Babs Runs for UCLA President: The Life of Riley (March 25, 1949)

The Life of Riley, old-time radio on Stupid Potato

“Babs Runs for UCLA President” is an episode of The Life of Riley, the old-time radio show, first broadcast March 25, 1949. Listen free on Stupid Potato: no sign-up, no app.

Play The Life of Riley free: the episodes out so far, or subscribe in any podcast app.

What happens

Chester A. Riley tries to help his daughter Babs win the presidency of the UCLA freshman class. Riley's wife Peg is against his meddling, and Babs's rival Elaine Bidwell has a wealthy father who backs her campaign. Riley turns to his old political boss, Mr. Feeney, for help, and the plan Feeney sends him into is a crooked one. The episode is from The Life of Riley, a comedy series, and aired on March 25, 1949. William Bendix stars as Riley, with Paula Winslowe as Peg and Hans Conried and Alan Reed in the cast.

Riley's home and the UCLA campus in Los Angeles, California

Characters: Chester A. Riley, Babs Riley, Peg Riley, Elaine Bidwell, Mr. Feeney, Mike, Digger O'Dell, Junior Riley

Listen for: Riley's campaign advice to Babs, his visit to Mr. Feeney, and the voter registration line on campus

Written from the episode itself; it never gives away the ending. Every recording is remastered for the stream: cleaned of rumble, hiss and mains hum (and the old TV whine where we found it), then levelled in two passes to steady broadcast loudness, so one show is never quieter than the next.