30 minute comedy/family sitcom episodes
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.
Purchase as a download, purchase as CD(s), or listen for free
All of our Old Time Radio Programs are in MP3 format. You can play them on your computer, you can transfer them to MP3 players (like the IPod), but, by and large, you cannot play them on stereos, walkmen, or car radios.
The sound quality of Old Time Radio Programs can vary greatly. Some episodes are excellent, others you have to turn up the volume a little and ignore the static. All of the episodes can be listened to and enjoyed. You can listen to our free samples to get a feel for how the programs sound.
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Episode List Set 1
LifeOfRiley___Lecture.mp3
LifeOfRiley_1943-07-25__NewHousePlans_Audition.mp3
LifeOfRiley_1944-01-16_0001_RileyPlansToBuildAHouse.mp3
LifeOfRiley_1944-04-09_0013_RileyIsBestDressedMan.mp3
LifeOfRiley_1944-04-30_0016_BaxterGoesToNewYork.mp3
LifeOfRiley_1944-10-29_0042_HalloweenHauntedHouse.mp3
LifeOfRiley_1944-11-05_0043_PianoLessonsForJunior.mp3
LifeOfRiley_1944-11-12_0044_BigFootballBet.mp3
LifeOfRiley_1944-11-19_0045_TurkeyHunt.mp3
LifeOfRiley_1944-12-03_0047_MostPopularBoy.mp3
LifeOfRiley_1944-12-10_0048_RileysMashNoteAtNightSc.mp3
LifeOfRiley_1944-12-17_0049_TheChristmasPresent.mp3
LifeOfRiley_1944-12-24_0050_RoswellsAGuestForChristm.mp3
LifeOfRiley_1945-01-07_0052_SilverGlovesBoxingTourney.mp3
LifeOfRiley_1945-01-14_0053_TheWeddingAnniversary.mp3
LifeOfRiley_1945-01-21_0054_RileysConscienceBothersHi.mp3
LifeOfRiley_1945-02-25_0059_RileyHelpsLuigiPassEnglis.mp3
LifeOfRiley_1945-03-04_0060_ExpectantFathers.mp3
LifeOfRiley_1945-03-11_0061_JuniorRunsAway.mp3
LifeOfRiley_1945-03-18_0062_RileyTriesToBecomeAPalT.mp3
LifeOfRiley_1945-03-25_0063_MissingFiveDollars.mp3
LifeOfRiley_1945-05-13_0069_RileysMother-in-lawVisits.mp3
LifeOfRiley_1945-09-08_0077_LayOffs.mp3
LifeOfRiley_1945-09-15_0078_FeudWithNeighborNewNeighb.mp3
LifeOfRiley_1945-10-20_0083_PegsOldBoyfriendSydney.mp3
LifeOfRiley_1945-11-24_0088_BabsAndSimon-Married.mp3
LifeOfRiley_1945-12-01_0089_BPLALodgeElection-Phonogr.mp3
LifeOfRiley_1945-12-08_0090_RileyTakesJobPromotionExa.mp3
LifeOfRiley_1945-12-15_0091_GrandmasBoyFriend.mp3
LifeOfRiley_1946-02-02_0098_SchoolPlay.mp3
LifeOfRiley_1946-03-09_0103_BabsMusicScholarship.mp3
LifeOfRiley_1946-03-16_0104_RileyBuysAnInsurancePolic.mp3
LifeOfRiley_1946-04-13_0108_RileyThinksJuniorIsAShop.mp3
LifeOfRiley_1946-04-27_0110_GamblingDoesntPay.mp3
LifeOfRiley_1946-05-18_0113_PlayingHookey.mp3
LifeOfRiley_1946-05-25_0114_JuniorSellsPeanutsAtTheC.mp3
LifeOfRiley_1946-06-01_0115_TheRileyFamilyOfActors.mp3
LifeOfRiley_1946-06-08_0116_TheBreadShortageAndTheBl.mp3
LifeOfRiley_1946-06-15_0117_ANewSuitForFathersDay.mp3
LifeOfRiley_1946-06-29_0119_PaperRouteSubscriptionCont.mp3
LifeOfRiley_1946-09-07_0121_ThePaperRouteContest.mp3
LifeOfRiley_1946-09-14_0122_RileyDoesntWantPegToWor.mp3
LifeOfRiley_1946-09-21_0123_RileyHidesOnBoatToCatch.mp3
LifeOfRiley_1946-09-28_0124_RileyBribesJuniorToWinFo.mp3
LifeOfRiley_1946-10-05_0125_GoodNeighborWeek.mp3
LifeOfRiley_1946-10-19_0127_RileySuesTheBusCompany.mp3
LifeOfRiley_1946-10-26_0128_RileyGetsAJobInSouthAme.mp3
LifeOfRiley_1946-11-02_0129_PegAndRileyBothRunForPa.mp3
LifeOfRiley_1946-11-09_0130_EgbertAndJuniorGoToBoyS.mp3
LifeOfRiley_1946-11-23_0132_RileyFootballHeroForThe.mp3
LifeOfRiley_1946-11-30_0133_RileyGetsFreeMedicalAdvic.mp3
LifeOfRiley_1946-12-28_0137_NewYearsEve10DatesFor.mp3
LifeOfRiley_1947-01-11_0139_EfficiencyExpert.mp3
LifeOfRiley_1947-01-18_0140_RileyAndSimonBusinessPar.mp3
LifeOfRiley_1947-01-25_0141_RileysHoneymoon.mp3
LifeOfRiley_1947-02-01_0142_MrXRileySwitchedAsABa.mp3
LifeOfRiley_1947-02-08_0143_RileysBirthdayForgotten.mp3
LifeOfRiley_1947-03-15_0148_SimonIsAdviceToTheLovelorne.mp3
LifeOfRiley_1947-03-22_0149_RileyTheMilkman.mp3
LifeOfRiley_1947-03-29_0150_RileyTheGentlemanNewCha.mp3
LifeOfRiley_1947-04-05_0151_RileyTheChildBeater.mp3
LifeOfRiley_1947-04-12_0152_RealLifeSoapOpera`marria.mp3
LifeOfRiley_1947-04-19_0153_RileyTheBoxerJuniorTh.mp3
LifeOfRiley_1947-04-26_0154_SimonTheWaiterBlackmails.mp3
LifeOfRiley_1947-05-03_0155_LaunchingBabsInSociety.mp3
LifeOfRiley_1947-05-10_0156_ModelSonTheMothersDayS.mp3
LifeOfRiley_1947-05-31_0159_TheAccidentInsurancePolicy.mp3
LifeOfRiley_1947-06-07_0160_RileyCourtsPegAtSummerCa.mp3
LifeOfRiley_1947-06-14_0161_JuniorWinsTheSoapBoxDerb.mp3
LifeOfRiley_1947-06-28_0163_RileyAndGillisSpendAWeek.mp3
LifeOfRiley_1947-07-05_0164_RileyThinksPegIsLeavingH.mp3
LifeOfRiley_1947-09-06_0165_RileyEnrollsAtInsteadOf.mp3
LifeOfRiley_1947-09-13_0166_BabsHasTwoDates.mp3
LifeOfRiley_1947-09-20_0167_JuniorWantsToRunAwayFrom.mp3
LifeOfRiley_1947-09-27_0168_VenusWithARadioInHerSto.mp3
LifeOfRiley_1947-10-04_0169_RileyGetsAPromotion.mp3
LifeOfRiley_1947-10-11_0170_RileyTheCop.mp3
LifeOfRiley_1947-10-18_0171_TheCommunityChestDrive.mp3
LifeOfRiley_1947-10-25_0172_TheRagamuffinBall.mp3
LifeOfRiley_1947-11-01_0173_TheFootballPoolCard.mp3
LifeOfRiley_1947-11-08_0174_JuniorAndBabsPutOnAnnive.mp3
LifeOfRiley_1947-11-15_0175_RileyInSchoolPlay.mp3
LifeOfRiley_1947-11-22_0176_WinABuickContest.mp3
LifeOfRiley_1947-11-29_0177_ThanksgivingWithTheGillise.mp3
LifeOfRiley_1947-12-06_0178_TheGreatestManIKnow.mp3
LifeOfRiley_1947-12-13_0179_BabsIsBlackBalledAtTheSo.mp3
LifeOfRiley_1947-12-27_0181_FamilyChristmasPresent.mp3
LifeOfRiley_1948-01-03_0182_RileyGetsJuniorTwoDatesF.mp3
LifeOfRiley_1948-01-10_0183_WomensEqualRights.mp3
LifeOfRiley_1948-01-17_0184_TheTelephoneIsRationed-W.mp3
LifeOfRiley_1948-01-24_0185_BabsQuitsSchool.mp3
LifeOfRiley_1948-01-31_0186_UncleBaxterReturns.mp3
LifeOfRiley_1948-02-07_0187_FatherAndSonBanquet.mp3
LifeOfRiley_1948-02-14_0188_RileySendsPegAComicValen.mp3
LifeOfRiley_1948-02-21_0189_RileyLiesToPegAboutGoing.mp3
LifeOfRiley_1948-02-28_0190_BabsSweetSixteenBirthdayP.mp3
LifeOfRiley_1948-03-13_0192_TheMonkey.mp3
Episode List Set 02
LifeOfRiley_1948-03-27_0194_TheGiantEasterBunny.mp3
LifeOfRiley_1948-04-03_0195_RileyTheCrimeBuster.mp3
LifeOfRiley_1948-04-10_0196_PegStudiesFrench.mp3
LifeOfRiley_1948-04-24_0198_SpringFever.mp3
LifeOfRiley_1948-05-01_0199_JuniorsBaseballUniform.mp3
LifeOfRiley_1948-05-08_0200_RileysMothersDayGiftIs.mp3
LifeOfRiley_1948-05-15_0201_RileyManOfDistinction.mp3
LifeOfRiley_1948-05-22_0202_MonahanSpendsWeekendWithT.mp3
LifeOfRiley_1948-05-29_0203_CooperationPicnic.mp3
LifeOfRiley_1948-06-12_0205_BabsGraduation.mp3
LifeOfRiley_1948-06-19_0206_FathersDay-Bathrobes.mp3
LifeOfRiley_1948-09-03_0209_RileyMeetsClemKadiddlehopp.mp3
LifeOfRiley_1948-09-10_0210_TheHoseholdDrudge.mp3
LifeOfRiley_1948-10-08_0214_HowToPickAMate.mp3
LifeOfRiley_1948-10-15_0216_RileyCampaigns.mp3
LifeOfRiley_1948-10-22_0215_TheProblemChild.mp3
LifeOfRiley_1948-10-29_0217_RileyAndTheAardvark.mp3
LifeOfRiley_1948-11-19_0220_Father-in-lawTrouble.mp3
LifeOfRiley_1948-11-26_0221_BabsElderlyBoyfriend.mp3
LifeOfRiley_1948-12-03_0222_RileyTriesToGetFootballT.mp3
LifeOfRiley_1948-12-10_0223_RileysJiltedSisterVisits.mp3
LifeOfRiley_1948-12-17_0224_RileyAndMrsMorrisBuysA.mp3
LifeOfRiley_1948-12-24_0225_ChristmasBonusesFromMrSte.mp3
LifeOfRiley_1949-01-07_0227_RileyCoachesJuniorsBasket.mp3
LifeOfRiley_1949-01-14_0228_RileyGetsAJobInArabia.mp3
LifeOfRiley_1949-01-21_0229_RileysOldFlameBertha.mp3
LifeOfRiley_1949-01-28_0230_AQuietEveningByTheFiresi.mp3
LifeOfRiley_1949-02-04_0231_RileyTalksInHisSleepAbou.mp3
LifeOfRiley_1949-02-11_0232_BabsElopesSellsCardsWith.mp3
LifeOfRiley_1949-02-18_0233_AValentineLocketFromMonah.mp3
LifeOfRiley_1949-03-04_0235_TheRileysAreGuestsOfUni.mp3
LifeOfRiley_1949-03-11_0236_WeddingPhotograph.mp3
LifeOfRiley_1949-03-25_0238_BabsRunsForUclaPresident.mp3
LifeOfRiley_1949-04-01_0239_RileyWontLetPegHelpJuni.mp3
LifeOfRiley_1949-04-08_0240_RileyIsHeldUp.mp3
LifeOfRiley_1949-04-22_0242_RileyBreaksAVaseWithHis.mp3
LifeOfRiley_1949-04-29_0243_RileyGoesToWarAfterReadi.mp3
LifeOfRiley_1949-05-06_0244_BabsLeavesHome-3rdRiley.mp3
LifeOfRiley_1949-05-13_0245_GillisAndRileyAreLownsome.mp3
LifeOfRiley_1949-05-20_0246_JuniorHasHisOwnDeliveryB.mp3
LifeOfRiley_1949-05-27_0247_JuniorAndEgbertLeaveForC.mp3
LifeOfRiley_1949-10-14_0249_TheGeigerCounter.mp3
LifeOfRiley_1949-10-21_0250_ThePolicemanBoarder.mp3
LifeOfRiley_1949-10-28_0251_ATelevisionSetOnA10Day.mp3
LifeOfRiley_1949-11-04_0252_TheExpectantFather.mp3
LifeOfRiley_1949-11-11_0253_TheCommunityChestDrive.mp3
LifeOfRiley_1949-11-18_0254_TheEscortBureau.mp3
LifeOfRiley_1949-12-02_0256_RileyTheBookie.mp3
LifeOfRiley_1949-12-09_0257_BabsAndTheStevensonsNeph.mp3
LifeOfRiley_1949-12-30_0260_RileyDrivesACabForBabs.mp3
LifeOfRiley_1950-03-24_0272_CissiesMarriage.mp3
LifeOfRiley_1950-04-07_0274_MiracleOfTheBells.mp3
LifeOfRiley_1950-04-28_0277_RileyTheHamburgerKing.mp3
LifeOfRiley_1950-05-12_0279_ItsMothersDay.mp3
LifeOfRiley_1950-10-06_0287_SurprisePartyShow.mp3
LifeOfRiley_1950-10-20_0289_CollectionAgency.mp3
LifeOfRiley_1950-10-27_0290_RileyWantsANewStoveForA.mp3
LifeOfRiley_1950-11-03_0291_BabsElopement.mp3
LifeOfRiley_1950-11-10_0292_RileyWinsAHudsonGuessing.mp3
LifeOfRiley_1950-11-17_0293_TheRileysFirstDate.mp3
LifeOfRiley_1950-11-24_0294_RileyLocksUpBabsAfterStu.mp3
LifeOfRiley_1950-12-01_0295_RileysTroublesWithNewFor.mp3
LifeOfRiley_1950-12-08_0296_JuniorsLawnMowingCompany.mp3
LifeOfRiley_1950-12-15_0297_RileyTheCoward-PegGoesT.mp3
LifeOfRiley_1950-12-22_0298_TheRileysFirstBaby.mp3
LifeOfRiley_1951-01-05_0300_PegsFatherComesToVisit.mp3
LifeOfRiley_1951-01-12_0301_AnniversaryTiff-RileyPays.mp3
LifeOfRiley_1951-01-19_0302_ScoutmasterRiley-Housekeep.mp3
LifeOfRiley_1951-01-26_0303_TillieBoomer-RileyBecomes.mp3
LifeOfRiley_1951-02-02_0304_BabsBlackballedAtTheSoror.mp3
LifeOfRiley_1951-02-09_0305_CharlestonDanceLessonsWith.mp3
LifeOfRiley_1951-02-16_0306_RileysCaseOfNerves.mp3
LifeOfRiley_1951-02-23_0307_RileyHasTonsilitis.mp3
LifeOfRiley_1951-03-02_0308_LouellaStaysWithTheRileys.mp3
LifeOfRiley_1951-03-16_0309_RileyInstallsATimeClock.mp3
LifeOfRiley_1951-03-23_0310_BasketballGame-Bribe.mp3
LifeOfRiley_1951-03-30_0311_RileyTheRentCollector.mp3
LifeOfRiley_1951-04-06_0312_OldManRiley.mp3
LifeOfRiley_1951-04-13_0313_RileyTakesACivilServiceExam.mp3
LifeOfRiley_1951-04-20_0314_DidLouelaKissRileyInTheDark.mp3
LifeOfRiley_1951-04-27_0315_BabsWantsPrivacy.mp3
LifeOfRiley_1951-05-11_0317_RileyAndTheBlackChiffonN.mp3
LifeOfRiley_1951-05-18_0318_JuniorWinsTheSoapBoxDerb.mp3
