Riley and the Marriage Certificate: The Life of Riley (May 4, 1951)

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

“Riley and the Marriage Certificate” is an episode of The Life of Riley, the old-time radio show, first broadcast May 4, 1951. Listen free on Stupid Potato: no sign-up, no app.

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What happens

Chester Riley learns that a job overseas in Arabia pays double, and his co-worker Gillis urges him to join him. Riley's wife Peg refuses to let him go alone, and the trip depends on a passport, which requires a copy of their marriage certificate. When the certificate cannot be found, Riley begins to fear that he and Peg were never legally married, and the couple argues over whether to hold a second ceremony. The Life of Riley, a radio comedy series, is starring William Bendix as Riley, and the episode aired on May 4, 1951.

A California aircraft company and the Riley home, where Riley wants to take a job in Arabia.

Characters: Chester A. Riley, Peg Riley, James Madison Gillis, Babs, Junior

Listen for: Riley's search for the marriage certificate and the couple's argument over a second wedding.

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.