Those Thrilling Days of Yesteryear, an all volunteer radio reenactment group, will present a double feature – the first show and final show of “The Life of Riley,” at 2 p.m. Sunday, July 1, at the Oak Park Arms retirement community, 408 S. Oak Park Ave.
The first “Life of Riley” radio show was a summer replacement show heard on CBS from April 12, 1941 to Sept. 6, 1941. The CBS program starred Lionel Stander as J. Riley Farnsworth. It had no real connection with the more famous series that followed a few years later.
The radio program starring William Bendix as Riley initially aired on the Blue Network, later known as ABC, from Jan., 1944 to June, 1945. Then it moved to NBC, where it was broadcast from Sept., 1945 to June, 1951.
The supporting cast featured Paula Winslowe portraying Peg, Riley's wife, as well as John Brown, who portrayed not only undertaker "Digger" O'Dell but also Riley's co-worker Jim Gillis. Brown also played the character of Waldo Binny.
Whereas Gillis gave Riley bad information that got him into trouble, Digger gave him good information that "helped him out of a hole," as he might have put it. 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 program was broadcast live with a studio audience most of whom were not aware Brown played both characters. As a result, when Digger delivered his first line, it was usually greeted with howls of laughter and applause from surprised audience members.
The performers
Those Thrilling Days of Yesteryear is composed of Chicagoland actors who share a common interest - to perform old time radio programs for the community. Each actor and technician donates talent and time for free.
The radio shows are very popular with residents and people from the community. Some bring their children and/or grandchildren to show what entertainment was like before television.
Group founders, Ben Dooley and Pam Turlow, husband and wife, established a connection with The Oak Park Arms in September of 2002, when Turlow’s father became a resident. They’ve been volunteering/performing at The Arms ever since.
To celebrate 10 years of performances at the Oak Park Arms, Dooley and Turlow, decided to present a show every month (instead of every other month) and tie in a charity with each performance. The July 1 show will benefit the Oak Park Animal Care League. Audience members can give free will donation at the time of the show.
The Oak Park Arms is a rental retirement community which provides independent and assisted living apartments and a full schedule of activities and services. Furnished apartments are also available for a short-term stay - a weekend, a week, a month or longer.
The radio show is free and open to the public. For more information, call Jill Wagner at 708-386-4040 or visit http://www.oakparkarms.com.
