Golden Radio Theater
Home/Comedy/Life with Luigi
Situation comedy · CBS

Life with Luigi

September 21, 1948 – March 3, 1953 · 206 broadcasts

Life with Luigi was CBS radio's gentle immigrant comedy, on the air from 1948 to 1953. J. Carrol Naish -- an Irish-American who became inseparable from the part -- starred as Luigi Basco, a newly arrived Italian who runs a little antique shop in Chicago and frames every episode as a letter read aloud to his mother back in Italy, signing off 'your lovin-a son-a, Luigi Basco, the li'l immigrant.' Much of the comedy unfolds at the night-school Americanization class Luigi attends alongside immigrants from every other country, while his landlord Pasquale (Alan Reed, later the voice of Fred Flintstone) endlessly schemes to marry him off to daughter Rosa. Created by Cy Howard right after My Friend Irma, the show drew a large audience -- and, eventually, controversy over the broad ethnic humor that would end its television spin-off. Warm, formulaic, and unmistakably of its era.

Collection status: 167 of 206 held (81% complete)
◆ ◆ ◆

Episode Spine

Grouped by year. Jump to the full list below, or open a season on its own page.

1948

June 15, 1948 The Little Immigrant Listen (MP3)
The surviving audition recording -- the pilot that sold the series, first broadcast under its original title, 'The Little Immigrant.'
September 21, 1948 Luigi Discovers America Listen (MP3)
October 5, 1948 (untitled)
October 12, 1948 (untitled)
October 19, 1948 (untitled)
October 26, 1948 (untitled)
November 9, 1948 Diamond Ring Listen (MP3)
November 16, 1948 P.t.a. Meeting Listen (MP3)
November 23, 1948 (untitled)
November 30, 1948 Medical Insurance Listen (MP3)
December 7, 1948 Admiral Perry Mirror Listen (MP3)
December 14, 1948 Santa Claus Luigi Listen (MP3)
The show's Christmas broadcast for 1948.
December 21, 1948 The Colonial Antique Silver Cup Listen (MP3)
A Christmas-season broadcast.
December 28, 1948 Luigi Needs to Get Married to Keep Jimmy Listen (MP3)

1949

January 9, 1949 First Date with an American Girl Listen (MP3)
January 16, 1949 Surprise Party Listen (MP3)
January 23, 1949 (untitled)
January 30, 1949 Character References Listen (MP3)
February 6, 1949 Telephone Company Listen (MP3)
February 13, 1949 (untitled)
February 20, 1949 Luigi Has a Cold Listen (MP3)
February 27, 1949 Luigi Needs a Driver's License Listen (MP3)
March 6, 1949 Income Tax Problems Listen (MP3)
March 13, 1949 The Turkey Raffle Listen (MP3)
March 20, 1949 Luigi's First Car Listen (MP3)
March 27, 1949 Dance Lessons at Arthur Murray's Listen (MP3)
April 3, 1949 Momma's Black Silk Nightgown Listen (MP3)
April 10, 1949 Luigi Goes on a Diet Listen (MP3)
April 24, 1949 The Electric Bill Listen (MP3)
May 1, 1949 The North Halstead Street Block Party Listen (MP3)
May 8, 1949 Luigi's Toothache Listen (MP3)
May 15, 1949 The Super Salesman Listen (MP3)
May 29, 1949 The Wedding Listen (MP3)
Aired a week late: the scheduled program of May 22 had been pre-empted for a special 'People's Choice' broadcast.
June 5, 1949 The Race Track Listen (MP3)
June 12, 1949 Papa's Coat Pocket Listen (MP3)
June 19, 1949 Pasquale's Birthday Party Listen (MP3)
June 26, 1949 Life Insurance Policy Listen (MP3)
July 3, 1949 The Fourth of July Parade Listen (MP3)
The series' Independence Day broadcast for 1949.
July 10, 1949 Fire Code Violation Listen (MP3)
Also logged under the alternate title 'Registered Letter.'
July 17, 1949 At the Beach Listen (MP3)
July 24, 1949 Homesick Listen (MP3)
July 31, 1949 X-Ray Pictures Listen (MP3)
August 7, 1949 A Date with Shirley Listen (MP3)
August 14, 1949 The Sore Thumb Listen (MP3)
August 21, 1949 The Driver's License Listen (MP3)
August 28, 1949 Go West, Young Man Listen (MP3)
September 4, 1949 Hit and Run Witness Listen (MP3)
September 11, 1949 The Amateur Talent Show Listen (FLAC)
September 18, 1949 Midget Radio Law Suit Listen (MP3)
September 25, 1949 The North Halstead Street Block Party Listen (MP3)
September 27, 1949 Stock Investments Listen (MP3)
October 4, 1949 Luigi Throws a Party at the Store Listen (MP3)
October 11, 1949 Columbus Day Listen (MP3)
October 18, 1949 (untitled)
October 25, 1949 The City Zoning Commission Listen (MP3)
November 1, 1949 The Football Game Listen (MP3)
November 8, 1949 No Electioneering Listen (MP3)
November 15, 1949 (untitled)
November 22, 1949 Hot Dogs for Thanksgiving Dinner Listen (MP3)
The 1949 Thanksgiving broadcast.
November 29, 1949 Mario Lanza Record Album Listen (MP3)
A broadcast tied to tenor Mario Lanza, whose name the log records for this episode.
December 6, 1949 The Post Office Breaks Luigi's Christmas Present to Mama Listen (MP3)
December 13, 1949 (untitled) Listen (MP3)
December 20, 1949 Gifts for Pasquale Listen (MP3)
The 1949 Christmas broadcast.
December 27, 1949 New Year's Phone Call Listen (MP3)

1950

January 3, 1950 Pietro Needs an Overcoat Listen (MP3)
January 10, 1950 Luigi's First Citizenship Papers Listen (MP3)
January 17, 1950 Cold Season Listen (MP3)
January 24, 1950 Using Television to Increase Business Listen (MP3)
January 31, 1950 Flunking the Final Exam Listen (MP3)
February 7, 1950 The Abraham Lincoln Letter Listen (MP3)
February 14, 1950 Valentine's Date at the Pump Room Listen (MP3)
The series' Valentine's Day broadcast.
February 21, 1950 George Washington Radio Contest Listen (MP3)
February 28, 1950 Miss Spalding's Open House Party Listen (MP3)
March 7, 1950 Income Tax Season Listen (MP3)
March 14, 1950 Big Brothers of America Listen (MP3)
March 21, 1950 Rosa or the Park Listen (MP3)
March 28, 1950 Luigi Finds a Wallet Listen (MP3)
April 4, 1950 The Traffic Light Listen (MP3)
April 11, 1950 Basco Is a Good Name Listen (MP3)
A special episode aired live from the Milwaukee Arena in Wisconsin, dedicated to the elimination of discrimination.
April 18, 1950 (untitled)
April 25, 1950 $50 Donation to the Boys Club Gym Listen (MP3)
May 2, 1950 Smoothies Cough Syrup Guarantee Listen (MP3)
May 9, 1950 $200 Orchids for Mother's Day Listen (MP3)
The 1950 Mother's Day broadcast.
May 16, 1950 Future American, 1953 Listen (MP3)
May 23, 1950 Taking a Picture of Rose Listen (MP3)
May 30, 1950 Luigi's Antiques Are Auctioned Off Listen (MP3)
June 6, 1950 Party Line Troubles Listen (MP3)
June 13, 1950 Luigi Stands Up to Pasquale Listen (MP3)
July 4, 1950 July 4th Parade Listen (MP3)
The 1950 Independence Day broadcast.
August 15, 1950 Fire in the Store Listen (MP3)
August 22, 1950 First Train Ride - Business Trip to Buffalo Listen (MP3)
August 29, 1950 (untitled)
September 5, 1950 Luigi Sells Ice Cream Listen (MP3)
September 12, 1950 Lonely Luigi Listen (MP3)
September 19, 1950 Crusade for Freedom Speech Listen (MP3)
Built around the Crusade for Freedom, the campaign then raising money for the fledgling Radio Free Europe.
September 26, 1950 Trolley Transfer Listen (MP3)
October 3, 1950 Luigi Gives Blood Listen (MP3)
October 10, 1950 Day in New York with Frank Sinatra Listen (MP3)
A broadcast tied to Frank Sinatra, whose name the log records for this episode.
October 17, 1950 Pasquale Hires a Tutor Listen (MP3)
October 24, 1950 Antique Dealers of America Association Listen (MP3)
October 31, 1950 Right to Vote Taken Away Listen (MP3)
November 7, 1950 Luigi Opens His Barber Shop Listen (MP3)
November 14, 1950 Headaches or Heartaches Listen (MP3)
November 21, 1950 Moonlighting at the Daisy Jones Pie Factory Listen (MP3)
November 28, 1950 Not Counted by the Census Bureau Listen (MP3)
December 5, 1950 Lost in Chicago Listen (MP3)
December 12, 1950 Luigi Joins Record Collector's Club Listen (MP3)
December 19, 1950 A Christmas Present for Pasquale Listen (MP3)
The 1950 Christmas broadcast.
December 26, 1950 A Visit from the Immagration Service Listen (MP3)

1951

January 2, 1951 Ice Skating Party at the Lake Listen (MP3)
January 9, 1951 Queen Sheba's Iceberg Listen (MP3)
January 16, 1951 Luigi Deposits a California Check Listen (MP3)
January 23, 1951 Luigi Refuses to Talk to Pasquale Listen (MP3)
January 30, 1951 Graduating from 2a to 2b Listen (MP3)
February 6, 1951 Luigi Finds Out He Has Tonsillitis Listen (MP3)
February 13, 1951 Luigi Has His Tonsils Removed Listen (MP3)
February 20, 1951 Luigi Puts a Negro in His Play Listen (MP3)
Logged by the canonical OTR record as a notably pointed commentary on prejudice.
February 27, 1951 Luigi Becomes a Gas Station Attendant Listen (MP3)
March 6, 1951 Luigi's Mail Order Suit Listen (MP3)
March 13, 1951 (untitled)
March 20, 1951 The Spring Walk Listen (MP3)
March 27, 1951 April Fool's Joke Listen (MP3)
April 3, 1951 (untitled)
April 10, 1951 (untitled)
April 17, 1951 Bosco-Pasquale Lifetime Shoelace Company Listen (MP3)
April 24, 1951 Miss Spaulding Resigns Listen (MP3)
May 1, 1951 A Date with the Librarian Listen (MP3)
May 8, 1951 Horse and Wagon Delivery Service Listen (MP3)
May 15, 1951 I Want to Be an American Day Listen (MP3)
May 22, 1951 Rosa's Makeover for Antique Dealer's Dance Listen (MP3)
May 29, 1951 How to Make Minestrone Soup Listen (MP3)
June 5, 1951 (untitled)
June 12, 1951 Luigi Becomes a Soda Jerk Listen (MP3)
June 19, 1951 Luige Decides to Paint His Own Safety Zones Listen (MP3)
June 26, 1951 Luigi Throws a Party for Salesmen Listen (MP3)
July 3, 1951 Fourth of July Parade Listen (MP3)
The 1951 Independence Day broadcast.
August 28, 1951 Schultz and Olson Not in Luigi's Class Listen (MP3)
September 4, 1951 Naming the O'reily's Baby Contest Listen (MP3)
September 11, 1951 Luigi's Block Party Listen (MP3)
September 18, 1951 Luigi Isn't in the Phone Book Listen (MP3)
September 25, 1951 Go West, Young Man Listen (MP3)
October 2, 1951 Mama Thinks Luigi Is a Millionaire Listen (MP3)
October 9, 1951 'why Was My Face Red?' Contest Listen (MP3)
October 16, 1951 Luigi's Dun & Bradstreet Rating Listen (MP3)
October 23, 1951 Luigi, Square Dance Caller Listen (MP3)
A broadcast tied to Western bandleader Spade Cooley, whose name the log records for this episode.
October 30, 1951 Trick or Treat Listen (MP3)
The series' Halloween broadcast.
November 6, 1951 Luigi Opens Up New Antique Store Listen (MP3)
November 13, 1951 Miss Spaulding Off for a Week - Mr. Hines Takes Over Listen (MP3)
November 20, 1951 Luigi's Thanksgiving Dinner for America Listen (MP3)
The 1951 Thanksgiving broadcast.
November 27, 1951 (untitled)
December 4, 1951 (untitled)
December 11, 1951 (untitled)
December 18, 1951 (untitled)
December 25, 1951 A Christmas Present for Pasquale Listen (MP3)
The 1951 Christmas Day broadcast.

1952

January 1, 1952 Insurance for Everything Listen (MP3)
January 8, 1952 Luigi Takes Rosa to the Movies Listen (MP3)
January 15, 1952 Rosa Attends Luigi's Night School Class Listen (MP3)
January 22, 1952 Rosa Goes to the Head of the Class Listen (MP3)
January 29, 1952 High Standard of Living Listen (MP3)
February 5, 1952 Homesick Listen (MP3)
February 12, 1952 The Toledo Weighing Machine & Honest Abe Listen (MP3)
February 19, 1952 (untitled)
February 26, 1952 Civil Defense Job Listen (MP3)
March 4, 1952 Luigi May Lose His Home Listen (MP3)
March 11, 1952 Income Tax Problems Listen (MP3)
March 18, 1952 Luigi Saves Enough to Buy a Car Listen (MP3)
March 25, 1952 Three Little Words Listen (MP3)
April 1, 1952 April Fool's Joke Listen (MP3)
An April Fool's episode that opened with primary-election results and featured guest columnist Louella Parsons.
April 8, 1952 Easter Birthday Party Listen (MP3)
The series' Easter broadcast.
April 15, 1952 Insomenia Listen (MP3)
April 22, 1952 No Girl for the Dance Listen (MP3)
April 29, 1952 Luigi Wants to Help Out His Country Listen (MP3)
May 6, 1952 (untitled)
May 13, 1952 (untitled)
May 20, 1952 (untitled)
May 27, 1952 (untitled)
August 12, 1952 (untitled)
August 19, 1952 (untitled)
August 26, 1952 (untitled)
September 2, 1952 Spending the Day at the Beach Listen (MP3)
September 9, 1952 (untitled)
September 16, 1952 Luigi Faces a Lawsuit Listen (MP3)
September 23, 1952 Horowitz' 25th Wedding Anniversary Listen (MP3)
September 30, 1952 Paying the Rent with a Rare Quarter Listen (MP3)
October 7, 1952 Luigi Wants to Buy a Refrigerator Listen (MP3)
October 14, 1952 (untitled)
October 21, 1952 Free Lunch Bazaar at School Listen (FLAC)
October 28, 1952 Luigi Sends the Government an Idea Listen (MP3)
November 11, 1952 Luigi's Cousin from Italy Listen (MP3)
November 18, 1952 Luigi Wins 'this Is Chicago' Essay Contest Listen (MP3)
November 25, 1952 (untitled)
December 2, 1952 (untitled)
December 9, 1952 (untitled)
December 16, 1952 (untitled)
December 23, 1952 (untitled)
December 30, 1952 (untitled)

1953

January 6, 1953 Miss Spaulding Sends Luigi Home from School Listen (MP3)
January 13, 1953 Luigi Goes to the Opera Listen (MP3)
January 20, 1953 (untitled)
January 27, 1953 Luigi Worried About School Safety Zone Listen (MP3)
February 3, 1953 Miss Spaulding Is Assigned a Different Class Listen (MP3)
February 10, 1953 Luigi Feels Like a Failure Listen (MP3)
February 17, 1953 (untitled)
February 24, 1953 (untitled)
March 3, 1953 (untitled)

1954

1954-05-00 Mother Writes for Luigi to Come Home Listen (MP3)
The Story

Life with Luigi was CBS radio's gentle immigrant comedy, on the air from 1948 to 1953. J. Carrol Naish -- an Irish-American who became inseparable from the part -- starred as Luigi Basco, a newly arrived Italian who runs a little antique shop in Chicago and frames every episode as a letter read aloud to his mother back in Italy, signing off 'your lovin-a son-a, Luigi Basco, the li'l immigrant.' Much of the comedy unfolds at the night-school Americanization class Luigi attends alongside immigrants from every other country, while his landlord Pasquale (Alan Reed, later the voice of Fred Flintstone) endlessly schemes to marry him off to daughter Rosa. Created by Cy Howard right after My Friend Irma, the show drew a large audience -- and, eventually, controversy over the broad ethnic humor that would end its television spin-off. Warm, formulaic, and unmistakably of its era.

Full story — coming soon while it's being curated.
Gallery
Art pending