Riveter Chester A. Riley (Jackie Gleason, "The Honeymooners") is at the clinic of his workplace, Stevenson Aircraft, after swallowing a tiny fish bone. Doctor H. Harvey (western character actor Harry Harvey) examines him to find nothing wrong, except his tonsils must come out. He returns home to his family as if he has a serious illness, causing concern for his wife Peg (Rosemary DeCamp, "The Bob Cummings Show"), teen daughter Babs (minor Western actress Gloria Winters), and teen son Junior (Lanny Rees). Once finding out it is merely tonsil removal, they try to put him at ease with Peg suggesting he plays cards with neighbor and friend Jim Gillis (Sid Tomack). Jim tells that neighbor Mrs. Bennett (film noir character actress Marlo Dwyer) just came back from having her tonsils removed and they go to visit her for advice. In reality, she just had twins and she assumes Riley's wife is pregnant. The talk is predictably hilarious. Mrs. Bennett: "My husband can't wait to come home from work and play with them." After saying his goodbyes to his family he leaves for the hospital where the nurse (Marie Blake, Grandmama on "The Addams Family") tries to put him at ease. An emergency surgery throws the situation for a spin.
A very funny, engaging entry to the series with a relatable plot of man overreacting to an upcoming medical procedure.
"The Life of Riley" originated as a popular 40s radio show created by Irving Brecher for Groucho Marx, but sponsors didn't like the idea of his character being a straight man in the comedy. They turned to Brooklin-born "everyday man" William Bendix to play the lead role of Chester A. Riley and reformatted the show. In 1949, a feature film was made casting Bendix in his familiar role and produced by Brecher. Meanwhile, Brecher jumped to get the series on the air with NBC, with plans for Bendix to star in the television series as well. RKO stood firm with his picture contract, however, preventing him from doing the series. As such, audience favorite John Brown, as an undertaker named Digger O'Dell serving up droll puns on his profession, was the only original cast member to appear in the series (and also appeared in the film). Jackie Gleason had made a name for himself as a stand-up comedian in New York and worked as a minor supporting actor in films throughout the 40s. He was cast as Chester A. Riley for the series and developed the prototype for the blue collar television character, one later cemented by the character of "The Honeymooners" Ralph Kramden, also portrayed by Gleason. Riley was a good intentioned everyday man who could turn minor troubles into big ones. "The Life of Riley" aired as one of television's first sitcoms and was successfully despite only lasting 26 episodes due to a conflict with the sponsor. The show won television's very first Emmy Award (for "Best Film Made For and Shown on Television"). When NBC revived the show in 1953 they turned to Bendix who enjoyed a successfully six-season run. Influence from the series can be seen in shows such as 80s/90s hit "Married... With Children", with the lead everyday man character's delivery very similar to Riley and whose wives shares the same name (Peg). Additionally, the concept of a show opening with whistling pre-dates "The Andy Griffith Show" by 11 years.
A very funny, engaging entry to the series with a relatable plot of man overreacting to an upcoming medical procedure.
"The Life of Riley" originated as a popular 40s radio show created by Irving Brecher for Groucho Marx, but sponsors didn't like the idea of his character being a straight man in the comedy. They turned to Brooklin-born "everyday man" William Bendix to play the lead role of Chester A. Riley and reformatted the show. In 1949, a feature film was made casting Bendix in his familiar role and produced by Brecher. Meanwhile, Brecher jumped to get the series on the air with NBC, with plans for Bendix to star in the television series as well. RKO stood firm with his picture contract, however, preventing him from doing the series. As such, audience favorite John Brown, as an undertaker named Digger O'Dell serving up droll puns on his profession, was the only original cast member to appear in the series (and also appeared in the film). Jackie Gleason had made a name for himself as a stand-up comedian in New York and worked as a minor supporting actor in films throughout the 40s. He was cast as Chester A. Riley for the series and developed the prototype for the blue collar television character, one later cemented by the character of "The Honeymooners" Ralph Kramden, also portrayed by Gleason. Riley was a good intentioned everyday man who could turn minor troubles into big ones. "The Life of Riley" aired as one of television's first sitcoms and was successfully despite only lasting 26 episodes due to a conflict with the sponsor. The show won television's very first Emmy Award (for "Best Film Made For and Shown on Television"). When NBC revived the show in 1953 they turned to Bendix who enjoyed a successfully six-season run. Influence from the series can be seen in shows such as 80s/90s hit "Married... With Children", with the lead everyday man character's delivery very similar to Riley and whose wives shares the same name (Peg). Additionally, the concept of a show opening with whistling pre-dates "The Andy Griffith Show" by 11 years.
