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"The Life of Riley" was originally a radio show starring William Bendix in the title role. It was so successful that Universal Studios decided to make a big-screen film once again starring Bendix as Chester Riley. But the Dumont Network ALSO wanted to make a weekly TV series...and because Bendix was already starring in the movie, they re-cast the role and now Jackie Gleason was Chester Riley! If this isn't confusing enough, the TV series wasn't originally well received...and eventually it was rebooted with Bendix once again in the lead!

In many ways, Chester Riley from this film reminded me of Ralph Kramden (played by Jackie Gleason on "The Honeymooners" and "The Jackie Gleason Show"). In fact, one of the plots to "The Honeymooners" is very similar to the one in this film. A guy the Riley's knew back when they used to live in Brooklyn contacts them. Chester hates the guy BUT he still invites him over for dinner--hoping to show this guy that Chester is living a better life. Of course, Monahan is rich and very successful and Riley spends much of their evening trying to look like a big man. And, after the evening concludes, Chester swears to his wife that he, too, will be a success and give her everything she wants. Just HOW is he going to do this? And, how is the boss' rotten son going to be part of this?

This is a thoroughly enjoyable film...and makes me want to see the TV series. Well written, well acted...and, most importantly, fun.

OUR ORIGINAL ENCOUNTER with THE LIFE OF RILEY was as an early to mid 1950's television series, and a very popular one at that. This was, in fact, our first experience with the on screen acting career of William Bendix. Naturally, the first is usually the most vivid and it wasn't until some time later that we realized that he had such an extensive resume in dramatic roles.

BEING BORN INTO that post World War II "Boomer" Generation, we knew nothing of RILEY having been a popular comedy on the radio. And to round out the spectrum, we've now seen this 1949 Universal feature film.

THE MOVIE WAS drawn from the radio show as the video, small screen version hadn't become a reality until that year and featured Jackie Gleason in the title role (that season only); due to contractual obligations of Mr.Bendix.

AS IS THE case with many adaptations from one medium to the screen, the very nature of single film creates a need for a major crisis or relatively earth-shaking event. This provides a beginning, middle and an end for the story. With a series, the operating word is episodic as the story of one week will be followed by another and another story which is unrelated to hat which went before; save for the continuity which is provided by the regular characters.

IN SUMMARY, WE much preferred Tom D'Andrea's interpretation of Gillis on television to that of James Gleason in the motion picture feature.

(THERE SCHULTZ, THAT should nail it for our reading public!)

William Bendix recreates the eponymous Chester A. Riley role that was featured in the successful radio show. Riley is hapless, clueless, full of pretense, always falling short of his own short-lived dreams.

In the film, the primary story revolves around the engagement of his daughter. A mistaken assumption is paired with a dishonest revelation to create what is actually a tragic circumstance, but we know this is a comedy, so the final reel unravels the falsehoods and reveals the happy truths.

Riley is a character you laugh at, but personally I feel rather sad for him. Perhaps he is a little too desperate and his life is so out of his control. Still, the story is meant to be light-hearted--a good-natured ribbing of a fool who always trips over his own intentions.

All production aspects of the film are average and the acting roles offer few opportunities to shine.

After several years on radio where instead of being a fine character player William Bendix was a star, the Life Of Riley made it to the big screen. The film is a far cry from Chester A. Riley's catch phrase of 'what a revoltin' development this is'. The characters that America loved on radio came to life on the big screen.

Bendix was so popular as the working class Riley who if at times was a bit thick dearly loved his family and they him and he strove always to get ahead. Like with so many it was shoveling against the tide, but working class America loved Chester A. Riley from Brooklyn and his transplanted family in southern California.

Where Riley worked on the assembly line at an aircraft factory where Mark Daniels the boss's son is giving competition to boy next door Richard Long for the hand of Babs Riley played by Meg Randall. Daniels has his own reason for wanting to get married and it ain't necessarily love.

Bendix is having some problems of his own. Visiting from out of town is Bill Goodwin the glad handing, fast talking guy Rosemary DeCamp almost married. Bendix feels so intimidated that he feels he has to put on a big front for Goodwin to show how successful he is. When he takes them to dinner at a French restaurant note how snooty the waiter is and also note those 1949 prices. Enough to make you cry.

The film is an extended version of the half hour radio, later television drama. That's no criticism I still wish ME TV or the TV Land channel would run those Life Of Riley comedies which I remember so well as a lad.

Chester A. Riley, working class hero, we salute you.

Amusing movie entry following up on the TLOR radio series. All the characters are present including daughter Babs, son Junior, wife Peg, buddy Gillis, and of course the inimitable Riley. And what a guffaw to be reminded of Digger O'Dell, "the friendly undertaker". With his graveyard voice and dead serious demeanor, he's a real hoot.

The plot's okay. Blue-collar guy Riley doesn't like it when Babs appears to be dating the boss's son. After all, the loyal worker's been bucking for a promotion for years, but to no avail thanks to the boss. Then when the headman finds out about the dating arrangement, guess who gets a big promotion. But at what cost, as new foreman Riley soon finds out. Too bad that the gangster subplot disrupts the generally amusing flow.

One thing to note is how clearly the Riley series reflects conditions of the 30's and 40's when working men were king. That's in contrast to the upward decade of the 50's when family drama reflected white-collar life in the suburbs, e.g. Father Knows Best, (1954-60). That earlier arrangement is especially reflected in this film's windup. Anyway, Babs is cute, Junior is energetic, Peg's supportive, and Riley's his usual amusing and obstreperous self. What a perfect piece of casting Bendix was. His homely mug is so unlike the slicker dads of later times.

For geezers like myself, the 90-minutes amounts to a fond trip down memory lane. And given half-a-chance, younger folks might find it a worthwhile change from exploding cars and gutter language.