ComicWeb Old Time Radio
Program: Life of Riley
Episode: Piano Lessons for Junior
Original Airdate: 11/05/1944
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Episode Summary:
After hearing how Gillis’ kid is a whiz on the piano Riley tries to convince his son, Junior, to take piano lessons. “You can’t put off til tomorrow what your father makes you do today.” However, Junior convinces Egbert, Gillis’ son, to play while Junior goes off to practice football. Egbert plays wonderfully, Riley, hearing the beautful music naturally assumes Junior is a prodigy. Riley decides to enter Junior into a piano playing contest. It turns out that Egbert is entered in the same contest. Wild hijinx ensue that include a box of chocolates, a girl, betrayal, and a father/son talk.
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Program Summary:
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.
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