Life with the Lyons

[graemestevenson]

Hi. Just heard today that Richard Lyon ( Life with the Lyons ) died in October last year. He was 79 years old.
Graeme ( ORCA )

[Mark McKay]

LWTL fans might be interested to know some US prototypes of this show are available from the OTRR Library. Look under "Hollywood Theater" and "Movietown Radio Theater" for titles "Pranks For Parents", "A Book On Rock Gardening" and "It's Not Cricket".

[graemestevenson]

Hi Mark. Thanks for the info, will check it out.
Cheers ! Graeme

[Stephen Byers]

Don't forget the LWTL film at Archive.org

[Stephen Byers]

Listings of extant programmes here ...

www.otrcat.com/p/life-with-the-lyons

====

[John Green]

May 26, 2016 19:31:49 GMT Stephen Byers said:

Don't forget the LWTL film at Archive.org

Life With the Lyons (US title Family Affair) 1954.
And 'The Lyons in Paris' (US title The Lyons Abroad) 1955.

[Alan Jeffries]

I have one episode of the radio show on tape. Very funny. It was part of a series called Six of the Best. I know they did a Goon Show, but no idea of the other 4. They were all introduces by Ted Ray. Do those intros still exist? If not, I have at least two of them.

Alan

[Peter Stirling]

Bob Monkhouse did an interview with Mum and Dad Lyons in his garden for his "Mad Movies" show (known to exist) circa 1965.

[Stephen Byers]

Apparently a hoard of recordings was found a few years ago. They were passed on to the BBC, who then aired them on R4X for at least 2 batches.

About to start another run:

www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0bcv19g/episodes/guide

BBC Radio 4 Extra
Life With The Lyons

* I Don't Know What to Get Her
Barbara is worried about her brother’s rather risque new girlfriend.
Wed 24 Mar 2021 08:00
BBC Radio 4 Extra

* Let Them Eat Cake
A cake competition leads to misunderstandings and kitchen misadventures.
Wed 17 Mar 2021 08:00
BBC Radio 4 Extra

* Accidents Will Happen
When Bebe runs into the car of boxer Freddie Mills, Ben tries to teach her a lesson.
Wednesday 08:00
BBC Radio 4 Extra

* Nature Boy
Ben decides that the family needs to try a simpler lifestyle.

* Coming Home
The family return from holiday and get embroiled in a car chase.

* Once A Ham…
A stage-struck Barbara ropes friends and family into A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

* You Can’t Get Blood Out Of A Stone
Barbara invites an old and handsome flame to the Lyon household and Ben is jealous.

* How To Be A Good Father
Ben Lyons questions his parenting skill after flunking a magazine questionnaire

* 'Twas The Night Before
Bebe welcomes Nick into her home as the family attempt to hang up festive decorations.

* Ben's Birthday
It’s Ben’s birthday. But will he pleased with his presents? From February 1953.

* The Barbecue
How will the All-American family’s new ‘barbecue’ go down with the neighbours?

* Christmas Shopping
When the Lyons family head to a department store at Christmas, Ben’s left holding a baby.

* The Rising Son
Who will get that job? Ben Lyon and radio star Ted Ray's sons go head-to-head.

* Dial Special Branch
Sinister foreign agents and mistaken identities spark further discombobulation.

* Three Blind Dates
The family have to entertain Ben's boss, but will they all get along?

* An Afternoon on the Thames
Barbara and her boyfriend Derek struggle to enjoy some time alone on a river trip.

* The New Job
An ad in the local paper lands Richard a job as his father's office boy.

* Danger, Richard at Work
Ben has a business meeting on the golf course. But will he end up feeling below par?

* Back in the Autumn
The family are planning their summer holiday, but will it be plain sailing?

* Lovely to Look At
Tex arrives for the Queen's Coronation. Will he succumb to Olde England's charms?

* The Play's the Thing
Barbara is playing Ophelia in the school show. Could this be her big break?

* Time Marches Back
Ben needs jokes for his big speech at the Festival of Britain. Can the family help?

* Roaming Scandals
Holiday shambles as Bebe heads for Loch Lomond and Ben plans a surprise.

* Home Again
Father Ben sparks family chaos after losing the keys to their house. Stars Bebe Daniels.

* A Crooner in the House
Daughter Barbara is in love with Ronnie Harris, and father Ben is not happy.

====

[Stephen Byers]

Mar 5, 2021 23:41:02 GMT Stephen Byers said:

Listings of extant programmes here ...

www.otrcat.com/p/life-with-the-lyons

====

Volume 1 - 81 shows - total playtime 39 hours 8 minutes

LWTL 501105 Voyage Home.mp3

LWTL 501112 Fairy Cakes.mp3
LWTL 501119 Is There A Doctor In The House.mp3
LWTL 501231 Under The Table.mp3
LWTL 510107 It's A Man's World.mp3
LWTL 510121 Ben Bluebeard.mp3
LWTL 510128 Ben Does It Again.mp3
LWTL 510204 That Old Friend.mp3
LWTL 510205 That Old Friend.mp3
LWTL 510304 Ben Holds The Baby.mp3
LWTL 510927 Home Again.mp3
LWTL 511004 Life Of The Party, The.mp3
LWTL 511122 It's A Wise Father.mp3
LWTL 520103 Fine Romance, A W Dick Bentley.mp3
LWTL 520110 Wife's Birthday, The.mp3
LWTL 520117 Family Trouble.mp3
LWTL 520124 Tree Of Knowledge.mp3
LWTL 520306 Rocks In Your Garden.mp3
LWTL 520313 Home Sweet Home.mp3
LWTL 520320 Upper Set, The.mp3
LWTL 520512 Duel A Song, A.mp3
LWTL 521114 Home Again.mp3
LWTL 521121 Hole In The Road.mp3
LWTL 521128 Mr Jones Is Missing.mp3
LWTL 521205 Duel The Son, A.mp3
LWTL 530227 Royal Show.mp3
LWTL 530306 Let Sleeping Dogs Lie.mp3
LWTL 530313 How To Be A Good Father.mp3
LWTL 531119 Nature Boy.mp3
LWTL 531126 Let The Men Do It.mp3
LWTL 531203 Come To The Fair.mp3
LWTL 531210 No Rest For Ben.mp3
LWTL 531217 Christmas Shopping.mp3
LWTL 531224 Twas The Night Before Christmas.mp3
LWTL 531231 Who Gave Me That.mp3
LWTL 540107 Once Upon A Mime.mp3
LWTL 540114 Love Sneaks Up On Richard Lyon.mp3
LWTL 540121 Fathers Day.mp3
LWTL 540128 Let The Kids Do It.mp3
LWTL 540418 I Hear You Calling Me.mp3
LWTL 540425 Unlucky Winner, The.mp3
LWTL 550127 My Hat.mp3
LWTL 560126 Robins Birthday.mp3
LWTL 560202 For Men Only.mp3
LWTL 560209 Comic Valentine, The.mp3
LWTL 560216 Intruders, The.mp3
LWTL 560301 Law The Lyons, The.mp3
LWTL 560322 Come Back Little Bebe.mp3
LWTL 560405 Double Trouble.mp3
LWTL 560412 Young Foolish.mp3
LWTL 560419 Garden Fete, The (Robert Beattie).mp3
LWTL 560426 It's Not Goodbye.mp3
LWTL 561111 Here Comes The Bride.mp3
LWTL 561118 Way To A Mans Heart, The.mp3
LWTL 561125 How Now Brown Cow.mp3
LWTL 561209 Barbara Buys A Bargain.mp3
LWTL 561216 Dont Give Me That.mp3
LWTL 561223 And A Merry Christmas To All.mp3
LWTL 561230 Star Is Born, A.mp3
LWTL 570106 Bend Be Beautiful.mp3
LWTL 570113 It's A Snap.mp3
LWTL 570120 You Are My Lucky Star.mp3
LWTL 570127 House Divided.mp3
LWTL 570324 Goin' Fishing.mp3
LWTL 570331 It's Mothering Sunday.mp3
LWTL 580202 Barbara's Dinner.mp3
LWTL 580209 Rising Son, The (w Ted Ray).mp3
LWTL 580216 Dial Special Branch.mp3
LWTL 580223 Keep Moving.mp3
LWTL 580413 First Fight, The.mp3
LWTL 580413.mp3
LWTL 590130 Voyage Home, The.mp3
LWTL 590202 Man From Texas, The.mp3
LWTL 590213 Lyon, Cub Reporter.mp3
LWTL 590220 Murder In Mind.mp3
LWTL 590227 Hold That Man (rpt).mp3
LWTL 590303 Put A Light In The Window (rpt).mp3
LWTL 590313 Set An Extra Place.mp3
LWTL 590320 Confused Cupid.mp3
LWTL 590327 Scroungers, The.mp3

LWTL 590403 This Was Your Wife.mp3

Volume 2 - 35 shows - total playtime 17 hours 4 minutes

LWTL 590410 Teddy Trouble.mp3

LWTL 590417 New Address, The.mp3
LWTL 590501 Trouble In Camp.mp3
LWTL 590508 Strike It Rich.mp3
LWTL 590515 Saying Goodbye W Vic Oliver.mp3
LWTL 590524 Colonel's Dilemna, The.mp3
LWTL 600224 Meddler, The.mp3
LWTL 600302 Unwelcome Guest, The.mp3
LWTL 600406 Weaker Sex, The.mp3
LWTL 600413 Stranger From Sorrento, The.mp3
LWTL 600417 House That Ben Built, The.mp3
LWTL 600522 Insure It.mp3
LWTL 600601 Big Fiddle, The.mp3
LWTL 600608 My Four Legged Friend.mp3
LWTL 610127 Sorry, The Lyons Engaged.mp3
LWTL 610203 External Triangle, The.mp3
LWTL 610210 Barbara's Birthday.mp3
LWTL 610217 Thanks For The Memory.mp3
LWTL 610224 Lyon In Sheeps Clothing.mp3
LWTL 610303 Along Came Patrick Barr.mp3
LWTL 610310 Dogs Tale, A.mp3
LWTL 610317 Whats Buzzin Cousin.mp3
LWTL 610324 No Holiday For Strings.mp3
LWTL 610421 Tree For Two.mp3
LWTL 610512 On The Wrong Side Of The InLaw.mp3

LWTL 610519 Roaming Scandals (Last Show).mp3

LWTL 580918 (TV) Who's Your Lady Friend.mp3
LWTL 581114 (TV) Danger, Woman At Work.mp3
LWTL 581128 (TV) Guest In The House, A.mp3
LWTL 600115 (TV) Confused Cupid, The.mp3
LWTL 600122 (TV) Teddy Boys' Picnic.mp3
LWTL 600219 (TV) Tease For Two.mp3
LWTL 600304 (TV) Chip Off The Old Blockhead.mp3
LWTL 600311 (TV) Nelson Touch, The.mp3
LWTL 600318 (TV) Sauce For The Goose.mp3

====

[Stephen Byers]

More here ...

archive.org/details/LifeWithTheLyons

====

[Richard Marple]

I assume John Lennon watched it at one time.

[T Morgan]

Or listened?

I'm a fan of the pop records Barbara Lyon made, which were re-issued on a CD shared with her co-star Ronnie Harris. I think I've seen the first Lyons film. Barbara had quite a sad end though, from what I can gather.

It looks like the series has a fairly high survival rate as 1950s BBC Radio comedies go. 107 out of 255 aired episodes appear to exist, based on the above information, and the episode guide here:
laughterlog.com/2009/02/15/radio-life-with-the-lyons/
Maybe it's because Ben Lyon had them all taped?

It had a similar lifespan to Ray's a Laugh, beginning the year after that and ending in the same year (maybe by the early 60s those shows were beginning to look dated?).

Interesting that three episodes were cancelled. I wonder if they made it as far as being recorded.
With the death of King George VI, programme schedules were rearranged. Radio Times lists the following episodes, none of which made it to air:
Trouble In The Waxworks (31-1-52)
A Tough Break (7-2-52)
This Won’t Hutt (14-2-52).

[darrenlee]

Is this an episode of Life with the Lyons?

www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b018j5j2

Maybe not aired since 2011 because it's filed under Dan Dare!

[T Morgan]

Mar 7, 2021 10:57:59 GMT darrenlee said:

Is this an episode of Life with the Lyons?

www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b018j5j2

Maybe not aired since 2011 because it's filed under Dan Dare!

Rather odd! It certainly sounds like Life With The Lyons.