nickels William Bendix,Paula Winslowe
Riley has gotten a handful of nickles from a pay phone. His conscience gives him a bad time, so he tells his story to radio's "Judge Sludge's Fair Deal Court."

450128 55 Five Dollars Is Missing William Bendix,Paula Winslowe

450204 56 The B.P.L.A. Initiates a New Member William Bendix,Paula Winslowe
There's a new member at the "B. P. L. A. "(Brooklyn Patriot League of America.)

450211 57 Riley Trains Junior's Dog William Bendix,Paula Winslowe
Junior gets a new dog and Riley ends up in the doghouse.

450225 59 Riley Helps Luigi Pass English Exam to Become Us Citizen William Bendix,Paula Winslowe
Riley is accused of cheating on an English exam, and is expelled from night school! A beautifully written story, good radio!

450304 60 Expectant Fathers William Bendix,Paula Winslowe
Riley learns that he's going to be a father. Flashback story.

450318 62 Riley Tries to Become a Pal to Junior William Bendix,Paula Winslowe
Riley tries to be a pal to Junior, and even goes along with him on a hike.

450513 69 Riley's Mother-In-Law Visits William Bendix,Paula Winslowe
Riley's mother-in-law is coming for a visit!

450908 77 Lay-Offs William Bendix,Paula Winslowe
Riley gets a two week vacation with pay, but everyone thinks he's been fired!

450915 78 Feud with Neighbor Gillis, over Junior's Goat William Bendix,Paula Winslowe
Riley and Gillis are feuding over a pet goat. Whose goat is it?

450922 79 Junior Is Head Of The Household William Bendix,Paula Winslowe
When Junior decides to quit school, Riley uses psychology, but Junior decides to get a job anyway.

450929 80 Change of Time William Bendix,Paula Winslowe

451006 81 Riley Refuses to Let Babs See Simon - Thinks He's a Suicide William Bendix,Paula Winslowe

451020 83 Peg's Old Boyfriend, Sydney, Is House Guest William Bendix,Paula Winslowe

451027 84 The Football Game William Bendix,Paula Winslowe

451124 88 Babs and Simon - Married William Bendix,Paula Winslowe

451201 89 BPLA Lodge Election - Phonograph Record Saves Riley William Bendix,Paula Winslowe
Riley tries to lose the election for the presidency of his lodge. He does so, with the help of Charles Dickens and "Sidney Cartoon."

451208 90 Riley Takes Job Promotion Exam William Bendix,Paula Winslowe
Riley goes to night school to prepare for a promotion exam, and is accused of cheating!

451215 91 Grandma's , Captain Riley William Bendix,Paula Winslowe
Riley is sure that his mother has a boyfriend while his father is away at sea. Henry Morgan appears as Riley's father!

460126 97 Riley's Tonsillectomy William Bendix,Paula Winslowe

460202 98 Junior's School Play William Bendix,Paula Winslowe
Riley urges Junior to get a part in the school play, and indeed he does get one...a role with only one word!

460309 103 Babs Music Scholarship William Bendix,Paula Winslowe

460316 104 Riley Buys an Insurance Policy William Bendix,Paula Winslowe
Riley buys a life insurance policy from Sidney Monahan and thinks he's going to be killed so Peg can collect double indemnity

460323 105 Junior Races Egbert - Poison Ivy William Bendix,Paula Winslowe

60406 107 Riley Finds a Silver Fox Fur Coat William Bendix,Paula Winslowe
Riley finds a fur coat on the bus and wins an argument with his conscience.

460413 108 Riley Thinks Junior Is a Shoplifter William Bendix,Paula Winslowe
When Riley finds a pen knife under Junior's mattress, he's sure that Junior's stolen it from a department store.

460420 109 The Giant Easter Bunny William Bendix,Paula Winslowe
Riley is sure that his new secret fertilizer is a roaring success when he spots a five foot rabbit in the garden.

460427 110 Gambling Doesn't Pay William Bendix,Paula Winslowe
Riley tries to teach Junior about the evils of gambling, which is not as easy as it sounds!

460504 111 Rileys Take in the Gillises After a Fire William Bendix,Paula Winslowe
The Gillises move in with the Rileys after a fire in their house. Brotherly love soon goes downhill.

460511 112 Junior Forgets Mother's Day William Bendix,Paula Winslowe
Riley suspects that Junior has forgotten Mother's Day.

460518 113 Playing Hookey William Bendix,Paula Winslowe
Riley plays hookey from work, but when Junior plays hookey from school, Riley is incensed!

460525 114 Junior Sells Peanuts at the Circus William Bendix,Paula Winslowe
Junior gets a job selling peanuts at the circus.

460601 115 The Riley Family of Actors William Bendix,Paula Winslowe
Babs has paid $25 for a part in a play, taking lessons from "Professor Van Plantain."

460608 116 The Bread Shortage and the Black Market William Bendix,Paula Winslowe
Riley finds himself in the black market bread business.

460615 117 A New Suit for Father's Day William Bendix,Paula Winslowe
Babs and Junior want to buy Riley a new suit for Father's Day.

460622 118 Morris Buys the Riley House William Bendix,Paula Winslowe

460629 119 Paper Route Subscription Contest to Go to Camp William Bendix,Paula Winslowe

460907 121 The Paper Route Contest William Bendix,Paula Winslowe

460914 122 Riley Doesn't Want Peg to Work for Sidney Monahan William Bendix,Paula

Winslowe
460921 123 Riley Hides on Boat to Catch Babs and Her Boyfriend Simon William Bendix,Paula Winslowe

460928 124 Riley Bribes Junior to Win Football Game William Bendix,Paula Winslowe

461005 125 Good Neighbor Week William Bendix,Paula Winslowe
Riley and Gillis are named "ideal neighbors," if only they'll stop beating each other up!


461012 126 The School Formal Dance - Helene's Swap Shop Dress For Babs William Bendix,Paula Winslowe
Babs get a "new" dress at the Swap Shop for the Saturday night dance.

461019 127 Riley Sues the Bus Company William Bendix,Paula Winslowe
It's Riley vs. the bus company.

461026 128 Riley Gets a Job in South America for His Company William Bendix,Paula Winslowe
Riley can't get along with his boss and plans to move to South America.

461102 129 Peg and Riley Both Run for Park Supervisor William Bendix,Paula Winslowe

461109 130 Egbert and Junior Go to Boy Scout Camp William Bendix,Paula Winslowe
Riley "helps" Junior sell newspaper subscriptions, which wins Junior two weeks at...


461116 131 Music Brings Riley and Peg Together William Bendix,Paula Winslowe
Riley has written a tune called "Put It There Old Pal." Babs' music teacher mistakes it for a composition by Rimsky Korsakov


461123 132 Riley, Football Hero for the Night Club Team William Bendix,Paula Winslowe
Riley becomes a football hero, on the the night club team.

461130 133 Riley Gets Free Medical Advice from Simon's Uncle, a Horse Doctor William Bendix,Paula Winslowe
Riley has hurt his leg while jumping over a fence.

461224 xx Christmas William Bendix,Paula Winslowe

461228 137 New Year's Eve - 10 Dates for Babs William Bendix,Paula Winslowe
Riley gets Babs a date for New Year's Eve, several of them in fact!

470111 139 Efficiency Expert William Bendix,Paula Winslowe
Riley gets Junior to take a course in Industrial Engineering and discovers that Junior is now an efficiency expert...supervising Riley!>

470118 140 Riley and Simon, Business Partners William Bendix,Paula Winslowe
The birth of "Riley and Vanderhopper."

470125 141 Riley's Honeymoon William Bendix,Paula Winslowe
Riley recalls his honeymoon train trip to Niagara Falls.

470201 142 Mr X - Riley Switched as a Baby William Bendix,Paula Winslowe

470208 143 Riley's Birthday - Forgotten William Bendix,Paula Winslowe

470315 148 Simon Is `Advice to the Lovelorn' Column Editor William Bendix,Paula Winslowe

470322 149 Riley, the Milkman William Bendix,Paula Winslowe
How Riley handled his in-laws when he and Peg were first married. A Flashback story.

470329 150 Riley the Gentleman - New Chair William Bendix,Paula Winslowe
"Sir Walter Riley" decides to be polite to Peg at all costs so he can get his new chair back and shut up his conscience.

470405 151 Riley, the Child Beater William Bendix,Paula Winslowe
Riley is expelled from his lodge...accused of child beating!

470412 152 Real Life Soap Opera, `Marriage Can Be Beautiful' William Bendix,Paula Winslowe
On their eighteenth anniversary, Riley is convinced Peg is cheating on him.

470419 153 Riley, The Boxer - Junior, The Coward William Bendix,Paula Winslowe
Riley is convinced that Junior is a coward.

470426 154 Simon, the Waiter, Blackmails Riley William Bendix,Paula Winslowe
Riley is being blackmailed by Babs' boyfriend Simon, after being seen in a romantic restaurant with another woman!

470503 155 Launching Babs in Society William Bendix,Paula Winslowe
Babs has to put together a dinner party for her home economics teacher, and her super-rich classmate.

470510 156 Model Son, the Mother's Day Speech William Bendix,Paula Winslowe
Riley's mother makes a batch of delicious doughnuts, which lead Riley into trouble with the Mother's Day Committee.

470531 159 The Accident Insurance Policy William Bendix,Paula Winslowe
Riley sprains his ankle and files for benefits under his new accident policy.

470614 161 Junior Wins The Soap Box Derby William Bendix, Paula Winslowe
Riley's bragging gets Junior disqualified from the Soap Box Derby.

470621 162 Babs Almost Gets a Job in San Francisco William Bendix,Paula Winslowe

470628 163 Riley and Gillis Spend a Week at the Lake William Bendix,Paula Winslowe
Riley and Gillis go on vacation in the woods without their wives, and get terribly homesick.

470705 164 Riley Thinks Peg Is Leaving Him William Bendix,Paula Winslowe

470906 165 Riley Enrolls at PIP Instead Of UCLA William Bendix,Paula Winslowe
Riley enrolls at a phony engineering school: "P. I. T.", The Pacific Institute Of Technology.

470913 166 Babs Has Two Dates William Bendix,Paula Winslowe
Riley sticks his nose into Babs' social life. Will she be going out with Leonard or Bruce?

470920 167 Junior Wants to Run Away from Home William Bendix,Paula Winslowe
Junior runs away from home, which leads to many complications.

470927 168 Venus with a Radio in Her Stomach, Art Object for the Piano William Bendix,Paula Winslowe
Riley buys a statue of Venus de Milo, with a clock and a radio in her stomach, lights in her hair, and a cigar lighter in her nose. She's just beautiful!

471004 169 Riley Gets a Promotion - Old Age Sets In William Bendix,Paula Winslowe
Riley gets promoted to a desk job, but he thinks his physical exam shows that he's getting too old to do his job. Even his wife Peg is trying to send him to the old folks' home!

471011 170 Riley, the Cop William Bendix,Paula Winslowe
Riley the cop. A flashback story.

471018 171 The Community Chest Drive William Bendix,Paula Winslowe

471025 172 The Ragamuffin Ball William Bendix,Paula Winslowe

471101 173 The Football Pool Card William Bendix,Paula Winslowe
Junior picks a pretty good football pool, which gets Riley a promotion.

471108 174 Junior and Babs Put on Anniversary Party William Bendix,Paula Winslowe
Junior and Babs plan an anniversary party for their parents.

471115 175 Riley in School Play William Bendix,Paula Winslowe
Peg tells Junior the story of Riley's appearance in the school play. A flashback story.

471122 176 Win a Buick Contest - Guess the Number of Beans in the Bowl William Bendix,Paula Winslowe
Are the Riley's ever going to get a car? There's a contest with a four wheeled first prize, guess the number of beans in a bowl and win a Buick.

471129 177 Thanksgiving with the Gillises William Bendix,Paula Winslowe

471206 178 The Greatest Man I Know William Bendix,Paula Winslowe
Riley isn't pleased with Junior's composition about, "The Greatest Man I Know."

471213 179 Babs Is Blackballed at the Sorority William Bendix,Paula Winslowe
Babs is about to be blackballed from a sorority, and Riley is not about to stand for it!

471220 180 First Christmas in Store Window William Bendix,Paula Winslowe
The Rileys remember their first Christmas together. Riley applies for a job as a chauffeur and finds himself driving the getaway car for bank robbers! A flashback story.

471227 181 Family Christmas Present - TV or Piano William Bendix,Paula Winslowe
Riley decides a get a present for the family. Will it be a television set or a piano?

480103 182 Riley Gets Junior Two Dates for a Dance William Bendix, Paula Winslowe
Junior needs a date for the dance, so Riley gets him one. In fact, he gets Junior two!

480320 193 The Suggestion Contest William Bendix,Paula Winslow
The Riley kids have little respect for their father.

480327 194 The Giant Easter Bunny - Fertilizer William Bendix,Paula Winslowe
Riley sees a five-foot-tall "Easter Bunny."

480403 195 Riley, the Crime Buster - Juvenile Delinquency - Curfew William Bendix,Paula Winslowe
Riley attends a meeting of the "Neighborhood Betterment League" to complain about juvenile delinquency.

480410 196 Peg Studies French William Bendix,Paula Winslowe
When Peg joins Babs in taking French lessons, Riley takes a great dislike to the teacher.

480417 197 The Care Drive William Bendix,Paula Winslowe
The Riley family seems to have forgotten Chester's birthday, but the family remembers to give to "CARE."

480424 198 Spring Fever William Bendix,Paula Winslowe

480501 199 Junior's Baseball Uniform - Reform School William Bendix,Paula Winslowe
When Junior wants a baseball uniform, Riley gets him one, formerly owned by a reform school!

480508 200 Riley's Mother's Day Gift Is Explained William Bendix,Paula Winslowe
Riley goes job hunting with little Babs, falls asleep, passer-by think Riley's a beggar and he's arrested for panhandling. A flashback story.

480515 201 Riley, Man of Distinction William Bendix,Paula Winslowe

480522 202 Monahan Spends Weekend with the Rileys William Bendix,Paula Winslowe
Peg's old flame from Brooklyn, comes for a visit. Riley becomes convinced that they're planning to run away together.

480529 203 Cooperation Picnic - Riley And Gillis Buy a Car Together William Bendix,Paula Winslowe
Riley and Gillis go halves on a car and go on a picnic.

480612 205 Babs' Graduation William Bendix,Paula Winslowe
Babs is graduating from High School, but Riley refuses to go to the ceremony.

480619 206 Father's Day - Bathrobes William Bendix,Paula Winslowe
It's Father's Day, and Riley is hoping for a bathrobe from Junior.

480626 207 A Vacation on the Prison Farm William Bendix,Paula Winslowe
The Rileys go to a farm for their vacation...

480903 209 Riley Meets Clem Kadiddlehopper William Bendix,Paula Winslowe
Riley spoils Babs' romance by hiding in a closet, so he sets her up with a new boy...Clem Kadiddlehopper! Red Skelton guest stars.

480910 210 The Household Drudge William Bendix,Paula Winslowe

481008 214 How to Pick a Mate William Bendix,Paula Winslowe
After reading a book titled "How To Pick A Mate," Riley decides that Sidney Monahan would make a better husband for Peg than he.

481015 215 The Problem Child William Bendix,Paula Winslowe
Junior has been misbehaving.

481022 216 Riley Campaigns William Bendix,Paula Winslowe
Riley's career in politics. A flashback story.

481029 217 Riley and the Aardvark William Bendix,Paula Winslowe
>i>Riley is determined to learn everything from A to Z, starting with "aardvarks."

481112 219 Riley's Tonsillectomy William Bendix,Paula Winslowe

481119 220 Father-In-Law Trouble William Bendix,Paula Winslowe
Riley has a Thanksgiving conflict with Peg's father/

481126 221 Bab's Elderly Boyfriend William Bendix,Paula Winslowe
Riley's daughter Babs is rumored to be going out with an older man who looks like Cary Grant.

481203 222 Riley Tries to Get Football Tickets - A Foremanship Is up for Grabs William Bendix,Paula Winslowe
Riley and Gillis both try to curry influence with their boss with tickets to a football game.

481210 223 Riley's Jilted Sister Visits William Bendix,Paula Winslowe
The story of Riley's sister's marriage to Hugo, the gambler.

481217 224 Riley and Mrs Morris; Buys a Car - Not a Wife William Bendix,Paula Winslowe
Riley thinks he's James Mason, which leads to an embarrassing love note.

481231 226 Riley Invites Himself to His Boss's New Year's Eve Party William Bendix,Paula Winslowe
Riley gets himself invited to his boss' New Year's party. He finds himself very much out of his element when he's mistaken for a waiter!

490107 227 Riley Coaches Junior's Basketball Team William Bendix,Paula Winslowe
Junior's basketball team needs a coach, and Riley's just the guy for the job.

490114 228 Riley Gets a Job in Arabia William Bendix,Paula Winslowe
Riley quits his job and decides to move to Arabia when he can't find another one.

490121 229 Riley's Old Flame, Bertha William Bendix,Paula Winslowe
Riley's old sweetheart, comes from Brooklyn for a visit, only to learn that Riley is divorcing Peg!

490128 230 A Quiet Evening by the Fireside William Bendix,Paula Winslowe
Riley is determined to spend a quiet evening by the fireplace...or else!

490204 231 Riley Talks in His Sleep About 'Gertrude' William Bendix,Paula Winslowe
Who's the mysterious woman Riley has been dreaming about?

490211 232 Babs Elopes, Sells Cards with Simon William Bendix,Paula Winslowe
Riley is sure Babs has eloped with her boyfriend, Simon.>

490218 233 A Valentine Locket from Monahan Is Signed by Riley William Bendix,Paula Winslowe
A locket from Riley's boss has Riley's name in it.

490304 235 The Riley's Are Guests of Universal Film Opening in Cincinnati William Bendix,Paula Winslowe
The film, "The Life Of Riley" is playing in the home city of Proctor and Gamble. The program originates from the Grand Theatre, Cincinatti, Ohio.

490311 236 Wedding Photograph - Wire Recorder William Bendix,Paula Winslowe
The Riley's wedding portrait is the gift on their eighteenth wedding anniversary.

490318 237 The Riley's Wedding, Complete with Monahan William Bendix,Paula Winslowe
The Riley's wedding. Riley is jilted at the altar! A flashback story.

490325 238 Bab's Runs for UCLA President William Bendix,Paula Winslowe
Babs runs for president of her class at UCLA.

490401 239 Riley Won't Let Peg Help Junior with His Homework William Bendix,Paula Winslowe
Junior's going to be put off the baseball team unless he solves some algebra problems. Riley helps?

490408 240 Riley Is Held Up William Bendix,Paula Winslowe
Riley is the victim of a hold-up. Burt Lancaster guest stars.

490422 242 Riley Breaks a Vase with His Bowling Ball William Bendix,Paula Winslowe

490429 243 Riley Goes to War After Reading a 1941 Newspaper William Bendix,Paula Winslowe William Bendix,Paula Winslowe
Riley picks a 1941 newspaper and thinks the country is at war.

490506 244 Babs Leaves Home - 3rd Riley Movie Show William Bendix,Paula Winslowe
Riley doesn't see any resemblance between himself and that guy in the movie, "The Life Of Riley."

490513 245 Riley Waits Tables to Meet Peg William Bendix,Paula Winslowe
Junior and Egbert Gillis are going to go to camp. Riley and Gillis are too happy about this situation. A flashback story.

490520 246 Junior Has His Own Delivery Business William Bendix,Paula Winslowe
Junior goes into business for himself.

490527 247 Junior and Egbert Leave for Camp William Bendix,Paula Winslowe
After a school fire, Junior and Egbert are going to Boy Scout camp.

491007 248 Babs' Wedding - Baby Sitting William Bendix,Paula Winslowe
Babs is getting married...and to a millionaire's son!

491014 249 The Geiger Counter William Bendix,Paula Winslowe
Riley buys a geiger counter and discovers uranium...

491021 250 The Policeman Boarder William Bendix,Paula Winslowe
The mysterious new boarder in the Riley household is Ferguson...with gun and blackjack!

491028 251 A Television Set on a 10 Day Free Trial William Bendix,Paula Winslowe
Riley buys a TV set for $2300, which promptly gets repossessed.

491104 252 The Expectant Father William Bendix,Paula Winslowe
Riley thinks that Peg is expecting!

491111 253 The Community Chest Drive William Bendix,Paula Winslowe

491118 254 The Escort Bureau William Bendix,Paula Winslowe
Riley foresees an old maid's life for Babs, and hires an escort for her.

491202 256 Riley, the Bookie William Bendix,Paula Winslowe

491216 258 Riley, the Fireman William Bendix,Paula Winslowe
Riley, the fireman. A flashback story.

491223 259 The Christmas Club William Bendix,Paula Winslowe
Riley has embezzled the money is the family's Christmas Club account.

491230 260 Riley Drives a Cab for Bab's Boyfriend William Bendix,Paula Winslowe
Riley and his big mouth ruins two New Year's Eve dates for the big dance. He gets Digger O'Dell to take Peg out, so he can take his daughter Babs to the dance.

500106 261 The Care Drive William Bendix,Paula Winslowe
Riley has helped build the school swimming pool, but Mr. Bidwell has gotten all the credit.

500113 262 Riley's Southern Female Neighbor William Bendix,Paula Winslowe
Riley gets engaged to the new Southern gal next door and Peg gets invited to the party!

500127 264 Junior Is in Love William Bendix,Paula Winslowe
Junior's in love...with a girl, not a gang.

500217 267 Peg, the Waitress William Bendix,Paula Winslowe
Riley loses his job, so Peg goes to work as a waitress.

500224 268 Riley's Step Out William Bendix,Paula Winslowe
Mr. and Mrs. Riley never seem to go out, so Chester A. takes Peg out twice...with disastrous results.

500303 269 Riley Becomes an Actor on TV William Bendix,Paula Winslowe
Riley, the TV-star-to-be, is taken in by swindlers, but winds up on the screen anyway.

500310 270 Riley Has a Rent Controversy with His Landlord William Bendix,Paula Winslowe

500317 271 Babs Is Alergic to Riley William Bendix,Paula Winslowe
The story of Riley's old popcorn route and the strange allergy that ended it all.

500324 272 Cissie's Marriage William Bendix,Paula Winslowe

500331 273 Chivalry Is Dead William Bendix,Paula Winslowe

500407 274 Miracle of the Bells William Bendix,Paula Winslowe
Junior's case of puppy love with his teacher develops into ringing bells for Riley.

500414 275 The Riley's Anniversary William Bendix,Paula Winslowe
It's the Riley's eighteenth anniversary and Mervin Snell is in town. Riley's jealous and the marriage is over! The broadcast originates from Milwaukee. After the story, William Bendix describes his visit to the Pabst brewery in Milawuakee.

500421 276 Riley Goes to a Drive-In Theater William Bendix,Paula Winslowe
Babs has a job at the drive-in theatre, and Riley's first visit to see her is with a blonde!
500428 277 Riley, the Hamburger King William Bendix,Paula Winslowe
Riley goes into the hamburger business...but so does Junior!

500505 278 Riley Decides to Move William Bendix,Paula Winslowe
Riley moves into a rickety old house, without the family.

500526 281 Peg in a Beauty Contest William Bendix,Paula Winslowe
Peg catches Riley square dancing with the beautiful southern lady next door. He then enters Peg in a bathing beauty contest,for woman over 35!

501006 287 Surprise Party Show William Bendix,Paula Winslowe
Even though he hasn't much money, Riley would like to bring his parents to California from Brooklyn on their Golden Wedding anniversary. Perhaps a radio game show can help?

501013 288 Riley's First Car - Traffic Court William Bendix,Paula Winslowe
Riley has finally purchased a car...an Essex! Now, if he can only get a driver's license.

501020 289 Collection Agency William Bendix,Paula Winslowe
<>Babs' new boyfriend has a father in the collection business, and Riley's the prime target!

501027 290 Riley Wants a New Stove for a Cake Baking Contest William Bendix,Paula Winslowe
Peg enters a baking contest in order to win a new stove...and wins despite Riley's help!

501103 291 Bab's Elopement William Bendix,Paula Winslowe
After Babs nearly elopes, the Rileys try to arrange a proper marriage into the wealthy Roberts family.

501110 292 Riley Wins a Hudson Guessing the Number of Beans in a Jar William Bendix,Paula Winslowe
Riley enters a "Count The Beans" contest in hopes of winning a new Hudson!

501117 293 The Riley's First Date William Bendix,Paula Winslowe
Peg tells Junior the story of her first date with Riley.

501124 294 Riley Locks up Babs After Student Riot William Bendix,Paula Winslowe
After daughter Babs is arrested, Riley keeps her under lock and key!

501201 295 Riley's Troubles with New Foreman William Bendix,Paula Winslowe
Riley is romancing the daughter of the new foreman in order to keep his job.

501208 296 Junior's Lawn Mowing Company Venture William Bendix,Paula Winslowe

501215 297 Riley the Coward - Peg Goes to Work William Bendix,Paula Winslowe

501222 298 The Riley's First Baby William Bendix,Paula Winslowe
Riley attends a life-savings class, which leads to a new baby for the Riley family!

510105 300 Peg's Father Comes to Visit William Bendix,Paula Winslowe

510112 301 Anniversary Tiff - Riley Pays the Light Bill William Bendix,Paula Winslowe

510119 302 Scoutmaster Riley - Housekeeping System William Bendix,Paula Winslowe
Riley decides to help Peg with the housework, which gets him a trouble with his friends around the poker table.

510126 303 Tillie Boomer - Riley Becomes Engaged to Two Women William Bendix,Paula Winslowe
The story of Riley's double engagement to both Peg and Tillie Boomer.

510202 304 Babs Blackballed at the Sorority William Bendix,Paula Winslowe

510209 305 Charleston Dance Lessons with Louella William Bendix,Paula Winslowe
Riley takes dancing lessons...but not with Mrs. Riley!


510216 306 Riley's Case of Nerves William Bendix,Paula Winslowe

510223 307 Riley Has Tonsillitis William Bendix,Paula Winslowe
The story of Riley's tonsillectomy.

510302 308 Louella Stays With The Rileys William Bendix, Paula Winslowe

510316 309 Riley Installs a Time Clock William Bendix,Paula Winslowe
Riley installs a time clock in the house to keep tabs on Peg and the kids.

510323 310 Basketball Game - Bribe William Bendix,Paula Winslowe
Riley spots Junior taking money at the big school basketball game. Is he taking a bribe?

510330 311 Riley, the Rent Collector William Bendix,Paula Winslowe
Riley tries to out-smart the rent-collector. Then, he becomes the rent collector!

510406 312 Old Man Riley William Bendix,Paula Winslowe


510413 313 Civil Service Exam - Riley Contemplates Changing Jobs William Bendix,Paula Winslowe
Ben Fields, and old chum of Riley's, is coming for a visit. "Stinky" Felds' success inspires Riley to study for the civil service exam.

510420 314 Riley and Louella, a Kiss in the Dark William Bendix,Paula Winslowe
Riley's been kissed in the dark at a party. Who did it?

510427 315 Babs Wants Privacy - Moves Out William Bendix,Paula Winslowe

510511 317 Riley and the Black Chiffon Nightgown William Bendix,Paula Winslowe
Riley has had his pocket picked of his pay. Peg is sure to think that he's gambled and lost the money.

510518 318 Junior Wins the Soap Box Derby William Bendix,Paula Winslowe
Riley's bragging gets Junior disqualified from the Soap Box Derby.

510601 320 Riley and the Ballet William Bendix,Paula Winslowe

510615 322 Riley, the Forger William Bendix,Paula Winslowe

510629 324 The Rileys Leave for a Vacation in Brooklyn William Bendix,Paula Winslowe

LRT 500508 701 Life of Riley Lux Radio Theater William Bendix,Rosemary DeCamp

Wally Brown Audition - Dialogue Only 490624 The Life of Riley Wally Brown Audition


Synopsis provided by The RadioGOLDINdex