William Bendix was Chester A. Riley in one of radios
great situation comedies…The Life of Riley. The show
initially aired on the Blue Network, later known as ABC,
from Jan 16, 1944 to June 8, 1945. It then moved to NBC
where it was broadcast from September 8, 1945 until June
29, 1951. Riley and his co-worker Gilles were wing riveters
at the fictional Cunningham Aircraft plant in California.
great situation comedies…The Life of Riley. The show
initially aired on the Blue Network, later known as ABC,
from Jan 16, 1944 to June 8, 1945. It then moved to NBC
where it was broadcast from September 8, 1945 until June
29, 1951. Riley and his co-worker Gilles were wing riveters
at the fictional Cunningham Aircraft plant in California.
Riley’s radio family included his wife Peg, played by
Paula Winslowe and their two children, daughter Babs,
who was played by various actors, and a son named
Jr. played by Tommy Cook. The most memorable
character was Digby (Digger) O’Dell the “Friendly
Undertaker” portrayed by actor John Brown who
also was Gilles. The series made the transition to
Television in 1949 on NBC.
Paula Winslowe Tommy Cook & William Bendix.
