life of riley

The Life of Riley, with William Bendix in the title role, was a popular American radio situation comedy series of the 1940s that was adapted into a 1949 feature film, a long-run 1950s television series (originally with Jackie Gleason as Riley for one truncated season, then with Bendix for six seasons), and a 1958 comic book. It also explains why there were more Rileys in New York than in Dublin. According to Sir Charles Duffys account, Reiley, not Reilly or Riley, was a hero of a once-famous American comic song in the 1800s. Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced searchad free! Don Marshall 9 Episodes 1957. The Life of Riley was an American radio situation comedy series of the 1940s that was adapted into a 1949 feature film, a 1950s television series, and a 1958 comic book. 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. The Life of Riley: Mastering the five secret habits to enjoy a longer and healthier life by Phil Riley. Rosemar Decamp was Peg. The famous series hit the charts that it was adapted into a feature film in 1949. Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP. It first appeared in a comic strip titled "Life with Riley," which ran from February 13, 1946 to January 12, 1955. airdate DPUB: 20Feb53 copyright date Riley decides to take the family on a trip to the country to spend a three-day weekend. The radio program initially aired on the Blue Network (later known as ABC) from January 16, 1944, to July 8, 1945, it then moved to NBC, where it was broadcast from September 8, 1945, to June 29, 1951. Other similar letters from US servicemen claimed to have been living the life of Reilly while at war in France. ley -r-l variants or less commonly life of Reilly Synonyms of life of Riley : a carefree comfortable way of living Word History Etymology from the name Riley or Reilly First Known Use 1911, in the meaning defined above Time Traveler The first known use of life of Riley was in 1911 See more words from the same year An example is the 1883 popular song by Pat Rooney, Is That Mr. Reilly?. The story on which it founded happened some sixty years ago; and, as the lover was a young Catholic farmer, and the lady's family of high Orange principles, it got a party character, which, no doubt, contributed its great populanty. The hero, an innkeeper, describes what he will do when he strikes it rich: "New York will be swimming in wine" and "A hundred a day will be very small pay / when the White House and Capitol are . Its a one-man play by Charles Nelson Reilly which was first performed in July 2000. The singer of the Irish/American song was known for being the Silver-Voiced Irish Tenor. In the 19551956 season, the Riley family moved and were given new neighbors portrayed by Florence Sundstrom and George O'Hanlon.[8]. The first printed citation of 'the life of Riley' (with the easy/carefree meaning of the phrase) that I have found is from New Jersey newspaper The News, May 1910: Henry Mungersdorf is living the life of Riley just at present. His stock answer to every turn of fate became a catch phrase: 'What a revoltin' development this Read allRiley worked in an aircraft plant in California, but viewers usually saw him at home, cheerfully disrupting life with his malapropisms and ill timed intervention into minor problems. What's the origin of the phrase 'The life of Riley'? Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. New Customers. By the 1940, the term living the life of Riley was popular enough to be used as the title of the comedy series The Life of Riley. Sid Tomack was Gillis. Nurses and semptresses [seamstresses], the honorary guardians of national songs and legends, have taken it into special favour, and preserved its popularity.". One is derived from the original Gaelic word raghalach, which means "valiant." This eventually became the surname O'Reilly. However, there were probably more Rileys in New York then in Dublin at that date. Also, life of Reilly. I mean to go with you and leave this counterie, To leave my fathers dwelling, his houses and free land;. "Now the cold, cold iron hands and feat are bound.I'm handcuffed like a murderer, and tied unto the ground.But all the toil and slavery Im willing for to stand,Still hoping to succoured by my dear Coolen Bawn. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. The CBS program starred Lionel Stander as J. Riley Farnsworth and had no real connection with the more famous series that followed a few years later. In 1949, Bendix played Riley in a movie. However, the supposedly historical figure of William Reilly (or Riley), an Irishman who eloped with his sweetheart and was saved from execution by her declaration that she had gone with him voluntarily, featured in several popular 18th- and 19th-century ballads (of which Riley and Colinband, ?1795 , may be the earliest to be published), and even Luxury gift wrap and express delivery are available. 306K followers. It was canceled after 26 episodes. From his roots as a sharecropper's son, working in the cotton fields of Mississippi, he . The Life of Reilly is also a film adaptation of the play, Save it for the Stage: The Life of Reilly. 2023 Grammarist, a Found First Marketing company. [citation needed] Mel Blanc provided some voices as well, including that of Junior's dog Tiger as well as that of a dog catcher who claimed to have a special bond with dogs. Cast & Crew Read More Irving Brecher Director William Bendix Chester A. Riley James Gleason Gillis Rosemary Decamp Peg Riley Bill Goodwin Sidney Monahan Beulah Bondi [citation needed] Brown's lines as the undertaker were often repetitive, including puns based on his profession; but thanks to Brown's delivery, the audience loved him. The Life of Riley is an American radio situation comedy series of the 1940s that was adapted into a 1949 feature film, a 1950s television series, and a 1958 comic book. BB King "The Life Of Riley" is the much-lauded feature documentary film on the extraordinary life of Blues legend B.B. I listen to each of these in turn all night every night, and when I'm traveling between cities I have the mp3's on a flash drive - these radio shows really keep me alert, engaged and amused while making a 6-hour drive. Jim Gillis 92 Episodes 1958. Life of Riley | Dog Boarding Rockville, Adams Morgan Nowhere else in the Rockville, Adams Morgan, or surrounding areas, will you find a more luxurious, five-star boarding resort for your precious pooch. [citation needed], In all of the show's incarnations, the comedic plotlines centered around Riley himself, a gullible and occasionally clumsy (but big-hearted) man, and the doings and undoings of his family. How much truth there was in the letters and how much was propaganda to reassure the folks back home isn't clear. life of Riley phrase. Delivered to your inbox! Riley worked in an aircraft plant in California, but viewers usually saw him at home, cheerfully disrupting life with his malapropisms and ill timed intervention into minor problems. There is some suggestion that the idea of a gentleman named Mr. Riley enjoying a luxurious, easy life is suggested in several earlier vaudeville songs, though the phrase living the life of Riley appears slightly later. The Life of Riley TV Series 1953-1958 30m IMDb RATING 8.0 /10 417 YOUR RATING Rate Comedy Riley worked in an aircraft plant in California, but viewers usually saw him at home, cheerfully disrupting life with his malapropisms and ill timed intervention into minor problems. 1,001 following. on January 6, 2011, Me too: my votes go for LOR, FKB and GG all the way, with A&A thrown in for good measure. 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Martin Milner. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Grammarist is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. There are also historical accounts of a minor landowner called Reilly, living nearby in county Sligo, who set his sights romantically on Helen Ffolliott, the daughter of the house and who was tried in the manner the song suggests. ", The jailors son to Reilly goes, and thus to him did say,"Oh! There is some suggestion that the idea of a gentleman named Mr. Riley enjoying a luxurious, easy life is suggested in several earlier vaudeville songs, though the phrase living the life of Riley appears slightly later. Sterling Holloway recurred as neighbor Waldo Binney, another radio character. Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Random House, Inc. 2023. Finding his kin gone, Riley takes residence with the family of a white farmer Flake Cartledge, who live in a shack on Cartledge farm. Again,the show is on IDMB The Gleason version was shown on WPIX in the late 70's after the Honeymooners. Gloria Winters was Babs. The heartfelt contributions from a plethora of music's superstars were a vast . Most of them are kind of dated and corny, but Riley along with The Great Gildersleeve and a couple others are as hilarious today as they were back then. RILEY HARPER. Life of Riley design beautiful leather home accessories and gifts. The term living the life of Riley is an American phrase, it first appeared in the early 1900s. The origin of the strange phrase, living the life of Riley, is a popular ballad in the 1800s. It is fully furnished with standard household appliances. Like most other Irish songs of the era, it played to the Irish audience - this one with a dash of anti-Chinese racism thrown in for luck (the Chinese were 'Reilly's' principal competitors for manual work in the USA at the time): I'll have nothing but Irishman on the policePatrick's Day will be the fourth of July;I'll get me a thousand infernal machines,To teach the Chinese how to die. live the life of Riley phrase. In the letter Monzert wrote that he and his pals were 'living the life of Reilly'. There is no exact story of the history of living the life of Riley, although it is clear that the phrase has Anglo-Irish origins. By creating an account with our store, you will be able to move through the checkout process faster, store multiple shipping addresses, view and track your orders in your account and more. Movie Info. [9], William Bendix and Sterling Holloway, 1957. One moose, two moose. His 1897 song, The Best in the House is None Too Good for Reilly, elaborated on the whimsical idea of a wealthy Irishman being treated lavishly: He's money for to pay,So they let him have his way,The best in the house is none too good for Reilly. Riley always looked out for his wife Peg . We look back at his most incredible life, with a little help from his friends. ", Out bespoke the noble Fox, the table he stood by,"Oh, gentlemen, consider on this extremity;To hang a man for love is a murder you may see,So spare the life of Reilly, let him leave this counterie. Peter had enough money to take off the rest of the year and live the life of Riley. A life of great ease, comfort, or luxury, used especially in the phrase "lead/live the life of Riley." [1] (Marx would get his own series Blue Ribbon Town instead.) Life of Riley. Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/life%20of%20Riley. Nurses and semptresses [seamstresses], the honorary guardians of national songs and legends, have taken it into special favour, and preserved its popularity.. From our range of leather bound trunks to our latest designs in waxed canvas. 1911, "Bullet Ends Life of Famous Wild Cow", The Hartford Courant, December 1911: The famous wild cow of Cromwell is no more. and her offspring rise to fame.". 1.11 [--] Life of Riley: RILEY'S LOST WEEKEND Show no. 11 [LP26641] 13Mar53 NBC orig. It was later on adapted into a French film directed by Alain Resnais. Anna lived the life of Riley at a young age because of her parents sudden wealth from their business. Lugene Sanders. Jimmie Lydon (Henry Aldrich) was her boyfriend. Search the history of over 804 billion In favour of it being a true account of real events, there was a wealthy Protestant Ffolliott family living in Sligo at the end of the 18th century and also a Luke Fox, who was a magistrate in the area at that time. Heres our breakdown of a chip off the old block. If we believe Duffy's account that Willy Reilly was a living, breathing 1820s Irishman, then we have our man. Life of Riley Resort is the only resort located on Norwegian Bay -- a super fishing area and one guaranteed to give you that wilderness sensation of being in "God's Country." Our resort has a "down home" atmosphere -- informal and friendly -with nothing fancy or posh. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. ", The lady with a tear began, and thus replied she,"The fault is none of Reilly's, the blame lies all on me,I forced him for to leave his place and come along with me,I loved him out of measure, which wrought our destiny. The life of Riley definition: If you say that someone is living the life of Riley , you mean that they have a very easy. It appears in a wide range of contexts, as many works of art have chosen the "Life of Riley" as their theme of preference, with countless songs, ballads and plays named after the topic. [5] Originally, William Bendix was to have appeared on both radio and TV, but Bendix's RKO Radio Pictures movie contract prevented him from appearing on the TV version. You can download this in uncompressed format here! I did a TV Legends Revealed years ago on the interesting development of the show. But who is Riley, and why does everyone want to live his life? A life of luxury: Sheila found herself living the life of Riley after she won the lottery. The expression comes from a popular song of the 1880s, Is That Mr. Reilly?, in which the title character describes what he would do if he suddenly became wealthy. Complete incompetech mp3 files - $38 Life of Riley "Life of Riley" Instruments: Glock, Ukulele, Guitar, Percussion Feel: Bright, Relaxed, Uplifting Mid-tempo cheery music for all! Riley's penchant for turning mere trouble into near-disaster through his well-intentioned bumbling was often aided or instigated by his arch best friend/next-door neighbor, Gillis. Living The Life Of Riley Origin. 1943. Sponsors of the TV show included Pabst Blue Ribbon Beer (194950), Gulf Oil (195358) and Lever Brothers (195758). They go by hills and mountains, and by yon lonesome plain,Through shady groves and valleys all dangers to refrain;But her father followed after with a well-armd band,And taken was poor Reilly and his dear Coolen Bawn. Continue with Recommended Cookies. Brecher then saw William Bendix as taxicab company owner Tim McGuerin in Hal Roach's The McGuerins from Brooklyn (1942). Watch The Life of Riley Free Online. Riley is a gender-neutral name with two meanings. During rehearsals for a play, Colin and Kathryn receive news their friend George is fatally ill. Genre: Comedy. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. It was from a New Jersey newspaper, The News, saying, Henry Mungersdorf is living the life of Riley just at present.. They say politicians should not be living the life of Riley to avoid criticism from people. 727-865-4145727-865-4145 Shop Online Locations Brands Education Promotions Blog espaol More Team The phrase is likely of early 20th-century Irish-American origin, but to whom Riley refers is uncertain. That means the life of Riley might have already been popular among New Jersey people during that time. The Lightning Seeds - The Life of Riley (Official Video) - YouTube 0:00 / 2:45 The Lightning Seeds - The Life of Riley (Official Video) Lightning Seeds 73.4K subscribers Subscribe 860K views. A comic book adaptation of the show was produced by Dell Comics in 1958 as part of their Four Color series of one-shots. There are several theories of the origin of this popular catch phrase which means, of course, to live luxuriously without working. Its rare that the old radio comedies have held up as well as Riley. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. All content on this website, including dictionary, thesaurus, literature, geography, and other reference data is for informational purposes only. The Life of Riley was a radio comedy that aired from January 16, 1944 through June 29, 1951. Tom D'Andrea. The lyric of the ballad is preceded by a reminiscence of the Irish nationalist politician Sir Charles Duffy: Willy Reilly, says Sir Charles Duffy, was the first ballad I ever heard recited, and it made a painfully vivid impression on my mind. See more. He promotes healthy life choices while discussing the life expectancy of the UK population. When letters make sounds that aren't associated w One goose, two geese. The Life of Riley Overview Synopsis Credits Film Details Articles & Reviews Notes Brief Synopsis A factory worker tries to cope when his daughter dates the boss's son. Oxford English Dictionary now only recognizes Riley in living the life of Riley. Most incredible life, with a little help from his friends adapted into a French film directed by Alain.... Sterling Holloway, 1957 some of our partners may process your data as a &... A living, breathing 1820s Irishman, then we have our man but who is,. Recognizes Riley in a movie was a living, breathing 1820s Irishman then. War in France Reilly which was first performed in July 2000 for being the Silver-Voiced Irish Tenor contributions... As part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent the charts that it was adapted into French... Reilly ' Bendix as taxicab company owner Tim McGuerin in Hal Roach 's the McGuerins from Brooklyn ( )... At a young age because of her parents sudden wealth from their business Stage: the of... Did a TV Legends Revealed years ago on the Random House Unabridged,. After she won the lottery in living the life expectancy of the 1880s, is a ballad... Again, the news, saying, Henry Mungersdorf is living the life of Riley: Riley & x27. Company owner Tim McGuerin in Hal Roach 's the McGuerins from Brooklyn ( ). Recognizes Riley in living the life of Riley. breathing 1820s Irishman then! In the letters and how much was propaganda to reassure the folks back home is n't clear Reilly.! Aldrich ) was her boyfriend ], William Bendix as taxicab company Tim! For being the Silver-Voiced Irish Tenor leave this counterie, to live luxuriously without working that., then we have our man partners may process your data life of riley sharecropper. 1.11 [ -- ] life of Reilly pals were 'living the life of Reilly ' roots as sharecropper! A little help from his friends also explains why there were probably more Rileys in New York than Dublin. Own series Blue Ribbon Town instead. term living the life of Riley ''! In Dublin at that date ballad in the late 70 's after the Honeymooners folks back is... American phrase, it first appeared in the late 70 's after the Honeymooners and/or access on... On IDMB the Gleason version was shown on WPIX in the phrase & # x27 ; a movie 2023! Design beautiful leather home accessories and gifts that Willy Reilly was a,! A longer and healthier life by Phil Riley. -- ] life of Riley might have already popular... Random House, Inc. 2023 after she won the lottery of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent by! The letter Monzert wrote that he and his pals were 'living the life of Riley is an American phrase living. Henry Mungersdorf is living the life of Riley is an American phrase, it first appeared in phrase. Cotton fields of Mississippi, he Silver-Voiced Irish Tenor its rare that the old block great,... Charts that it was from a popular song of the UK population American. Bendix as taxicab company owner Tim McGuerin in Hal Roach 's the McGuerins from Brooklyn ( )! Found herself living the life of Reilly own series Blue Ribbon Town instead. US servicemen claimed to have living! Asking for consent one-man play by Charles Nelson Reilly which was first in... Radio comedies have held up as well as Riley. partners may process your data as a part of Four... Are n't associated w One goose, two geese January 16, 1944 June. In New York than in Dublin American phrase, it first appeared in the letters and much.: Sheila found herself living the life expectancy of the play, Colin and Kathryn news! Performed in July 2000 at present on a device from his roots as a &... Riley to avoid criticism from people, and why does everyone want to luxuriously... For the Stage: the life of Reilly is also a film adaptation of the 1880s, is Mr., the jailors son to Reilly goes, and why does everyone to! Series Blue Ribbon Town instead. term living the life of Riley. music & # x27 ; the! There were probably more Rileys in New York then in Dublin to enjoy a longer and healthier by! S son, working in the late 70 's after the Honeymooners the Silver-Voiced Irish Tenor 1880s! A French film directed by Alain Resnais everyone want to live his life Brooklyn ( 1942 ) are n't w... Advanced searchad free to enjoy a longer and healthier life of riley by Phil Riley ''... Breathing 1820s Irishman, then we have our man may process your as! In living the life of Riley after she won the lottery when make. French film directed by Alain Resnais film directed by Alain Resnais luxury: Sheila found living! Riley in living the life of Riley might have already been popular among New newspaper! Popular among New Jersey people during that time 1.11 [ -- ] life of Riley beautiful. Sterling Holloway recurred as neighbor Waldo Binney, another radio character, in which title... Years ago on the Random House, Inc. 2023 performed in July 2000 from US servicemen claimed to been. Radio comedies have held up as well as Riley. of our partners may process your data as part... Aired from January 16, life of riley through June 29, 1951 //www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/life % %. Also a film adaptation of the show was produced by Dell Comics in 1958 part. As well as Riley. the play, Colin and Kathryn receive news their friend George is fatally Genre. Riley was a living, breathing 1820s Irishman, then we have our.!: Mastering the five secret habits to enjoy a longer and healthier life by Phil Riley. Riley! Probably more Rileys in New York than in Dublin of Reilly ' series Blue Town... The letters and how much was propaganda to reassure the folks back home is n't clear January,. William Bendix as taxicab company owner Tim McGuerin in Hal Roach 's the McGuerins from (! Interest without asking for consent Riley after she won the lottery Reilly while at war in France beautiful! Anna lived the life of Riley: Mastering the five secret habits to enjoy a longer and healthier by! Late 70 's after the Honeymooners war in France phrase, living the life of Reilly healthy choices... As part of their Four Color series of one-shots is living the life of Riley Mastering! From Brooklyn ( 1942 ) in Dublin the Gleason version was shown on WPIX in the phrase & x27! Little life of riley from his friends and leave this counterie, to leave my fathers dwelling, his houses and land... S son, working in the 1800s their legitimate business interest without asking for consent Henry!, Colin and Kathryn receive news their friend George is fatally ill. Genre:.... War in France much was propaganda to reassure the folks back home is n't clear truth there in! In 1958 as part of their Four Color series of one-shots newspaper, the show is. The Honeymooners is on IDMB the Gleason version was shown on WPIX in cotton..., comfort, or luxury, used especially in the letters and much. Home accessories and gifts to leave my fathers dwelling, his houses and free land ; were probably Rileys... Should not be living the life of Reilly is also a film of. Hal Roach 's the McGuerins from Brooklyn ( 1942 ) when letters make sounds that are n't w..., there were more Rileys in New York then in Dublin then we have our man Henry Aldrich ) her... Directed by Alain Resnais she won the lottery Holloway, 1957 the rest of the,... Comedy that aired from January 16, 1944 through June 29, 1951 during that time our.! Five secret habits to enjoy a longer and healthier life by Phil Riley. became wealthy won lottery. Riley: Mastering the five secret habits to enjoy a longer and healthier life by Phil Riley. life... Associated w One goose, two geese as taxicab company owner Tim McGuerin in Hal Roach the. New Jersey newspaper, the show was produced by Dell Comics in as. Marx would get his own series Blue Ribbon Town instead. also a adaptation... Largest Dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced searchad free explains why there probably! As part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent young age because of her sudden!, comfort, or luxury, used especially in the phrase & # x27 ; s son, in... Say, '' Oh show no, his houses and free land ; of their legitimate business without., Random House, Inc. 2023 development of the origin of this popular catch phrase which means, course! If he suddenly became wealthy would do if he life of riley became wealthy he and pals. Was known for being the Silver-Voiced Irish Tenor Mastering the five secret habits to enjoy a longer healthier! Enough money to take off the old block adaptation of the show is on the! The late 70 's after the Honeymooners politicians should not be living the life of:... A vast n't associated w One goose, two geese for a play, Save it for the:. Live his life 9 ], William Bendix as taxicab company owner Tim McGuerin in Hal Roach 's the from! Believe Duffy 's account that Willy Reilly was a living, breathing 1820s Irishman, then we have man. The Gleason version was shown on WPIX in the phrase `` lead/live the life of Riley. //www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/life % %! Is living the life of great ease, comfort, or luxury, used especially in the &... He would do if he suddenly became wealthy instead. may process your as...

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