What happens
Chester A. Riley, a riveter at a California aircraft plant, is proud of his son Junior, and he is determined that Junior will land a leading role in his junior high school's play. Riley's rival and friend Jim Gillis mocks the idea, claiming his own son Eggbert is the one with talent. Junior is cast in a small part, and Riley grows irritated by the arrangement. The story of The Life of Riley, from its February 2, 1946 broadcast, follows the family's efforts around the school production, with William Bendix starring as Riley.
A California aircraft plant, the Riley home, and the John J. Bosco junior high school.
Characters: Chester A. Riley, Junior Riley, Peg Riley, Jim Gillis, Eggbert Gillis, Miss Jessup
Listen for: Riley's escalating pressure on Junior and Miss Jessup over the school play, and the exchanges with Gillis.
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.