Life of Riley 44-10-29 (042)Halloween Haunted House

Summary

Podcast Summary: Harold's Old Time Radio

Episode: Life of Riley 44-10-29 (042) Halloween Haunted House
Release Date: October 22, 2025
Host: Harold's Old Time Radio
Original Air Date of Drama: October 29, 1944

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Overview

This episode features a classic installment of the beloved radio sitcom The Life of Riley, set around Halloween. The story blends gentle family comedy, spooky atmosphere, and a poignant wartime message as Riley and his son Junior become entangled in a dare to spend time in a supposedly haunted house on Halloween. The program captures both the humor of Riley’s bumbling fatherhood and the deeper social realities of the era, including war-induced loss and the importance of contributing to the home front.

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Key Discussion Points & Plot Breakdown

1. Halloween Antics at Home (00:24–08:10)

• Riley’s Halloween Spirit: Riley, played by William Bendix, is excited about Halloween and intends to play pranks, reminiscing about his childhood Halloween experiences (“I'll never forget when I was just a boy, Every Halloween, my father used to stick me in the front window. We were too poor to buy a pumpkin.” – Riley, 00:45).
• Kitschy Hijinks: Riley tries a "Rat Man of Blood Bucket Castle" mask to scare his wife Alice, but is mistaken for Mickey Mouse, leading to some lighthearted taunting by Alice and Junior.
• Skepticism About Ghosts: Junior is nervous about ghosts, influenced by rumors spurred by his friend Johnny Cornwall and Cornwall’s séance-obsessed mother. Riley, ever the rationalist, mocks the concept with a spoof séance he fakes by rapping with his feet.

2. The Dare and Haunted House Plan (08:10–13:08)

• Junior’s Dare: Junior is “elected” by his club to enter the infamous Sherwin house alone as a Halloween dare; he insists on taking his “best friend”—his father, Riley. Riley tries to bluff his way out but is guilted into going.
• Neighborhood Gossip & Haunted House Lore: Alice recounts the legend of Alice Sherwin, a bride whose planned new home has stood empty since her Navy husband was lost in wartime. Stories of ghostly sightings and lights fuel the boys’ superstitions.

3. The Approach and Garden Encounter (13:08–18:02)

• Atmosphere & Humor: As Riley and Junior approach the Sherwin house, the script mixes tension and humor—Riley is clearly unnerved (“Maybe we ought to go back to town and get some oil, huh?” – Riley, 13:45), but tries to act brave in front of his son.
• Graveyard Humor: They are startled by Mr. Digby O’Dell, the ever-cheerful undertaker, who offers blackly comic lines:

  “It’s one of my favorite haunts.” – Mr. Odell, 16:01
  “In my profession we have a saying. You may not like flowers at first, but eventually they grow on you.” – Mr. Odell, 16:43
  Riley, nervous about the morbid discussion, requests he stop staring at his chest when mentioning lilies.

4. Inside the Haunted House: The Séance and the Ghost (18:02–22:01)

• The Séance Revisited: Inside, Junior insists on a “real” séance, tying Riley to a chair to prevent trickery. Riley reluctantly agrees, only for both to be frightened by mysterious rapping sounds that neither claims to have made.
• Flight and Panic: Junior, terrified, flees to get a knife to cut his father loose. Meanwhile, Riley is confronted by a mysterious woman who claims to be “Alice Sherwin.”
• Atmospheric Peak:

  “Now I know I'm crazy. I'm talking to a ghost.” – Riley, 21:26

5. Revelation and Emotional Resolution (22:01–26:15)

• Real Life, Not Ghosts: “Alice Sherwin” is not a ghost, but the real, living widow who has been hiding in her own house, lost in grief and wanting to be left alone with her memories.
• Heartfelt Dialogue: Riley compassionately invites her to visit his family and makes a heartfelt appeal about moving forward for the sake of the living and in honor of her husband:

  “You can make his dying count for something by helping to beat the people who started this war and teaching the world that it won't pay to ever start another.” – Riley, 24:43 “The only thing a person can't do is do nothing.” – Riley, 25:03

• Themes of Community and War Effort: The episode connects personal grief with collective responsibility, encouraging all listeners to do their part in the wartime effort, both on the battlefield and at home.

  “Those people live in something worse than an empty house. They live in an empty brain.” – Riley, 25:26

6. Denouement and Lighthearted Close (26:15–27:14)

• No Ghosts After All: Riley and Junior return home. Riley tries to restore his bravado with a gentle joke about launching a recruiting drive that includes “spooks.”
• Final Classic Humor:

  “I'm going to recruit Waves, wax spars, and spooks.” – Riley, 27:14

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Being Picked for the Dare:
  “I picked you, Pop. I bet that you're not scared.” – Junior, 08:35
• On the Challenges of Houdini-ing Out of Danger:
  “Don’t come back. Untie me, Junior. I can’t get this chair through that window.” – Riley, 20:29
• Riley’s Style of Comfort:
  “I'm sure glad you ain't no ghost. Of course, I ain't actually scared of ghosts because I know there ain't no goat.” – Riley, 25:39
• Gentle Persuasion About Grief:
  “The people I can't understand are the ones who do know and still don't care. Those people live in something worse than an empty house. They live in an empty brain.” – Riley, 25:26

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Important Timestamps

• 00:45: Riley reminisces about childhood Halloween, and sets the episode’s nostalgic tone.
• 04:07: Family discussion about haunted houses and local ghost legends.
• 08:35: Junior reveals Riley is his chosen companion for the haunted house dare.
• 11:00–12:00: Alice tells the tragic backstory of Alice Sherwin, setting up the episode’s emotional stakes.
• 13:39–17:20: Graveyard humor with Mr. Digby O’Dell outside the Sherwin house.
• 19:13–20:29: Riley is tied up for the séance, and both are spooked by genuine raps.
• 21:23–24:43: Emotional confrontation with Alice Sherwin about loss and purpose.
• 25:24: Riley emphasizes responsibility during wartime.
• 27:14: Riley’s closing Halloween joke.

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Tone and Atmosphere

The episode features Blustery, everyman humor from Riley, mischievous energy from Junior, and a supporting cast that blends comic relief (the undertaker) with poignant sincerity (Alice Sherwin). The script delivers both light Halloween chills and heartfelt homefront reflection, typical of 1940s golden era radio.

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Conclusion

Life of Riley’s “Halloween Haunted House” delivers classic radio comedy with a side of spooky fun, sentimental family moments, and a stirring reminder of wartime responsibilities, ending on Riley’s goofy, affable charm. The episode is a perfect blend of laughs, wholesome scares, and a message about coming together in troubled times—showcasing why these radio shows remain enduringly beloved.

Transcript

[Narrator]

Limu Emu and Doug.

[Documentary Narrator]

Here we have the Limu Emu in its natural habitat, helping people customize their car insurance and save hundreds with Liberty Mutual. Fascinating. It's accompanied by his natural ally, Doug.

[Narrator]

Limu is that guy with the binoculars watching us.

[Documentary Narrator]

Cut the camera. They see us.

[Narrator]

Only pay for what you [e-mail] Liberty.

[Riley]

Liberty. Liberty. Liberty.

[Narrator]

Savings vary underwritten by Liberty Mutual Insurance Company and affiliates. Excludes Massachusetts. Here he is in the movie Wake Island. He was a Brooklyn Marine in the Broad with two Yanks. He's Biff the Private. But tonight he's just an overgrown kid anxiously waiting for Halloween.

[Riley]

I'll never forget when I was just a boy, Every Halloween, my father used to stick me in the front window. We were too poor to buy a pumpkin.

[Narrator]

The American Meat Institute presents William Bendix in the Life of Riley. By day, Riley is engaged in the serious business of war production as a riveter in a California aircraft plant. But tonight, we see his less serious side. It's two nights before Halloween, and Riley is full of the spirit of the thing. It's quite dark out, and Riley's son, Junior, is just returning from a meeting of the Young Wildcats. His club in a very thoughtful mood.

[Junior]

Is that you, Posh?

[Riley]

Yeah. Junior.

[Junior]

Oh, what are you doing hiding on the back porch?

[Riley]

Listen, peek in the kitchen window and see what your mother's doing.

[Junior]

She's washing the supper dishes. Say, Pop, what are you doing with that false face on? You're Mickey Mouse, huh?

[Riley]

No, I'm not Mickey Mouse. I'm the Rat man of Blood Bucket Castle.

[Junior]

Oh, why, at the dime store, they sell those false faces for Mickey Mouse.

[Riley]

Never mind. I bet your mother will think I'm the Rat Man.

[Junior]

Oh, you gonna play a trick on Mom?

[Riley]

Yeah. You see, last night we saw a horror picture about a nice, gruesome character. The Rat Man. He was a vampire, has lunch on people's necks.

[Junior]

Oh, he ain't a rat. He's a bat.

[Riley]

Oh, well, he's very depressing. Anyway, afterwards, your mom was so scared something would pop out of a doorway at her.

[Alice Sherwin]

She.

[Riley]

She walked all the way home in the middle of the street?

[Junior]

Mom said you made her walk out there. No, I.

[Riley]

I just invited her out in the street because it ain't polite to leave a lady walking on the sidewalk all alone. You watch now when I scratch at the door and she opens it up and sees me in this thing, too.

[Junior]

Okay, Pop.

[Alice Sherwin]

Go ahead.

[Riley]

Okay. All I hope is she don't faint. Watch now.

[Junior]

Pop. Bats don't Growl. They squeak.

[Riley]

Oh, yeah, that's right.

[Junior]

Shh. Who's there?

[Riley]

We got her.

[Junior]

Guess. Well, I never. It's Mickey Mouse. Junior.

[Alice Sherwin]

Junior, Go get your father some cheese.

[Junior]

You sure fooled her, Pop.

[Riley]

Yeah, well, they don't make these masks as good as they used to. Or else maybe I got a very strong personality and it leaks through. Probably.

[Alice Sherwin]

Well, isn't it a little early for Halloween tricks, Riley?

[Riley]

Well, it don't hurt to get a head start. Halloween's my favorite holiday. Look, Junior, there's something else I bought at the Five and Dimension. You see this book? Ghost Stories.

[Junior]

Oh, thanks, Pop, but I don't want to read any ghost stories tonight. What's the matter?

[Riley]

You don't believe in ghosts, do you?

[Junior]

No, I don't believe in ghosts, but I don't want to read anything that might change my mind. Too many people think there's ghosts now.

[Riley]

Say, dumpling, what's the matter with him?

[Junior]

Well, I don't know.

[Alice Sherwin]

Ever since he came home from school.

[Junior]

Today, he's been asking me if I.

[Alice Sherwin]

Believe in haunted houses.

[Riley]

What a question. With the house in shortage as sure as it is, who's going to leave a house empty for spooks?

[Alice Sherwin]

Well, there's one empty house up on Chestnut Hill, Riley. You know the old Sherwin place? Some people say that's haunted. Yeah, Mrs. Cornwell claims she saw a pale white face at the window too.

[Riley]

Yes.

[Junior]

Oh, but Mrs. Cornwell's a great one for ghosts.

[Alice Sherwin]

She's always holding seances and things like that.

[Riley]

Yeah, yeah, that. That Cornwell kids in Junior's club too. I bet he's got our boy believing in ghosts. Well, I'm going to have a head to head talk with Junior. So you see, Junior, if I tell you there's no ghost, you can take my word for it. After all, I've been your father for 13 years, ain't I?

[Junior]

Oh, sure, Papa. If there aren't any ghosts, what haunts haunted houses?

[Riley]

Listen, Junior, nothing haunts haunted houses.

[Junior]

Oh, yes they do, Pop. Johnny Cornwall's mother proved the house was haunted.

[Riley]

How did she?

[Junior]

She said she saw a ghost face in the window up at the old Sherwin house. It was a horrible face too.

[Riley]

Go on. Mrs. Cornwell must have seen her own reflection. Desert dame should walk into a room backwards and break her face tears slowly.

[Junior]

Oh, then Pop. Then she came home and held a seance. She asked if what she saw was the ghost of Alice Sherwin. And she got three raps on the table. Well, that means yes in ghost language.

[Riley]

Fine language. All he can do is knock. They ought to be newspaper columnists.

[Junior]

You better not make fun of ghosts, Pop.

[Riley]

Look, Junior, would you sooner believe a ghost in your old man?

[Junior]

No, Pop. But if the ghost said it was a ghost, it was ought to know.

[Riley]

Okay, I can see you're a septic. Now we'll have a seance right here to prove what Mrs. Cornwell saw wasn't that Sherwin girl's ghost. Come on, put your hands up on his table.

[Junior]

Oh, gosh, Papa, are you going to ask a ghost to rap?

[Riley]

I'll show you. I'll put my hands on there, too. See? Okay, now I'll ask something. Are there any ghosts? See? No answer. No. Ghosts.

[Junior]

Nah, Pop, you have to ask for raps. Two means no. Three raps means yes.

[Riley]

Oh, well, okay. Two raps for no, three for yes. Now I'll ask him again. Did Mrs. Cornwell see a ghost up at Sherwin's old horse at house?

[Junior]

Gosh, Pop, it's a no.

[Riley]

See, that proves it. Mrs. Cornwell's a phony.

[Junior]

Well, now ask him again if there are any ghosts.

[Riley]

Okay. Are there any ghosts?

[Junior]

Rapt?

[Riley]

Two for no. See, that's the ghosts themselves.

[Narrator]

Say, they're on any ghost that's ghosting.

[Junior]

Wait a minute, Pop. How could a ghost rap twofer know if there aren't any ghosts?

[Riley]

Well, that's very simple. I was just kidding, sonny. I did that rapping myself. Honest.

[Junior]

Well, your hands were on the table.

[Riley]

Yeah, but my feet weren't. Look it, I just kicked up under that table with my foot like this.

[Junior]

Oh, Pop, I bet you wouldn't kid around like that in a genuine haunted house like the Sherwin place. Well, sure I would.

[Riley]

Only I can't because I ain't going there.

[Junior]

Would you be scared to go if you were going?

[Riley]

Me? No.

[Junior]

Oh, that's good, Pop. Now I ain't scared to go, neither.

[Riley]

How do you mean?

[Junior]

Well, down at my club tonight we got to talking what we do? Halloween. So we made it up. We'd go find out if Sherwin's old house was haunted or if it wasn't.

[Riley]

Yeah, I pity any ghost when them young wildcats get in that house.

[Junior]

Oh, we ain't all going inside, Pop. Just one of us got elected to go inside. The poor guy who got the short.

[Riley]

Straw who got it.

[Junior]

Well, I did.

[Riley]

I see. Well, Junior, you show him. You know there aren't any ghosts in there. I'm proud of you, Junior. Walking in there all alone, I think.

[Junior]

Well, I won't be all alone. I made Up a rule the fellow had to go in could take in another fella his best friend.

[Riley]

That's okay, too. If the guy you picked is a real friend, he would go like a shot. Who'd you pick?

[Junior]

I picked you, Pop. I pet that yard.

[Riley]

Me. Look, Junior, I'm probably gonna be very busy and.

[Junior]

Mom, you ain't scared to go, are you?

[Riley]

Well, no, but.

[Junior]

And you are my best friend, aren't you?

[Riley]

Huh? Well, yeah, guess I am. Actually, the saying is that your mother is your best friend.

[Junior]

Well, I couldn't ask mom to go. And I'm sure glad you're coming with me.

[Riley]

Yeah, me too, Junior. Chapter 13. As Lord Twitcher stood there in the dark hall of the great lonely house, he could feel something evil in the very air. A cold wind brushed his cheek and an icy hand seemed to touch his spine. Suddenly, he saw the thing, and then he heard a sound. A low wailing sound.

[Junior]

Who's that?

[Alice Sherwin]

It's only me, dear.

[Junior]

Did I startle you?

[Riley]

Oh, no. I was just reading this book here.

[Alice Sherwin]

Oh, the ghost stories you bought, Junior, huh?

[Riley]

Yeah. Such nonsense.

[Alice Sherwin]

Mine is a quiet Halloween, isn't it? Wonder what all those boys in Junior's club are doing tonight.

[Riley]

I know what they're doing. They're all sitting over across from our house right now on the fence like a row of buzzards, waiting for us to come out.

[Junior]

Oh, are they going to the house with you?

[Riley]

Oh, they're going as far as the gate of the place to make sure we go in.

[Alice Sherwin]

Oh, but you're not nervous about going, are you, dear? You don't believe in ghosts.

[Riley]

Well, no. You don't believe in them either, do you, Peg?

[Alice Sherwin]

No, but there is something queer about that house. I wonder what did become of that poor Alice Sherwin.

[Riley]

Well, if nobody knows, I don't want to find out. What did they say happened to her?

[Alice Sherwin]

Oh, it's an awfully sad story. She was a bride, you know. Beautiful girl. Well, they were on their honeymoon in Manila. He was a captain in the navy. She and her husband were going to come home and live in that old house. Then, well, he was lost in an air raid. Some say they were both killed together. Others say that she followed him because she didn't want to live without him. Well, anyhow, the house stands there empty, waiting for the bride and bridegroom that never came to live in it.

[Riley]

People ought to leave the place alone, and I'm one of the people.

[Alice Sherwin]

Well, after you go there tonight, maybe people will stop talking and gossiping about the house because you'll prove there's nothing there.

[Riley]

Yeah, maybe. Now, what was all that talk about seeing lights and faces around the place?

[Alice Sherwin]

Oh, just talk, I suppose. Yes, but they do say that they saw a woman's figure at the window in the attic.

[Junior]

Pop.

[Riley]

Junior, what's the idea of sneaking in like that?

[Junior]

It's time to go, Pop.

[Riley]

I. Huh? Oh, well. Yeah, well. Okay, Junior. Goodbye, dumpling.

[Alice Sherwin]

Goodbye, boys.

[Junior]

It's sure dark out, isn't it, Pop?

[Riley]

Yeah, Pop.

[Junior]

That Sherwin house. We're going to it. It can't be. Really Haunted planet.

[Riley]

No, no.

[Junior]

But it's funny that people have seen a ghost in there.

[Riley]

Yeah, well. Junior. What? When we get in that house, you. You do just like I do, and you won't see no ghosts.

[Junior]

What are you going to do, Pop?

[Riley]

I'm going to keep my eyes shut.

[Narrator]

It's just midnight. A very dark midnight. Even the moon is hiding on this Halloween. Riley and his son Junior are just approaching the rusty iron gate that guards the old Sherwin house, which is said to be haunted.

[Junior]

Listen, here's the gate, Pop. Let's go in.

[Riley]

Maybe the gate's locked so we can't get in. She wouldn't. That be too bad.

[Junior]

We've got to get in, Pop. The gang's followed us all away from town, and they're still watching.

[Riley]

Yeah, they trail us like sharks after a sinking ship.

[Junior]

Let's go in, Pop.

[Riley]

Okay. What's that?

[Junior]

The gate. The hinges are all rusty.

[Riley]

Maybe we ought to go back to town and get some oil, huh?

[Documentary Narrator]

And, Doug, here we have the limu emu in its natural habitat, helping people customize their car insurance and save hundreds with Liberty Mutual. Fascinating. It's accompanied by his natural ally, Doug.

[Narrator]

Uh, limu is that guy with the binoculars watching us?

[Documentary Narrator]

Cut the camera. They see us.

[Narrator]

Only pay for what you [e-mail] Liberty.

[Riley]

Liberty. Liberty.

[Narrator]

Liberty Savings Ferry Underwritten by Liberty Mutual Insurance company and affiliates Excludes Massachusetts.

[Junior]

Come on in the garden, Pop. Gosh, it's dark.

[Riley]

Yeah. Well, follow me. Junior, where are you? Right behind you. Here, give me your hand.

[Junior]

I see the house, Pop. The moon's coming out of a cloud.

[Riley]

Yeah. Junior.

[Junior]

Huh?

[Riley]

What's that over there? Huh?

[Junior]

I think that's your shadow, Pop.

[Riley]

If that's my shadow, why is it moving while I'm standing still?

[Junior]

Pop, it's coming this way.

[Riley]

And since when does a shadow make footsteps?

[Mr. Odell]

Good evening, Riley.

[Junior]

Wait, Pop. It's your friend, Mr. Odell, the undertaker.

[Riley]

Oh. Oh, yeah. Oh, how are you, digger? I never thought I'D be glad to. Never thought I'd be glad to see an undertaker.

[Mr. Odell]

You're looking fine, Riley. Very natural. Tell me, what are you doing here around the old Sherwin house?

[Riley]

Oh, well, nothing bigger. We're just having some fun. I'm Halloween.

[Mr. Odell]

Ah, Halloween. I adore Halloween. It's so gay.

[Riley]

Digger, do you hang around this old house much?

[Mr. Odell]

Oh, yes indeed. It's one of my favorite haunts.

[Riley]

Haunts? Listen, you don't think there's anything in there, do you?

[Mr. Odell]

Who knows? Sometimes as I stroll through this old garden, I feel unseen eyes follow me.

[Riley]

You do?

[Mr. Odell]

Riley, you're not going inside the house?

[Riley]

Well, we thought we might drop in a minute. I could be talked out of it.

[Mr. Odell]

Take my advice, Riley. Remain outside. Enjoy the beautiful flowers. They're my favorite flowers.

[Riley]

Lilies. Digger, when you talk about lilies, please don't stare at my chest.

[Mr. Odell]

Strange how some people have no interest in horticulture. In my profession we have a saying. You may not like flowers at first, but eventually they grow on you. By the way, Riley, how tall are you?

[Riley]

Well, I'm about five feet up. Why?

[Mr. Odell]

I'd like to borrow your overcoat Saturday to wear at the footboard ball game.

[Riley]

Oh, sure, sure.

[Mr. Odell]

I'll pick it up at 1 o'.

[Riley]

Clock.

[Mr. Odell]

I want to get to the game before they kickle. Well, Riley. Oh, bury me.

[Junior]

Here's the door to the house, Pop. It's open.

[Riley]

Well, leave it open. Why? Well, one thing, Junior. Nobody will never be able to say your old man was a coward. Let's go in now. Let's go out.

[Junior]

Wait, Pop, we've only been in one room. We're supposed to go through the whole house.

[Riley]

As far as I'm concerned, this is a one room house.

[Junior]

Come on. Oh, wait, Pop.

[Riley]

That's fine.

[Junior]

I told a kid you didn't believe in ghosts. And I said we'd have another seance. Like we did at home.

[Riley]

Junior, a blood relationship can only be stretched so far.

[Junior]

Oh, Pop, you said you do it in a haunted house. And if we didn't hear anything, it would prove there wasn't any you know, around here.

[Riley]

I already proved there wasn't any you know, around here.

[Junior]

Well, you didn't do it right. Well, I found out for a seance, the medium has to be tied in a chair so it can't pull no tricks.

[Riley]

Well, okay, Junior, I'd be glad to let you tie me up. Only there ain't no rope. Too bad.

[Junior]

I brought some rope, Pop.

[Riley]

That was swell of you, Junior. I'll remember this. Go ahead. Tie me.

[Narrator]

There.

[Junior]

Can you move your hands or feet?

[Riley]

No, you tied me so tight. Dan Green is sitting in. Now, stand over by the window where I can see you.

[Junior]

Oh, here I am, Pop.

[Riley]

By. You see, Junior, there won't be any wraps this time.

[Junior]

Hope you're right, Pop.

[Riley]

Of course I'm right. How can there be any wraps when I'm tied up too tight to wrap? And I also got my eye on you.

[Alice Sherwin]

Go ahead, then.

[Junior]

Ask if there's any ghosts here.

[Riley]

Okay, now, if there's any ghosts here, rap two times. If there ain't, don't bother. No raps.

[Junior]

Oh, now, say if there are any ghosts to rap three times.

[Riley]

Okay, but there won't be any. If there are any ghosts, rap three times. Junior, did. Did you do that?

[Junior]

I didn't. Didn't you?

[Riley]

Frankly, no. Junior, where you going?

[Junior]

Out the window. Come on.

[Riley]

Don't come back.

[Junior]

Untie me, Junior. I can't get this chair through that window. Junior. Oh, Bob, Bob, Bob. I can't get the knots loose. I better go get a knife. Junior, don't be wrong.

[Riley]

Don't forget to come back. I had to open my big mouth for raps, and I got raps. Fine thing.

[Junior]

All alone in a house.

[Riley]

Was it?

[Junior]

What's that?

[Alice Sherwin]

Who.

[Junior]

Who.

[Riley]

Who's that?

[Alice Sherwin]

What are you doing in my house?

[Riley]

I. I must be going crazy.

[Alice Sherwin]

Why did you come here?

[Riley]

Why? I wouldn't stay, lady, only I got tied up.

[Alice Sherwin]

I will loosen the knots.

[Riley]

Yeah, of course. Well, thanks.

[Alice Sherwin]

Who.

[Riley]

Who are you?

[Alice Sherwin]

I am Alice Sherwin.

[Riley]

Now I know I'm crazy. I'm talking to a ghost.

[Alice Sherwin]

Oh, Pop, please don't tell anyone I'm here. I. I only want to be left alone here in my house.

[Junior]

I got a knife and. Pop, you're untied.

[Riley]

Yeah, and it was the ghost that done it. Wait a minute. Her hands. They weren't no ghost's hands. Junior, you go outside and wait for me.

[Junior]

Oh, what are you gonna do, Pop?

[Riley]

I'm going to have another talk with that. That lady ghost.

[Alice Sherwin]

Why did you want to see me, Mr. Riley?

[Riley]

Well, when I figured out you wasn't a ghost, I got to thinking how lonesome you must be in this house all alone. So I thought maybe you'd like to take a stroll over to my house and meet my family.

[Alice Sherwin]

Oh, thank you.

[Riley]

But if you'd rather not talk, I'll go away.

[Alice Sherwin]

No, don't go yet. I mustn't be rude to my first guest in so long.

[Riley]

Thanks. Must be kind of a shock when the first man you see in so long looks like I do.

[Alice Sherwin]

Tell me about your family, Mr. Riley.

[Riley]

Well, my. My family's named Riley after me. Very nice people, too. That was my son, Junior, that was with me tonight.

[Alice Sherwin]

It must be wonderful to have a son.

[Riley]

Oh, it's great. I got a daughter, too. A girl. She's 16 now. The boy's 13, but getting older all the time. Then there's. There's Peg, that's my wife. She's older than the kids, but younger than me. Say, in that picture of you over the fireplace. I guess that fellow with you, that's your husband?

[Alice Sherwin]

Yes, that's Robert.

[Riley]

He's a good looking fella. Maybe you'd rather not talk about him, though.

[Alice Sherwin]

Violence won't bring him back.

[Riley]

My wife told me about what. What happened. Of course, she didn't know the part about your being here.

[Alice Sherwin]

I don't want anyone to know. I want to stay here alone with his memory. It's the least I can do in loyalty to him.

[Riley]

Oh, you mean you think that's what he'd want you to do? Of course.

[Alice Sherwin]

Does that surprise you?

[Riley]

Well, yes, ma', am, it does. I didn't know him, but from his picture there, I know he was a swell guy. I wouldn't think he'd want you locked up here throwing the rest of your life away.

[Alice Sherwin]

Do you think any man wants the wife he loves to forget him? And in a year, forever?

[Riley]

Well, no, but there's. There's different ways of remembering.

[Junior]

I don't understand you.

[Riley]

You can make his dying count for something by helping to beat the people who started this war and teaching the world that it won't pay to ever start another.

[Alice Sherwin]

You think that I could help end this war?

[Junior]

Sure.

[Riley]

Everybody can do something. The only thing a person can't do is do nothing.

[Alice Sherwin]

Oh, I. I guess you think I've been very selfish, Mr. Riley.

[Riley]

Oh, no. No. You've been shut up in this empty house. You just didn't know what was going on. The people I can't understand are the ones who do know and still don't care. Those people live in something worse than an empty house. They live in an empty brain.

[Alice Sherwin]

Well, I'm not one of them, Mr. Riley.

[Junior]

You.

[Alice Sherwin]

You've given me something to think about and I'm very grateful.

[Riley]

Oh, well, gee, that's fine. Well, I guess I'll be going. I'm sure glad you ain't no ghost. Of course, I ain't actually scared of ghosts because I know there ain't no goat.

[Junior]

Are there?

[Alice Sherwin]

Of course not.

[Riley]

But you know, Mrs. Sherwin, it is kind of dark out in that garden, isn't it? Would you mind walking me to the gate?

[Narrator]

The Riley's will be back in a boat. Well, I think we can all agree with Riley that none of us here at home can sit this war out. The war isn't over in Europe, the war isn't over in the South Pacific. And the war isn't over in America's kitchen. You women who have signed up for the duration to keep health giving meals on America's tables just can't pick out the meat you want and be sure of getting it every time. These days the needs of war are bound to make the varieties and quantities your meat man has vary from day to day. So let's all make good meals out of whatever meats are on hand. And remember this, all meats, regardless of cut or kind, have the same complete highest quality good eating proteins that make meat a yardstick of protean foods. This statement and all statements regarding the nutritional value of meat made on this program are accepted by the Council on Foods and Nutrition of the American Medical Association.

[Riley]

Hiya dumpling. Hey, I. I got some big news about Halloween.

[Junior]

Yes.

[Riley]

Well, you know, I. I think I'm going to open up a one man recruiting outfit. I'm going to recruit Waves, wax spars and spooks.

[Narrator]

Here's the Knife of Riley starring William Bendix. Next week at this time this is Ken Nile saying see you next week. This is the Blue network and Doug.

[Documentary Narrator]

Here we have the Limu emu in its natural habitat helping people customize their car insurance and save hundreds with Liberty Mut. Fascinating. It's accompanied by his natural ally, Doug.

[Narrator]

Limu is that guy with the binoculars watching us.

[Documentary Narrator]

Cut the camera. They see us.

[Narrator]

Only pay for what you need @libertymutual.com savings very underwritten by Liberty Mutual Insurance Company and affiliates. Excludes Massachusetts.