The Life of Riley (1953)

Season 3

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. His stock answer to every turn of fate became a catch phrase: 'What a revoltin' development this is!"

Where to Watch The Life of Riley (1953) • Season 3

41 Episodes

Junior's Secret
E1
Junior's SecretJunior and Egbert are interested in buying a sailboat but keep their dads out of the loop. After overhearing talk, Riley and Gillis thinks the boys are getting serious with girls. Pops plans on stopping the non-existent relationship.
Riley in the Wild Blue Yonder
E2
Riley in the Wild Blue YonderRiley has the notion to become a pilot and convinces his best friend Gillis to join in taking lessons. Over the protests of his family Riley perseveres with his idea until reality sets in.
Riley and the Suggestion Contest
E3
Riley and the Suggestion ContestA suggestion box is installed at work and Riley is soon in trouble with all of his "helpful" ideas.
Destination Brooklyn
E4
Destination BrooklynThe Riley's travel to Brooklyn to visit Chester's parents.
The Dog Watch
E5
The Dog WatchRiley's boss Hawkins asks Chester to watch his dog. While under his care, the pooch runs away and Riley panics.
Babs and Junior Try Home Economics
E6
Babs and Junior Try Home EconomicsChester's children get some ideas on how to save money in the family budget. Despite Peg's misgivings, he agrees to let Babs and Junior run things - but soon the household is in chaos.
The Duck Hunting Trip
E7
The Duck Hunting TripRiley and Gillis go duck hunting at a nearby mountain lake.
Junior, the Chief Magistrate
E8
Junior, the Chief MagistrateIt's boys day and the kids take over the town.
Riley Buys a Statue
E9
Riley Buys a StatueRiley is out to prove he has cultural tastes and purchases an Indian statue. His family thinks it's hideous and Peg insists he get rid of it. Riley finds no takers when he tries first to sell it, then give the "artwork" away.
Riley Versus Numerology
E10
Riley Versus NumerologyRiley's friend Waldo follows numerology and after a certain occurrences Chester becomes a believer also. His family remains skeptical and begin to be annoyed when Chester insists on certain rituals.
Riley, the Friendly Neighbor
E11
Riley, the Friendly NeighborWhen the neighbors find out Chester is willing to store a couple of items in his garage they take advantage of the situation. Soon the Rileys are overwhelmed with other's belongings and Peg issues an ultimatum.
Riley's Wild Oats
E12
Riley's Wild OatsRiley thinks he's getting older and never had a chance to sow his wild oats. Peg gives him that chance and it's not all it's cracked up to be.
Puppy Love
E13
Puppy LoveJunior has his first major crush and Chester gives him a heart to heart about relationships. When Peg learns of her husband's views on marriage she's not happy and Riley scrambles to fix the mess he made.
The Car Pool
E14
The Car PoolChester believes he can make some extra cash by organizing car pools. It goes wrong in so many ways with everyone involved mad at Chester for another hare brained scheme.
Job Opening
E15
Job OpeningRiley and Gillis are competing for the same promotion which endangers their close friendship.
Brotherly Love
E16
Brotherly LoveThe Riley's soon learn that a little brotherly love is better than a lot all at once.
Unwelcome Guests
E17
Unwelcome GuestsChester is asked to watch the Gillis home while the family is away. Riley sees a chance to make some extra money and rents the house to a circus family. The carnies turn the neighborhood upside down and Riley is befuddled.
Come Back, Little Junior
E18
Come Back, Little JuniorRiley is worried about money so he and Gillis ask their sons to contribute. Junior and Egbert runaway but an encounter with a hobo sends the boys back home. Promises are made by the worried dads, not knowing the kids are back.
Riley Buys a Wrestler
E19
Riley Buys a WrestlerRiley is given the task of finding a wrestler to take on the company champion. He is first made to buy the athlete's contract then Chester finds he must house and feed the man before the match. His family vehemently objects.
Light-fingered Babs
E20
Light-fingered BabsChester and Peg notice Babs has many new things but no source of money to buy them. Riley suspects his daughter has been shoplifting the items and goes to unusual lengths to stop her criminal behavior.
Family Activities Planned
E21
Family Activities Planned
The Auction
E22
The AuctionRiley and Otto auction off a motorcycle and find making numbers for the sale are not that easy when they both write the winning number 50.
A Bride for Otto
E23
A Bride for OttoRiley and Gillis decide to get a mail order bride for their friend Otto
Sister Cissy Returns
E24
Sister Cissy ReturnsRiley is told Peg has broken her heel. He is convinced it's her foot, but actually it is the heel of her shoe.
Night Shift
E25
Night ShiftTo balance the family budget, Riley take a job in a department store in the evenings.
Chicken Ranch
E26
Chicken RanchRiley's parents are visiting but are anxious to get back home to Brooklyn. But, Chester likes them being nearby so he buys his folks a chicken ranch to operate despite the city background.
Up to the Jury
E27
Up to the JuryChester is excited when wife Peg is selected to be a juror in an important trial. Despite being warned, Riley gets himself involved and ends up jeopardizing the case.
The Gymnasium
E28
The GymnasiumWhen a friend of his is fired at the plant, Riley helps him start a gymnasium.
Singing Cowboy
E29
Singing Cowboy
Look Peg, I'm Dancing
E30
Look Peg, I'm DancingOnce a year Riley and his pal give their wives a treat by taking them dancing -- but this year the girls insist the guys take dancing lessons first.
Meet the Neighbor
E31
Meet the NeighborRiley and Gillis' new neighbor Mr Parker doesn't fully appreciate having trash thrown over his fence.
Babs Gets Engaged
E32
Babs Gets EngagedRiley is upset over his daughter's romantic escapades.
Babs Graduation from College
E33
Babs Graduation from College
Brotherhood of the B.P.L.A.
E34
Brotherhood of the B.P.L.A.Pa Riley is visiting but is eager to get back to Brooklyn. Chester thinks that if he gets his dad to join Chester's lodge that he will have more incentive to stay.
The Blockade
E35
The BlockadeA tree is blown across Riley's driveway.
The Diet
E36
The DietRiley and Gillis diet in an effort to fit into last year's bowling jackets.
Out to Pasture
E37
Out to PastureRiley is to train a young Jack Clifford in his job and he catches on quickly. Riley jumps to conclusions thinking he's about to be fired so he resigns instead. When Riley realizes his mistake, he frantically tries to fix his predicament.
Top Secret
E38
Top SecretRiley and Gillis are assigned to a special project and are told to keep quiet about it. Riley ends up boasting about the secret project, which lands him in major trouble.
Riley Unites the Family
E39
Riley Unites the FamilyRiley has come to the conclusion that his family has lost interest in him.
School Board Critic
E40
School Board CriticRiley schemes to get an all- expense paid trip to Chicago.
The Stupid Cupid
E41
The Stupid CupidOtto's romance has ended which leaves him understandably saddened. Riley and Gillis work to cheer their friend up but the two men make things worse.