The Life of Riley's television history has two separate incarnations, one more successful than the other. Likewise, there were two radio versions under that title, but the first had no connection with any other series by that name. Go figure.
Irving Brecher was the producer at the helm of the definitive radio Riley, which starred William Bendix as Chester Riley, the prototype for the blustery blue collar types to follow, from Ralph Kramden to Archie Bunker to Al Bundy. The series was spun off into a feature film in 1949. That same year, Riley transitioned to television, but Bendix, a contract performer with RKO, had a scheduling conflict, and so, another future legend, Jackie Gleason, starred in the first video Riley, which lasted a year. Again, go figure.
The Life of Riley returned in 1953, with Bendix back as Chester Riley, joined by Marjorie Reynolds, whom you might remember from the Mr. Wong movies in the 30's, as wife Peg. This version aired in syndication during the 70's and/or 80's, I think, airing on WOR in New York. Not sure about the Gleason series, which we will cover another time.
Anyway, as we look in on the Rileys, they are about to take a vacation........
Rating: B.
2 comments:
I've never seen the show though I had heard of it - and yes it DID air on WWOR back in the day.
Funny you should mention Al Bundy. Bendix and Ed O'Neill do seem a lot alike in their voice infections and mannerisms.
My dad remembered Gleason as the first TV Riley, but even after losing the first season, he had entertainment greatness awaiting him. I don't think the Gleason eps aired in syndication.
I was far more familiar with Bendix for his big screen work.
Gleason's version, I think, is also available on YouTube and Internet Archive, which is where I found this 1953 episode. I wasn't sure if it had been syndicated.
To think that Bendix coined a phrase most kids would associate with the Fantastic Four's Thing: "What a revoltin' development this is!".
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