The Geiger Counter (Aired October 14, 1949)
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."Beginning October 4, 1949, the show was adapted for television for the DuMont Television Network, but Bendix's film contracts prevented him from appearing in the role. Instead, Jackie Gleason starred along with Rosemary DeCamp as wife Peg, Gloria Winters as daughter Barbara (Babs), Lanny Rees as son Chester Jr. (Junior), and Sid Tomack as Gillis, Riley's manipulative best buddy and next-door neighbor. John Brown returned as the morbid counseling undertaker Digby (Digger) O'Dell ("Well, I guess I'll be... shoveling off"; "Business is a little dead tonight"). Television's first Life of Riley won television's first Emmy (for "Best Film Made For and Shown on Television"). However, it came to an end on March 28, 1950 because of low ratings and because Gleason left the show, thinking he could find a better showcase for his unique abilities. Groucho Marx received a credit for "story."
THIS EPISODE:
October 14, 1949. NBC network origination, WRVR-FM, New York rebroadcast. Sponsored by: Hemlock Farms. Riley buys a geiger counter and discovers uranium...but on Gillis' property! Syndicated rebroadcast date: September 17, 1974. William Bendix, John Brown, Paula Winslowe, Jimmy Wallington (announcer), Irving Brecher (producer), Reuben Ship (writer), Alan Lipscott (writer), Mitch Lindeman (director), Barbara Eiler, Alan Reed Jr.. 1/2 hour.
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