The Life of Riley, Vol. 1 (Hollywood 360 - Classic Radio Collection)

$24.85
by Hollywood 360

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An old-time radio classic that will keep you laughing all the way through! 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 Hollywood 360 is a syndicated radio show heard every Saturday evening on radio stations throughout the United States. Hollywood 360 showcases a wide variety of audio entertainment, from the golden age of Hollywood right up to today's most current headlines.

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