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From Radio to Movie to Television: The Life of Riley
by Guy Belleranti
A number of early television programs were series carried over from radio and/or movies. One of these was the situation comedy
The Life of Riley.
William Bendix had been playing Chester A. Riley in the radio version since 1943/1944 and then had the lead in 1949’s motion picture version. However, when it was decided in that same year - 1949 - to extend to program to the new medium of television, Bendix’s contract prevented him from joining the series.
Instead, Jackie Gleason was given the part. However, the Gleason version failed to attract enough loyal viewers and in March of 1950 it was cancelled. Bendix meanwhile continued to play Riley on the radio series until 1951.
Gleason, of course, went on to fame and fortune with The Honeymooners (beginning in 1955), but before this a second incarnation of
The Life of Riley came to television and NBC. And this time, in 1953, Bendix was free to play the part he knew so well.
The second series was an immediate success. It ran for 6 seasons and 217 episodes beginning in January 1953 and continuing until August of 1958.
Riley was a blue-collar Irish-American who worked as a riveter in a California aircraft plant. A gullible and big-hearted lummox of a man, Riley had a penchant for turning misunderstandings and small troubles into near disasters. Riley’s frequent catchphrase in such situations was “What a revoltin’ development this is!”
Riley’s best buddy, co-worker and next door neighbor the smart-alecky Jim Gillis (played by Tom D’Andrea) didn’t help anything as it was often Gillis’s schemes that started the trouble. But order was always restored in the end thanks in large part to Riley’s voice of reason wife, Peg (played by Marjorie Reynolds).
Other important characters on the Bendix starring series included the Riley’s daughter Barbara (“Babs”) played by Lugene Sanders and their son Junior, played by Wesley Morgan. (Note: the radio, movie and Gleason series also featured the important undertaker character Digby “Digger” O’Dell, played by John Brown).
The sitcom isn’t as well-remembered as some others from the era (i.e. I Love Lucy, Father Knows
Best, etc.), but it sure was popular during its run. In fact, after it ended it had a successful run in syndicated reruns into the mid-60’s and then later on cable TV in 1970’s.
more articles by Guy Belleranti
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