William Bendix in the title role, was a popular radio
situation comedy series of the 1940s that was adapted into a 1949
feature film and continued as a long-running television series during
the 1950s.
The show began as a proposed Groucho Marx radio series, The Flotsam
Family, but the sponsor balked at what would have been essentially
a straight head-of-household role for the comedian. Then producer
Irving Brecher saw Bendix as taxicab company owner Tim McGuerin
in the movie The McGuerins from Brooklyn (1942). The Flotsam Family
was reworked with Bendix cast as blundering Chester A. Riley, riveter
at a California aircraft plant, and his frequent exclamation of
indignation---"What a revoltin' development this is!"---became
one of the most famous catch phrases of the 1940s. The radio series
also benefited from the immense popularity of a supporting character,
Digby "Digger" O'Dell (John Brown), "the friendly undertaker."
Pabst Blue Ribbon beer was the show's longtime sponsor.
This collection of Life of Riley Greats includes 168
different shows and appearances for a total of 89+ hours of listening
enjoyment.
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