"The Life of Riley" (1953) TV series 1953-1958

Writers:

Richard Baer (writer)
Groucho Marx (story)

Seasons:

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

Release Date:

2 January 1953 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy

Plot:

Riley worked in an aircraft plant in California, but viewers usually saw him at home, cheerfully disrupting...

Plot Keywords:

Airplane | Factory Worker | Based On Radio Series | Teenage Boy | Sitcom

Cast

William Bendix

...

Chester A. Riley (217 episodes, 1953-1958)

Runtime:

30 min (212 episodes)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Company:

National Broadcasting Company (NBC)

Trivia:

The character 'Chester Riley' was ranked #30 in TV Guide's list of the "50 Greatest TV Dads of All Time" (20 June 2004 issue).

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "My Favorite Martian: Martin's Revoltin' Development (#3.18)" (1966)

It's A Wonderful Life for the Life of Reilly ****

William Bendix and Marjorie Reynolds provided the right chemistry for the television comedy hit, "The Life of Reilly."

Bendix was sort of an Archie Bunker without the bigotry in this show. Marjorie Reynolds,who left motion pictures, to pursue this show, was the perfect foil for Riley's trials and tribulations. Their wonderful children Babs and Junior always figured well in the various plots. The goal of the show was to show that you just can't win.

What perfect casting for the next door neighbors Jim and Honeybee. Tom D'Andrea and Joan Blondell's sister, Gloria, fit the bill perfectly. James Gleason would sometimes appear as Riley's cantankerous but yet good natured dad.