March 6, 2022 • 30 mins
Known for its tag line "What a revoltin’ development this is", The Life of Riley, starring William Bendix, first aired in January of 1944. The show was originally conceived as a vehicle for Groucho Marx, but it was reworked and recast with the assistance of co-developer Milton "Gummo" Marx, the non-performing Marx brother. It eventually emerged as a situation comedy about the life and struggles of blue-collar, salt-of-the-earth Chester A. Riley. Riley, a husband, father, and riveter at a California aircraft plant brought comedy to the common man’s struggle to make ends meet and finesse the challenges of everyday life. Riley invariably addressed a problem or pursued a scheme with a "full steam ahead" attitude that inflated even the most innocuous situation into a full-blown disaster.
The ironic title, suggesting a life of ease and comfort, probably had its origins in the 19th century. Some suggest the phrase "the life of Riley" referred to the 19th century clan Riley of County Cavan in Ireland, who consolidated power and wealth to such an extent that they minted their own money. Others claim the phrase is a reference to Hoosier poet, James Whitcomb Riley. Whatever the origin, "the life of Riley" became a catch phrase in the popular culture of the 1940s that has lasted to the present day, and is tied irrevocably to the character of Chester A. Riley.
In addition to Bendix’ Riley, the show featured immensely popular supporting characters, including Digby "Digger" O’Dell, the ghoulish "friendly undertaker" voiced by John Brown (who also played Thorny on Ozzie and Harriet, Al on My Friend Irma, and Broadway on The Damon Runyan Theatre). Riley’s annoying co-worker, Gillis, was also voiced by Brown. Uncle Baxter, Riley’s unwelcome permanent houseguest, was played by Hans Conreid.
The ironic title, suggesting a life of ease and comfort, probably had its origins in the 19th century. Some suggest the phrase "the life of Riley" referred to the 19th century clan Riley of County Cavan in Ireland, who consolidated power and wealth to such an extent that they minted their own money. Others claim the phrase is a reference to Hoosier poet, James Whitcomb Riley. Whatever the origin, "the life of Riley" became a catch phrase in the popular culture of the 1940s that has lasted to the present day, and is tied irrevocably to the character of Chester A. Riley.
In addition to Bendix’ Riley, the show featured immensely popular supporting characters, including Digby "Digger" O’Dell, the ghoulish "friendly undertaker" voiced by John Brown (who also played Thorny on Ozzie and Harriet, Al on My Friend Irma, and Broadway on The Damon Runyan Theatre). Riley’s annoying co-worker, Gillis, was also voiced by Brown. Uncle Baxter, Riley’s unwelcome permanent houseguest, was played by Hans Conreid.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:02):
Terry is Folks, a typical Americancitizen who last Thursday walked into the office
of the Internal Revenue Department, laidhis nineteen forty four income tax on the
desk, and said, oh myaching back. The American Meat Institute presents
William Bendix in the Life of Riley. The meat people of America providing a
(00:40):
great food for a great nation.Five million farmers and ranchers raising fine meat
animals, six hundred thousand men andwomen in more than three thousand, five
hundred meat packing plants, four hundredthousand meat retailers, all going their level
best in face of the enormous demandsof war. To put meat on your
table. On behalf of all these, The American Lead Institute brings you the
(01:03):
Life of Riley well Chester. ARiley, California war worker, is a
pretty contented man. He has agood job, a patient wife, a
pretty daughter, and a fine son. But every once in a while he
(01:26):
suffers. His only parents, whoare completely devoted to their children, can
suffer. For example, it's morningand Riley's son Junior catches Riley about to
leave for work. Well, say, Pop, there's something I want to
ask your Sorry Junior, no morenickels. They froze my salary. I'm
freezing your allowance. Oh isn't itthat, Papa? It's should save it?
(01:48):
So tonight, Junior, I gotno time. Now I'll be laid
for work. You'll only take aminute. I want to ask your permission
to do something well making a snappysend? Oh can I quit school and
go to work? For sure?Time? You want? Good bye?
Now? Gee? What did yousay? Oh? No, I said,
can I quit school? Quit school? Are you out of my mind?
(02:13):
I never heard of such a crazything? Why should you quit school?
Oh? Why should I go toschool? I asked you first?
Well, I'm sick of school andI want to go to work. I
know some pills who are knocking downa sixty bucks a week, so can
I? How can you make sixtybucks a week when I'm only making fifty
(02:34):
two seventy four? Are you smarterthan me? Wow? Never mind?
That ain't the point anyway. Butgee, look, Poppy, if I
want to work now, I canhelp with the rent on the house here.
And I don't need to help withthe rent. I can stall the
landlord by myself. But sixty dollarsa week sixty dollars a week. You
(02:59):
will graduate form in college and makea hundred bucks a month. This is
the land of Gee. You don'tunderstand, Pop. You're the one who
don't understand someny. Why do youthink I'm working so hard to give you
opportunities that my father couldn't give me? What? Pop? Sixty bucks?
So how many times have I toldyou that money ain't everything? Junior?
(03:21):
A man with ten million dollars,there's no happier than a man with nine
millions. But Pop, I don'twant to discuss it no more. And
I'll go to school and study.All right, I'll go, But I'm
not sold on the idea money,money, money, always taking a money
the image of his mother. Oh, nobody, just myself. That's why
(03:46):
I got the last word, Peg. What do you think Junior wants to
quit school and go to work.Oh, don't worry about that. There's
always something going on the boy's head. You ought to know you were a
boy once. You tell when Iwas a boy, there was nothing going
on in my I mean, Inever thought of working, you know what
(04:10):
I mean? You make your best? Okay, raising kids is one headache
after another. Believe me, Pegg. It's no job for a married man
with responsibilities. Hey, Riley,lunch I was almost over. Why don't
(04:34):
you eat? Don't bother me,Gillis, I'm thinking with my brain.
I just stick to your own ragget. That's my boy, Junior. Sometimes
I just can't understand that kid.I bet you had the same trouble with
your egg bite. Huh Na.Never, I don't have no trouble figuring
out my egg bite trouble with you, Riley. You ain't close enough to
(04:58):
Junior. I went close to himwith the small rooms we got in our
house. No, no, Idon't mean that. I mean being a
companion to a kid like I amwith Egwait, every three minute I got,
I spent on agly or life.I did do the same with Junior.
Early. I ain't got no freetime, no time. What about
(05:23):
Sunday afternoon? Well, after all, Sunday afternoon, I got to go
to the BPLA LA. Yeah,my club, the Brooklyn Patriots of Los
Angeles. I gotta hang around there. I'm the treasurer. And that the
members wouldn't feel right unless they couldkeep an eye on me. Riley.
(05:45):
It's obviously to me that you andJunior a practically strangest. We are not
Why why Junior and me? Wego everywhere? Last week I took him
to see Paul Whiteman. The weekbefore I took him to see Frank Sinatra.
We've been through thicker offend together.Okay, so he lets you treat
(06:09):
him to a show that don't proveno emotional appache. I'm just as close
to my boy as you are theEggbert. We're real pals. We're insufferable.
Okay, you are, then,no doct He invited you to the
hikes something You'll bet your life you'rehi? What y They see Junior and
(06:31):
egg Bite and a couple of theirfriends is going on a hike. This
sent my egg Bite invited me togo along. Of course I gotta wait,
But you're Junior didn't invite you tomy kids strung enough to carry his
own lunch. Stop kidding yourself.Junior ain't gonna invite you. And there's
(06:54):
only one reason you and the boyis dripped in apart, and it's your
fault. You're neglecting your paternal dutyas a father. Oh yeah, you'll
see, Junior is going to fightme to that hike. You'll see the
kind of a father I am.I can be just as infernal as you
are. I think I'm home.Oh, Riley, you're early. Now
(07:26):
he can go to the movie.Ah no, not to night Dublin.
No, you'll have to go withoutme. I got something more important to
do. I'm I'm spending the eveningwith my son for a change. Oh
well that's fine, dear, youdo spend so little time with him.
Yeah, well, things are goingto be different now I'm Junior's father,
and from now on I'm taking arap for it. Well, we don't
(07:48):
mind if I go without you.No, no, me and Junior are
gonna fload the front. I'm gettingclose to that boy starting this minute.
But you'll have to wait a littlewhile he's in the bathtub. Now.
Hello, Oh, hold on,mu what's new? No kidding? You
(08:09):
got two tickets ringside? Who's fighting? Oh hey, that's a great match.
Ye I'd like to see that.Yeah. Besides, it will be
a great chance to breathe in somecigarette smoke. Yeah, you bet your
life, i'd like that. Ohno, wait a minute, mutely,
(08:33):
No, No, I can't go. No, no, I gotta stay
in tonight and get close to myboy. All right, I'm nuts,
but I happen to enjoy it now. I want thanks anyway, Muley Junior,
Oh Junior? Oh h h yourjunior old son o? Pop?
(08:54):
Goodbye, Pope, goodbye Junior.Wait a minute, where are you going?
Oh? Tonight is Friday and Igot an important date Pop, oh
with Marilyn Morris. Oh you're you'rea girl. But I was sort of
planning I'm staying in tonight night.Thought the dude to stay in the house
too alone. What do you meanalone? I'm here right? I oh,
(09:18):
yeah, I know, but you'remy father. I mean I think
I know what you mean? CanI go now? Yeah, you can
go? Okay, good night,Pop. I couldn't wait till he got
away from me. Treats me likethe plague. What am I a leopard?
(09:50):
Oh? The whole Pop? Whatare you doing home on a Saturday
night? He stayed in last nightand this is your bawling night. I
feel like bowling. Well, don'tlet me keep your goodbye, Junior.
Oh goodbye, I'm not going anywhere. You're not well? Then, Oh,
(10:11):
there's something I wanted to talk toyou about. Oh that's well,
say oh, it's something important.Go ahead, son, asked me.
What's on your mind? Come well, I don't think you'll do it.
Oh I'll do it. Don't youworry about that. I'll do it.
Go on, ask me, willyou let me thirty cents? You'll better,
I'll go hiking with you. I'llbe up early making thirty cents.
(10:35):
That what you asked me before?Yes? What for? Well, if
I have thirty cents, I wouldn'thave to stay home to night. I
can go the Hollies. Oh yousaid you'd say yes for sure, Sure
I will. I'll do better toan, I'll give you sixty cents,
and then you can take someone withyou, someone that's close to you.
(10:58):
Oh, sure that'd be well.Yeah, but mom saw the picture.
Well there are other members of thefamily. Oh but Baptis isn't here,
so I can't take her. Junior, you're running out a relative. Eventually
you will have to get down tome. Oh did you want to call
(11:18):
Pop only if you want me,I don't mind. Oh thanks, Junior,
that's real big of you. Ohyeah, Papa miss the nosery anyod
time. Oh you know, it'sgreat to be walking along like this with
(11:39):
your own son son tonight I feelreal close to you. Well, would
you mind moving over a pocket pushingme off the curb? Oh excuse me.
Oh, it's a great night.Look at that sky, just filthy
with stars. Well, that meansit'll be a nice antimarrow. Yeah,
great day for taking a walk.No, I love walking in a good
(12:01):
fresh air, A good long hike. That's for me. I should do
more of it. Whoa, hey, I got an idea you have,
Junior. Watch don't take the busto work every morning. Walk Well,
I mean walking in the open country. Boy. Oh, I love hiking.
I'd walk a mile for a hike. Oh, me and a gang
(12:24):
are going on a hike tomorrow.Really, Hey, you know what I
think? That's Maryland over there.Yeah it is Maryland. Say Marilyn hello,
Junior, Hello, mister Riley,good bye Marylyn. Come on,
Junior. Well you see Maryland.Go on, Junior, I'm not stopping
you. Well, I mean Iwant if you think it's all right to
(12:46):
practically snub you fiance in the street, go on, feeyance Mariland. You're
only twelve twelve and a half.Oh excuse me, madam, I see
no reason to conceal the fact thatJunior and I are planning to get married.
(13:09):
Is the wedding tonight? Oh no, it's June night, nineteen fifty
three. Oh cut it out,Maril Mount. Junior, you got the
nineteen fifty three enjoy your freedom?Were you going somewhere special? Look,
(13:30):
Marily, it's customary before the weddingfor the groove to have a bachelor party.
This is it? Count Junior wouldbe late for the feature to Oh
are you going to the movie?I just love movies. Why don't you
come on with Oh, mister Riley, thanks for asking me. You were
(13:54):
going to ask me, weren't you. Yeah? Yes, Junior took the
words right out of my mouth.He also put them in there. Well,
come on, I'll get the tickets. Three please, three two adults
and a child's ticket from my daughterin law to be okay, come on
(14:16):
kids? See looks crowded, Papa. I hope I can get seen.
I'll leave it to me. Ohh usher, any seats all? We
have? Two? Wow? Comeon, Junior, not to sit down
from going for went? Yeah?Yeah, yeah, my my boy dad.
I want to see down single inthe balcony. The balcony, what
(14:39):
a revolting development. Stay away toyour left set. I'm sorry, you
can't get any closer to your boy. You're sorry. In a moment,
(15:01):
we'll rejoin Riley, who to fightfrustration, is going to become a peal
to his son or die in theattempt. In the meantime, this is
Can Niles reporting a war story fromthe South Pacific. It was following an
attack a few months ago, severalNavy task groups were gathered at an advanced
base, just a strip of coralbeach inhabited only by chameleons and wild chickens,
(15:22):
the latter descendants of chickens left thereby early sailing ships. Airmen,
marines, chaplains, officers in khakishirts, machinists, mates and seamen,
and dungarees were gathered there. Therewas no USO, no movies, but
for needed relaxation, these officers decidedon a good old fashioned American picnic and
(15:43):
stake roast. If the ship's suppliescould produce the stakes, they could and
did. Picnic sized pieces of frozen, boneless beef brought up from the refrigerator
rooms of the ships. Picnic tableswere improvised of palm tree logs, Fires
were built, and stakes were roastedbarbecue style, eaten with mustard on buns
baked aboard ship. And the navyman who told the story said, no
(16:06):
flamon at famous hotels ever tasted better. Neither your Quartermaster Corps nor your meat
industry set out boneless beef especially fora picnic, but we're mighty glad some
of it was used that way.The point is, whether it's picnics or
ration. Can fighters need the goodeating and good proteans of meat, and
the meat industry is doing its bestto supply all they need. Remember,
(16:32):
meat is a yardstick of protean foodsbecause meat measures up to every protean need.
And now back to the Life ofRiley with William Bendix as Riley.
Riley has been trying, in hisown subtle way to get closer to his
son Junior and be a real fowlto him. So far he has failed
(16:56):
completely, but Riley hasn't given uphope. Right now we find him still
trying to get Junior to invite himon the hike. The Junior and his
friends have arranged. It's early morningof the day of the hike. What
are you doing in the kitchen soearly? Oh, good morning, Junior,
I'm I'm making some sandwiches for youand the boys for the hike.
(17:17):
Oh, I could have made himprobable. Why should you loose, Lee?
That's one of the pleasures of beinga father, losing sleep over his
son. Oh, thanks, Pop, you're a pal. I am a
great day for a hike, innocent. Sure, I better get a great
kick out of a hike if Iwasn't such an old man. Jee,
Pop, you're not too old andgo on a high. You mean you
(17:40):
want me to go with you?Well, I of course. If you
don't want me, or you gottado is say no. Don't be afraid
to hurt my feelings, Pop,I don't want to hurt your feelings.
I'd like you to come with Okay, Junior, you taught me into it.
Thanks, thanks frisking me. Thanksa minute, Junia, stop kissing
(18:00):
me. There's a gang now,Okay, Junior, let's go. Old
side kicks getting late? Oh hidbye? Wali, Hi Junior, Hello,
Junior, let's go good bye.Wait, wait, fellas, I'm
coming with you? What what that'sright? Fellas? My father's coming.
(18:25):
You mean just to the street,No, all the way on the hike,
on the hike. That's right,gang, mister Riley. Don't you
have to work today? Don't youhave a club maten? No, sir,
you mean you've got nothing to dotoday, a grown man like you.
No. So let's go like wesay in the frozen North mush marching
(18:48):
alone to gidther tomorrow, fellas,fun of me marching alone to gid marching
(19:12):
along there, Hey, fallas,follow me? How can we? You're
a mile behind us? March long? Hey, fellas, Wait, wait,
(19:33):
fellas, how do you get acrossthis river? Step across on the
stone where? Oh oh, yeah, I see him at the stitch there
I come. Hey, oh ohoh oh go foo Junior. Hey wait,
(20:06):
brother's away from my father again withhis father. You had to pick
a turtle for a father. Cutoff those cracks? Hey, hey burn,
what are you scratching like that for? You know them flower as your
father made me pick? Yeah.Well, i'm getting poison ivy, poison
ivy, I'm getting. Oh,don't get excited, and seven years it'll
(20:27):
be gone. I'm just like that, Believe me, Junior. I raised
my old man different. When Igo out, he stays home. Here
he comes, not cut it outto jes you okay, Pa, Yeah,
okay, listen, boys, youbetter rest, you catch your breath.
(20:49):
We're okay, Daniel boone of courseif you can't take it, who
can't take it? Don't don't don'twork, he'd put me. Then let's
go. It'll be dark. We'vewait a minute. Over there by that
bush, that boom, a wildboot. He's gonna charge us. I
(21:11):
don't get take cover of boys,take over, protect you. I'll protect
you. Look out. He's comingat us. Pop, Pop, it's
alway a cow? Hey, Pop? What are you doing up on that
tree? Yeah? Come on downfrom up there where you're protecting us.
(21:37):
You say I got scared. Ididn't. Not, that's right you anyway.
I just climbed up to them tobe a lookout. Find out where
we are. Well, climb down, mister Riley. I want to go
home and get undrest and scratch.Okay, here right, come? No,
Pop, not that way. That'sno way to climb down a tree,
(22:00):
Julia, don't tell me anything aboutclimbing down. Free. You see
how this I climbed up? Mom? Mom? Where are your mom?
(22:23):
Oh? No, junior, where'syour father? Well? Now, don't
get excited, mom, Juli something'shappened. Where's your father? Not not,
don't worry, mom, He'll beall right, all right? Where
is he? You're bringing him in? Now? Bringing him? Who was
bringing him? The boys on astretcher? Oh? Oh, file right,
(22:47):
darling, darling, are y'all right? I'm okay, Peg, just
my acts brained. We bandaged it, and we also made this fetch her
out of branches and our jacket.Our scouts are always prepared for the worst,
and this was the worst. Oh, how did you ever get into
(23:10):
a mess like this? I couldn'thelp it. A wild bull chase me
down a tree, rhyming. Dearyou better getting the bed. I'll be
(23:33):
finding this hit chair near the window. I'm okay. Oh, yes,
you're okay outside of a sprained ankle, a bed, cold and poison ivy
next time you stay home. Hey, did you know what you're saying?
Those boys wouldn't go without me?Why the four of us are the three
(23:53):
musketeers? You know, one forall and every man for himself. Peg,
Look, there's Junior and the boysup front. Porch. Open the
window, Peg, I want totalk to my path. Why your father,
of course, that's who. Listen, they're talking about me. So
(24:15):
next time they're going to high,don't bring no wed blanket. Yeah,
lead them home. We don't wantthe old fogies. If I got to
carry two hundred pounds a dead weightaround, I want to get paid.
He put the window down draft almost. Hey, guys, I think I
(24:37):
will get into bed. I ain'tfeeling so good. Oh now, Riley,
they're only boys. I don't youjust help me to the bed right
now? Rather be left alone?Well, all right, if you want
me, dear, I'll be inthe kitchen. What's the use give birth
(25:00):
to a son? You give thebest years of your life, Then what
do you get in the end?Poison ivy? Who's that? Oh?
What are you doing here? Why? Why? Why aren't you with them?
Frenzy yours? They're no friends ofmine? Speakers or Junior? You
(25:23):
junior? Come over here? Where'dyou get that black guy? I fell
down? Junior Junior? You werefighting? Well, they had no rights.
You were fighting over me. Youstuck up for me. It was
on account of what they said.What did they say? Well, well
(25:45):
they said that you never mind.I'd rather not you son. You made
me the happiest father in the world. Here here's a dollar. Go on,
go out and have a good time. Oh thanks, Papa, I
just assume hang around and talk toyou. You would, are you sure?
(26:07):
Sure? Oh? Boy? DidJunior sit on his chair? No?
No, no, sitting on theedge of the bed. That way
would be closer to each other.Okay, Pae said Junior. Ah you
no, Junior. It's great tohave kids. Believe me, no father
should be without it. The Rileyswill be right back. But first,
(26:45):
a serious message to express for allwomen what we believe a great many American
women are thinking these days. We'veasked missus Riley's to step out of character
for a moment tonight. All right, Missus Riley, how are we women
going to take the present meat situation? Well, we'll take it right in
our stride, just as we've takenmore bonds, nurses aids, victory gardens
(27:08):
that salvage, paper salvage, andall the rest. Sure, it's no
fun to go to the store andmaybe not get the meat you want.
Sure it takes a little more ingenuityto transform a few pieces of meat into
a grand and glorious casserole which hitsthe spot with a hungry family. But
(27:29):
we've got what it takes to dothings like that. American women always have
had. Give us a few piecesof stew meats, some ground beef,
or some pork, liver, pigs, hawks, oxtails, or any of
the good sausage meats, and we'llturn out a bang up meat meal.
Or if we don't know how,we'll learn. No, the meat situation
(27:52):
isn't going to whip us. We'vegot something more important to whip. Thank
you, missus, Riley. Ithink you have said it for all American
women. All nutritional statements made aboutmeat on this program are accepted by the
Council on Foods and Nutrition of theAmerican Medical Association. Hello Randy Day,
(28:33):
Junior, where'd you get that blackguy? You see, mister Gills,
I o't tell you where he gota jillis my boy got that black eye
defending his father's good name. Someof the gangs said I was an old
fogy, But Junior made him takeit back, didn't you, Junior?
Yeah, I made him admit thatPop was only a middle aged bogy yet
(28:59):
j Follow The Life of Riley,starring William Bendix as Riley, and presented
(29:23):
by the American Meat Institute. Nextweek at the same time. Next week,
Riley has a falling out with hiswife and lands on his face.
Don't miss it. William Bendix appearsby arrangement with Hal Roach. The Life
of Riley was directed by Don Bernard, with music by Luke Oslaw. This
(30:06):
is Ken Niles in Hollywood, sayingsee you next week. A publican broadcasting police
Terry is Folks, a typical Americancitizen who last Thursday walked into the office
of the Internal Revenue Department, laidhis nineteen forty four income tax on the
desk, and said, oh myaching back. The American Meat Institute presents
William Bendix in the Life of Riley. The meat people of America providing a
(00:40):
great food for a great nation.Five million farmers and ranchers raising fine meat
animals, six hundred thousand men andwomen in more than three thousand, five
hundred meat packing plants, four hundredthousand meat retailers, all going their level
best in face of the enormous demandsof war. To put meat on your
table. On behalf of all these, The American Lead Institute brings you the
(01:03):
Life of Riley well Chester. ARiley, California war worker, is a
pretty contented man. He has agood job, a patient wife, a
pretty daughter, and a fine son. But every once in a while he
(01:26):
suffers. His only parents, whoare completely devoted to their children, can
suffer. For example, it's morningand Riley's son Junior catches Riley about to
leave for work. Well, say, Pop, there's something I want to
ask your Sorry Junior, no morenickels. They froze my salary. I'm
freezing your allowance. Oh isn't itthat, Papa? It's should save it?
(01:48):
So tonight, Junior, I gotno time. Now I'll be laid
for work. You'll only take aminute. I want to ask your permission
to do something well making a snappysend? Oh can I quit school and
go to work? For sure?Time? You want? Good bye?
Now? Gee? What did yousay? Oh? No, I said,
can I quit school? Quit school? Are you out of my mind?
(02:13):
I never heard of such a crazything? Why should you quit school?
Oh? Why should I go toschool? I asked you first?
Well, I'm sick of school andI want to go to work. I
know some pills who are knocking downa sixty bucks a week, so can
I? How can you make sixtybucks a week when I'm only making fifty
(02:34):
two seventy four? Are you smarterthan me? Wow? Never mind?
That ain't the point anyway. Butgee, look, Poppy, if I
want to work now, I canhelp with the rent on the house here.
And I don't need to help withthe rent. I can stall the
landlord by myself. But sixty dollarsa week sixty dollars a week. You
(02:59):
will graduate form in college and makea hundred bucks a month. This is
the land of Gee. You don'tunderstand, Pop. You're the one who
don't understand someny. Why do youthink I'm working so hard to give you
opportunities that my father couldn't give me? What? Pop? Sixty bucks?
So how many times have I toldyou that money ain't everything? Junior?
(03:21):
A man with ten million dollars,there's no happier than a man with nine
millions. But Pop, I don'twant to discuss it no more. And
I'll go to school and study.All right, I'll go, But I'm
not sold on the idea money,money, money, always taking a money
the image of his mother. Oh, nobody, just myself. That's why
(03:46):
I got the last word, Peg. What do you think Junior wants to
quit school and go to work.Oh, don't worry about that. There's
always something going on the boy's head. You ought to know you were a
boy once. You tell when Iwas a boy, there was nothing going
on in my I mean, Inever thought of working, you know what
(04:10):
I mean? You make your best? Okay, raising kids is one headache
after another. Believe me, Pegg. It's no job for a married man
with responsibilities. Hey, Riley,lunch I was almost over. Why don't
(04:34):
you eat? Don't bother me,Gillis, I'm thinking with my brain.
I just stick to your own ragget. That's my boy, Junior. Sometimes
I just can't understand that kid.I bet you had the same trouble with
your egg bite. Huh Na.Never, I don't have no trouble figuring
out my egg bite trouble with you, Riley. You ain't close enough to
(04:58):
Junior. I went close to himwith the small rooms we got in our
house. No, no, Idon't mean that. I mean being a
companion to a kid like I amwith Egwait, every three minute I got,
I spent on agly or life.I did do the same with Junior.
Early. I ain't got no freetime, no time. What about
(05:23):
Sunday afternoon? Well, after all, Sunday afternoon, I got to go
to the BPLA LA. Yeah,my club, the Brooklyn Patriots of Los
Angeles. I gotta hang around there. I'm the treasurer. And that the
members wouldn't feel right unless they couldkeep an eye on me. Riley.
(05:45):
It's obviously to me that you andJunior a practically strangest. We are not
Why why Junior and me? Wego everywhere? Last week I took him
to see Paul Whiteman. The weekbefore I took him to see Frank Sinatra.
We've been through thicker offend together.Okay, so he lets you treat
(06:09):
him to a show that don't proveno emotional appache. I'm just as close
to my boy as you are theEggbert. We're real pals. We're insufferable.
Okay, you are, then,no doct He invited you to the
hikes something You'll bet your life you'rehi? What y They see Junior and
(06:31):
egg Bite and a couple of theirfriends is going on a hike. This
sent my egg Bite invited me togo along. Of course I gotta wait,
But you're Junior didn't invite you tomy kids strung enough to carry his
own lunch. Stop kidding yourself.Junior ain't gonna invite you. And there's
(06:54):
only one reason you and the boyis dripped in apart, and it's your
fault. You're neglecting your paternal dutyas a father. Oh yeah, you'll
see, Junior is going to fightme to that hike. You'll see the
kind of a father I am.I can be just as infernal as you
are. I think I'm home.Oh, Riley, you're early. Now
(07:26):
he can go to the movie.Ah no, not to night Dublin.
No, you'll have to go withoutme. I got something more important to
do. I'm I'm spending the eveningwith my son for a change. Oh
well that's fine, dear, youdo spend so little time with him.
Yeah, well, things are goingto be different now I'm Junior's father,
and from now on I'm taking arap for it. Well, we don't
(07:48):
mind if I go without you.No, no, me and Junior are
gonna fload the front. I'm gettingclose to that boy starting this minute.
But you'll have to wait a littlewhile he's in the bathtub. Now.
Hello, Oh, hold on,mu what's new? No kidding? You
(08:09):
got two tickets ringside? Who's fighting? Oh hey, that's a great match.
Ye I'd like to see that.Yeah. Besides, it will be
a great chance to breathe in somecigarette smoke. Yeah, you bet your
life, i'd like that. Ohno, wait a minute, mutely,
(08:33):
No, No, I can't go. No, no, I gotta stay
in tonight and get close to myboy. All right, I'm nuts,
but I happen to enjoy it now. I want thanks anyway, Muley Junior,
Oh Junior? Oh h h yourjunior old son o? Pop?
(08:54):
Goodbye, Pope, goodbye Junior.Wait a minute, where are you going?
Oh? Tonight is Friday and Igot an important date Pop, oh
with Marilyn Morris. Oh you're you'rea girl. But I was sort of
planning I'm staying in tonight night.Thought the dude to stay in the house
too alone. What do you meanalone? I'm here right? I oh,
(09:18):
yeah, I know, but you'remy father. I mean I think
I know what you mean? CanI go now? Yeah, you can
go? Okay, good night,Pop. I couldn't wait till he got
away from me. Treats me likethe plague. What am I a leopard?
(09:50):
Oh? The whole Pop? Whatare you doing home on a Saturday
night? He stayed in last nightand this is your bawling night. I
feel like bowling. Well, don'tlet me keep your goodbye, Junior.
Oh goodbye, I'm not going anywhere. You're not well? Then, Oh,
(10:11):
there's something I wanted to talk toyou about. Oh that's well,
say oh, it's something important.Go ahead, son, asked me.
What's on your mind? Come well, I don't think you'll do it.
Oh I'll do it. Don't youworry about that. I'll do it.
Go on, ask me, willyou let me thirty cents? You'll better,
I'll go hiking with you. I'llbe up early making thirty cents.
(10:35):
That what you asked me before?Yes? What for? Well, if
I have thirty cents, I wouldn'thave to stay home to night. I
can go the Hollies. Oh yousaid you'd say yes for sure, Sure
I will. I'll do better toan, I'll give you sixty cents,
and then you can take someone withyou, someone that's close to you.
(10:58):
Oh, sure that'd be well.Yeah, but mom saw the picture.
Well there are other members of thefamily. Oh but Baptis isn't here,
so I can't take her. Junior, you're running out a relative. Eventually
you will have to get down tome. Oh did you want to call
(11:18):
Pop only if you want me,I don't mind. Oh thanks, Junior,
that's real big of you. Ohyeah, Papa miss the nosery anyod
time. Oh you know, it'sgreat to be walking along like this with
(11:39):
your own son son tonight I feelreal close to you. Well, would
you mind moving over a pocket pushingme off the curb? Oh excuse me.
Oh, it's a great night.Look at that sky, just filthy
with stars. Well, that meansit'll be a nice antimarrow. Yeah,
great day for taking a walk.No, I love walking in a good
(12:01):
fresh air, A good long hike. That's for me. I should do
more of it. Whoa, hey, I got an idea you have,
Junior. Watch don't take the busto work every morning. Walk Well,
I mean walking in the open country. Boy. Oh, I love hiking.
I'd walk a mile for a hike. Oh, me and a gang
(12:24):
are going on a hike tomorrow.Really, Hey, you know what I
think? That's Maryland over there.Yeah it is Maryland. Say Marilyn hello,
Junior, Hello, mister Riley,good bye Marylyn. Come on,
Junior. Well you see Maryland.Go on, Junior, I'm not stopping
you. Well, I mean Iwant if you think it's all right to
(12:46):
practically snub you fiance in the street, go on, feeyance Mariland. You're
only twelve twelve and a half.Oh excuse me, madam, I see
no reason to conceal the fact thatJunior and I are planning to get married.
(13:09):
Is the wedding tonight? Oh no, it's June night, nineteen fifty
three. Oh cut it out,Maril Mount. Junior, you got the
nineteen fifty three enjoy your freedom?Were you going somewhere special? Look,
(13:30):
Marily, it's customary before the weddingfor the groove to have a bachelor party.
This is it? Count Junior wouldbe late for the feature to Oh
are you going to the movie?I just love movies. Why don't you
come on with Oh, mister Riley, thanks for asking me. You were
(13:54):
going to ask me, weren't you. Yeah? Yes, Junior took the
words right out of my mouth.He also put them in there. Well,
come on, I'll get the tickets. Three please, three two adults
and a child's ticket from my daughterin law to be okay, come on
(14:16):
kids? See looks crowded, Papa. I hope I can get seen.
I'll leave it to me. Ohh usher, any seats all? We
have? Two? Wow? Comeon, Junior, not to sit down
from going for went? Yeah?Yeah, yeah, my my boy dad.
I want to see down single inthe balcony. The balcony, what
(14:39):
a revolting development. Stay away toyour left set. I'm sorry, you
can't get any closer to your boy. You're sorry. In a moment,
(15:01):
we'll rejoin Riley, who to fightfrustration, is going to become a peal
to his son or die in theattempt. In the meantime, this is
Can Niles reporting a war story fromthe South Pacific. It was following an
attack a few months ago, severalNavy task groups were gathered at an advanced
base, just a strip of coralbeach inhabited only by chameleons and wild chickens,
(15:22):
the latter descendants of chickens left thereby early sailing ships. Airmen,
marines, chaplains, officers in khakishirts, machinists, mates and seamen,
and dungarees were gathered there. Therewas no USO, no movies, but
for needed relaxation, these officers decidedon a good old fashioned American picnic and
(15:43):
stake roast. If the ship's suppliescould produce the stakes, they could and
did. Picnic sized pieces of frozen, boneless beef brought up from the refrigerator
rooms of the ships. Picnic tableswere improvised of palm tree logs, Fires
were built, and stakes were roastedbarbecue style, eaten with mustard on buns
baked aboard ship. And the navyman who told the story said, no
(16:06):
flamon at famous hotels ever tasted better. Neither your Quartermaster Corps nor your meat
industry set out boneless beef especially fora picnic, but we're mighty glad some
of it was used that way.The point is, whether it's picnics or
ration. Can fighters need the goodeating and good proteans of meat, and
the meat industry is doing its bestto supply all they need. Remember,
(16:32):
meat is a yardstick of protean foodsbecause meat measures up to every protean need.
And now back to the Life ofRiley with William Bendix as Riley.
Riley has been trying, in hisown subtle way to get closer to his
son Junior and be a real fowlto him. So far he has failed
(16:56):
completely, but Riley hasn't given uphope. Right now we find him still
trying to get Junior to invite himon the hike. The Junior and his
friends have arranged. It's early morningof the day of the hike. What
are you doing in the kitchen soearly? Oh, good morning, Junior,
I'm I'm making some sandwiches for youand the boys for the hike.
(17:17):
Oh, I could have made himprobable. Why should you loose, Lee?
That's one of the pleasures of beinga father, losing sleep over his
son. Oh, thanks, Pop, you're a pal. I am a
great day for a hike, innocent. Sure, I better get a great
kick out of a hike if Iwasn't such an old man. Jee,
Pop, you're not too old andgo on a high. You mean you
(17:40):
want me to go with you?Well, I of course. If you
don't want me, or you gottado is say no. Don't be afraid
to hurt my feelings, Pop,I don't want to hurt your feelings.
I'd like you to come with Okay, Junior, you taught me into it.
Thanks, thanks frisking me. Thanksa minute, Junia, stop kissing
(18:00):
me. There's a gang now,Okay, Junior, let's go. Old
side kicks getting late? Oh hidbye? Wali, Hi Junior, Hello,
Junior, let's go good bye.Wait, wait, fellas, I'm
coming with you? What what that'sright? Fellas? My father's coming.
(18:25):
You mean just to the street,No, all the way on the hike,
on the hike. That's right,gang, mister Riley. Don't you
have to work today? Don't youhave a club maten? No, sir,
you mean you've got nothing to dotoday, a grown man like you.
No. So let's go like wesay in the frozen North mush marching
(18:48):
alone to gidther tomorrow, fellas,fun of me marching alone to gid marching
(19:12):
along there, Hey, fallas,follow me? How can we? You're
a mile behind us? March long? Hey, fellas, Wait, wait,
(19:33):
fellas, how do you get acrossthis river? Step across on the
stone where? Oh oh, yeah, I see him at the stitch there
I come. Hey, oh ohoh oh go foo Junior. Hey wait,
(20:06):
brother's away from my father again withhis father. You had to pick
a turtle for a father. Cutoff those cracks? Hey, hey burn,
what are you scratching like that for? You know them flower as your
father made me pick? Yeah.Well, i'm getting poison ivy, poison
ivy, I'm getting. Oh,don't get excited, and seven years it'll
(20:27):
be gone. I'm just like that, Believe me, Junior. I raised
my old man different. When Igo out, he stays home. Here
he comes, not cut it outto jes you okay, Pa, Yeah,
okay, listen, boys, youbetter rest, you catch your breath.
(20:49):
We're okay, Daniel boone of courseif you can't take it, who
can't take it? Don't don't don'twork, he'd put me. Then let's
go. It'll be dark. We'vewait a minute. Over there by that
bush, that boom, a wildboot. He's gonna charge us. I
(21:11):
don't get take cover of boys,take over, protect you. I'll protect
you. Look out. He's comingat us. Pop, Pop, it's
alway a cow? Hey, Pop? What are you doing up on that
tree? Yeah? Come on downfrom up there where you're protecting us.
(21:37):
You say I got scared. Ididn't. Not, that's right you anyway.
I just climbed up to them tobe a lookout. Find out where
we are. Well, climb down, mister Riley. I want to go
home and get undrest and scratch.Okay, here right, come? No,
Pop, not that way. That'sno way to climb down a tree,
(22:00):
Julia, don't tell me anything aboutclimbing down. Free. You see
how this I climbed up? Mom? Mom? Where are your mom?
(22:23):
Oh? No, junior, where'syour father? Well? Now, don't
get excited, mom, Juli something'shappened. Where's your father? Not not,
don't worry, mom, He'll beall right, all right? Where
is he? You're bringing him in? Now? Bringing him? Who was
bringing him? The boys on astretcher? Oh? Oh, file right,
(22:47):
darling, darling, are y'all right? I'm okay, Peg, just
my acts brained. We bandaged it, and we also made this fetch her
out of branches and our jacket.Our scouts are always prepared for the worst,
and this was the worst. Oh, how did you ever get into
(23:10):
a mess like this? I couldn'thelp it. A wild bull chase me
down a tree, rhyming. Dearyou better getting the bed. I'll be
(23:33):
finding this hit chair near the window. I'm okay. Oh, yes,
you're okay outside of a sprained ankle, a bed, cold and poison ivy
next time you stay home. Hey, did you know what you're saying?
Those boys wouldn't go without me?Why the four of us are the three
(23:53):
musketeers? You know, one forall and every man for himself. Peg,
Look, there's Junior and the boysup front. Porch. Open the
window, Peg, I want totalk to my path. Why your father,
of course, that's who. Listen, they're talking about me. So
(24:15):
next time they're going to high,don't bring no wed blanket. Yeah,
lead them home. We don't wantthe old fogies. If I got to
carry two hundred pounds a dead weightaround, I want to get paid.
He put the window down draft almost. Hey, guys, I think I
(24:37):
will get into bed. I ain'tfeeling so good. Oh now, Riley,
they're only boys. I don't youjust help me to the bed right
now? Rather be left alone?Well, all right, if you want
me, dear, I'll be inthe kitchen. What's the use give birth
(25:00):
to a son? You give thebest years of your life, Then what
do you get in the end?Poison ivy? Who's that? Oh?
What are you doing here? Why? Why? Why aren't you with them?
Frenzy yours? They're no friends ofmine? Speakers or Junior? You
(25:23):
junior? Come over here? Where'dyou get that black guy? I fell
down? Junior Junior? You werefighting? Well, they had no rights.
You were fighting over me. Youstuck up for me. It was
on account of what they said.What did they say? Well, well
(25:45):
they said that you never mind.I'd rather not you son. You made
me the happiest father in the world. Here here's a dollar. Go on,
go out and have a good time. Oh thanks, Papa, I
just assume hang around and talk toyou. You would, are you sure?
(26:07):
Sure? Oh? Boy? DidJunior sit on his chair? No?
No, no, sitting on theedge of the bed. That way
would be closer to each other.Okay, Pae said Junior. Ah you
no, Junior. It's great tohave kids. Believe me, no father
should be without it. The Rileyswill be right back. But first,
(26:45):
a serious message to express for allwomen what we believe a great many American
women are thinking these days. We'veasked missus Riley's to step out of character
for a moment tonight. All right, Missus Riley, how are we women
going to take the present meat situation? Well, we'll take it right in
our stride, just as we've takenmore bonds, nurses aids, victory gardens
(27:08):
that salvage, paper salvage, andall the rest. Sure, it's no
fun to go to the store andmaybe not get the meat you want.
Sure it takes a little more ingenuityto transform a few pieces of meat into
a grand and glorious casserole which hitsthe spot with a hungry family. But
(27:29):
we've got what it takes to dothings like that. American women always have
had. Give us a few piecesof stew meats, some ground beef,
or some pork, liver, pigs, hawks, oxtails, or any of
the good sausage meats, and we'llturn out a bang up meat meal.
Or if we don't know how,we'll learn. No, the meat situation
(27:52):
isn't going to whip us. We'vegot something more important to whip. Thank
you, missus, Riley. Ithink you have said it for all American
women. All nutritional statements made aboutmeat on this program are accepted by the
Council on Foods and Nutrition of theAmerican Medical Association. Hello Randy Day,
(28:33):
Junior, where'd you get that blackguy? You see, mister Gills,
I o't tell you where he gota jillis my boy got that black eye
defending his father's good name. Someof the gangs said I was an old
fogy, But Junior made him takeit back, didn't you, Junior?
Yeah, I made him admit thatPop was only a middle aged bogy yet
(28:59):
j Follow The Life of Riley,starring William Bendix as Riley, and presented
(29:23):
by the American Meat Institute. Nextweek at the same time. Next week,
Riley has a falling out with hiswife and lands on his face.
Don't miss it. William Bendix appearsby arrangement with Hal Roach. The Life
of Riley was directed by Don Bernard, with music by Luke Oslaw. This
(30:06):
is Ken Niles in Hollywood, sayingsee you next week. A publican broadcasting police
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