Theater of the Mind
Life with Luigi
168 episodes · 1948–1953 · CBS · Comedy

Play Life with Luigi on Radio Days
J. Carrol Naish played Luigi Basco, an Italian immigrant who ran an antique shop in Chicago, and each show was a letter home to his mother in Italy. Alan Reed was Pasquale, his landlord, forever trying to marry him off to his daughter Rosa, and Hans Conried was Schultz, a classmate in Luigi's citizenship class. Cy Howard created it. It ran on CBS from September 1948 to March 1953, with Wrigley's Gum as sponsor from 1950.
Sources: Life with Luigi, Wikipedia
Episodes
Tap a year to see its episodes, then a title to play it on Radio Days.
19489 episodes
- Luigi Discovers America
Probably the first show: Luigi arrives in Chicago, opens his antique shop, dodges Rosa and nearly sells his prized George Washington statue. - Luigi Finds Stolen Diamond Ring
Luigi finds a diamond ring outside his store, and somehow it ends up on Rosa's finger. - Luigi Attends PTA Meeting
Luigi plans a speech for the PTA meeting. - Luigi Joins Hospital Plan
Luigi joins a two-cents-a-day hospital plan, and five minutes later he's in the hospital. - Damage Claim on Broken Mirror
Luigi borrows $200 from Pasquale for an antique mirror, and it arrives broken. - Santa Claus Luigi
It's Christmas, and Luigi takes a job as a department-store Santa Claus. - Colonial Antique Silver Cup
Jerry Haendiges' Vintage Radio Logs doesn't list this date, but lists the same title on December 21, 1948. - Antique Colonial Silver Cup
Luigi's colonial silver cup is not for sale. - Luigi Needs to Get Married
Jerry Haendiges' Vintage Radio Logs lists the same title on this date.
194948 episodes
- First Date with American Girl
Luigi takes an American girl to the most expensive place in town with $1.80 in his pocket. - Surprise Party
A surprise party. - Character References
The night-school class holds an essay contest, and Luigi needs a character reference. - Luigi Receives Erroneous Phone Bill
Charged for a long-distance call to California, Luigi takes on the telephone company. - Making a Speech with a Fever
Luigi has a cold before his big speech and, on Schultz's advice, ends up at a veterinarian. - Luigi Needs Drivers License
Jerry Haendiges' Vintage Radio Logs lists a broadcast on this date but gives no title. - Income Tax Problems (1949)
A letter from the tax department: has Luigi paid his 'E Pluribus Unum' tax? - The Raffle
Luigi's classmates hold a raffle to send him home to visit his mama. - Luigi's First Car
Luigi buys a car and promptly has an accident. - Luigi Goes to Dance School
After a dancing lesson, Luigi takes an American girl to a dance. - Luigi Tries to Return a Nightgown
Luigi tries to exchange the black silk nightgown he bought for his mama. - Rosa Must Lose Weight
Diet time. - The Electric Bill
Luigi gets a $27 electric bill. Mamma mia! - Plans a Block Party
Luigi wants to hold a block party, but Pasquale and Schultz aren't eager. - Luigi's Toothache
Luigi has a toothache. - Super Salesman
Luigi wants to become a better salesman. - The Wedding
Luigi is finally going to marry Rosa, or is he? - Race Track
Jerry Haendiges' Vintage Radio Logs lists the same title on this date. - Papas Coat Pocket
Jerry Haendiges' Vintage Radio Logs lists the same title on this date. - Pasquale's Birthday Party
Luigi wants to throw Pasquale a birthday party but has no money. - Life Insurance Policy
Luigi takes out a $50,000 life insurance policy. - July 4th Parade (1949)
A big parade is coming for the Fourth of July. - The Registered Letter
Is Luigi's store breaking the fire code? - At the Beach
A day at the beach. - Homesick (1949)
Luigi is homesick and plans a visit to his mama in Italy. - X-Ray Pictures
Luigi goes to have his picture taken for his mama, and Pasquale arranges X-rays instead. - A Date with Shirley
Luigi has a date with Shirley. - Sore Thumb
Luigi hurts his thumb on a bus, and Pasquale gets him a lawyer. - The Driver's License
Luigi wants a driver's license. - Go West, Young Man (1949)
Luigi plans to leave Chicago for California. - Hit and Run Witness
Luigi witnesses a hit-and-run. - Amature Talent Show
Jerry Haendiges' Vintage Radio Logs doesn't list this date, but lists the same title on September 11, 1949. - Luigi Tries to Become a Singer
After hearing Arthur Godfrey on the radio, Luigi decides to become a crooner. - Midget Radio Lawsuit
A little radio bought on credit leads to a lawsuit. - Midget Radio Law Suit
Jerry Haendiges' Vintage Radio Logs doesn't list this date, but lists the same title on September 18, 1949. - Block Party
Halsted Street holds a block party. - Stock Investments
The show moves to Tuesday nights, and Luigi invests in the stock market. - Luigi Throws A Party at the Store
Jerry Haendiges' Vintage Radio Logs lists the same title on this date. - Columbus Day
Jerry Haendiges' Vintage Radio Logs lists the same title on this date. - The City Zoning Commission
A letter from the zoning commission: will the city evict Luigi? - The Football Game
Luigi goes to his first American football game. - No Electioneering
Luigi's store is a polling place, and he and Pasquale are arrested for electioneering. - Thanksgiving Celebration
Not invited to Pasquale's for Thanksgiving, Luigi and a friend have a feast of their own. - Mario Lanza Record Album
Mario Lanza helps Luigi raise money for a children's recreation center, and Gracie Allen drops in. - Post Office Breaks Luigi's Christmas Present to Mama
Jerry Haendiges' Vintage Radio Logs lists the same title on this date. - Car Insurance Policy
Jerry Haendiges' Vintage Radio Logs lists a broadcast on this date but gives no title. - Gifts for Pasquale
Luigi's savings for Pasquale's Christmas present disappear. - New Year's Phone Call
Luigi wants to phone his mama in Italy on New Year's Eve but hasn't the money.
195043 episodes
- Pietro Needs an Overcoat
Uncle Pietro in Italy needs a warm coat. - Luigi's First Citizenship Papers
The day comes for Luigi to get his first citizenship papers. A deputy commissioner of immigration speaks from Washington. - Cold Season
Pasquale's cold can only be cured by Luigi marrying Rosa, so Luigi heads for a marriage bureau and ends up at the stockyards. - Using Television to Increase Business
Business is bad. Should Luigi put in a television set? - Flunking the Final Exam on Purpose
The night-school class goes on a 'stupid strike' to avoid being promoted away from Miss Spaulding. - The Abraham Lincoln Letter
Luigi has a letter written by Abraham Lincoln. - Valentine's Date at the Pump Room
A Valentine's date with a waitress at the most expensive place in town. - George Washington Radio Contest
The class puts on a radio play about George Washington, written by Pasquale. - Miss Spaulding's Open House Party
At Miss Spaulding's party, Pasquale pushes Luigi to marry a girl from the old country: Rosa. - Income Tax Season
Pasquale uses a Monopoly game to inflate Luigi's income for the tax collector. - Big Brothers of America
Luigi is to receive a Big Brothers award, and Pasquale convinces him he won't. - Luigi Enlists in the Marines
Pasquale threatens eviction, so Luigi joins the Marines. - Luigi Finds a Wallet
Luigi turns in a wallet he found, and the owner says $100 is missing. - The Traffic Light
Luigi campaigns to get the city to put a traffic light on Halsted Street. - Basco Is a Good Name
From the Milwaukee Arena: Luigi's new boss wants him to change his name. - Donation for Gym Equipment
Luigi needs $50 for the boys' club gym. - Soothos Cough Syrup Guarantee
Luigi wants double his money back on a cough-syrup guarantee. - Two Hundred Dollar Orchids for Mother's Day
Orchids for Mother's Day, at $200? - Future American, 1953
Luigi gives a speech for I Am an American Day. - Taking a Picture of Rosa
Pasquale sent Luigi's mama a flattering photo of Rosa, so Luigi wants to send a real one. - Luigi's Antiques Are Auctioned Off
Pasquale evicts Luigi and auctions off his antiques. - Party Line Troubles
Jerry Haendiges' Vintage Radio Logs lists the same title on this date. - Luigi Stands Up to Pasquale
Jerry Haendiges' Vintage Radio Logs lists the same title on this date. - July 4th Parade (1950)
Luigi goes to his first Fourth of July parade. - Luigi Has a Fire in the Store
A $33 fire in the store becomes a $1,500 claim in Pasquale's hands. - Business Trip to Buffalo
Luigi plans a buying trip to Buffalo, like a big businessman. - Luigi Sells Ice Cream
Luigi sells ice cream from a horse-drawn wagon. - Luigi Is Lonely
Luigi is lonely, and Pasquale has a cure in mind. - Crusade for Freedom Speech
Luigi is chosen to speak to ten thousand students for the Crusade for Freedom. - Trolley Transfer
Luigi rides the trolley and gets a transfer. - Luigi Gives Blood
Luigi donates blood, several times. - A Day in New York with Frank Sinatra
From New York, Luigi meets Frank Sinatra. - Pasquale Hires a Tutor
Pasquale visits night school, sure he can learn more in a week than Luigi has in two years. - Antique Dealers of America Association
Luigi is invited to join the antique dealers' association. - Right to Vote Taken Away
Luigi lectures his friends about voting and ends up in court. - Luigi Opens His Barber Shop
Jerry Haendiges' Vintage Radio Logs lists the same title on this date. - Headaches or Heartaches
Mama has a headache, or a heartache because Luigi isn't married. - Moonlighting at the Daisy Jones Pie Factory
Luigi gets a job at a pie factory. - Not Counted in the Census
Luigi wasn't counted in the census. - Lost in Chicago
Jerry Haendiges' Vintage Radio Logs lists the same title on this date. - Luigi Joins the Record Collector's Club
Luigi joins a record collectors' club, with Caruso his favorite. - A Christmas Present for Pasquale (1950)
Pasquale takes Luigi's savings just as Luigi plans his Christmas present. - A Visit from the Immigration Service
The immigration service pays Luigi a visit.
195137 episodes
- Ice Skating Party at the Lake
Luigi and his friends go ice skating. - Luigi's Screenplay: The Queen of Sheba's Iceberg
Luigi writes a movie story and dreams of $25,000. - Luigi Deposits a California Check
Luigi gets an out-of-state check from California. - Luigi Refuses to Talk to Pasquale
Luigi refuses to speak to Pasquale. - Graduating from 2A to 2B
Luigi is being promoted at night school. - Luigi Finds Out He Has Tonsillitis
Luigi has tonsillitis. - Luigi Has His Tonsils Removed
Luigi goes into the hospital to have his tonsils out. - Luigi's George Washington Play
For Brotherhood Week, Luigi stages a play about George Washington and casts a Black actor in it. - Luigi Becomes a Gas Station Attendant
Luigi gets a job at a gas station. - The Mail-Order Suit
Luigi tries to sell a banjo clock to a millionaire and buys a mail-order suit. - The Spring Walk
A spring walk. - April Fool's Joke (1951)
April Fool's Day is coming. - Basco-Pasquale Lifetime Shoelace Company
The Basco-Pasquale Lifetime Shoelace Company opens for business. - Miss Spaulding Resigns
Miss Spaulding plans to quit teaching night school. - A Date with the Librarian
Luigi has a date with a librarian at the carnival. - Horse and Wagon Delivery Service
Luigi delivers antiques by horse and wagon. - I Want to Be an American Day
Luigi celebrates I Am an American Day. - Rosa's Make-Over for the Antique Dealer's Dance
Rosa gets ready for the antique dealers' dance, with Luigi as her unwilling date. - How to Make Minestrone Soup
Luigi is not impressed by a Chicago restaurant's minestrone. - Luigi Becomes a Soda Jerk
Luigi becomes a soda jerk. - Luigi Decides to Paint His Own Safety Zones
Luigi decides the street needs a safety zone, so he paints one. - Luigi Throws a Party for His Salesmen
His friends are busy, so Luigi throws a Fourth of July party for door-to-door salesmen. - July 4th Parade (1951)
The Fourth of July parade. The last show of the season. - Schultz and Olson Not in Luigi's Class
Schultz and Olsen are no longer in Luigi's class, and the school holds an essay contest. - Naming the O'Reilly's Baby
A neighborhood contest to name the O'Reillys' baby. - Luigi's Block Party
Luigi throws a block party for Halsted Street. - Luigi Isn't in the Phone Book
Luigi is upset that he isn't in the phone book. - Go West, Young Man (1951)
Luigi decides to move to California. - Mama Thinks Luigi Is a Millionaire
Luigi's mama thinks he's a millionaire. - 'Why Was My Face Red' Contest
Luigi enters an embarrassing-moments contest. - Luigi's Dun and Bradstreet Rating
Luigi gets a credit rating. - Luigi the Square Dance Caller
Luigi becomes a square-dance caller. - Trick or Treat
A Halloween show. - Luigi Opens Up a New Antique Store
Luigi plans to open a second antique store. - Miss Spaulding Off for a Week
Miss Spaulding will be away, and a substitute takes the class. - Luigi's Thanksgiving Dinner for America
With no family for Thanksgiving, Luigi invites America to be his guest. - A Christmas Present for Pasquale (1951)
Luigi plans a surprise Christmas present for Pasquale but seems to have lost the money.
195226 episodes
- Insurance for Everything
Luigi falls on the ice, and Pasquale sees an insurance opportunity. - Luigi Takes Rosa to the Movies
Luigi takes Rosa to the movies. - Rosa Attends Luigi's Night Class
Rosa joins Luigi's night-school class. - Rosa Goes to the Head of the Class
Luigi tries to get Rosa out of his class, maybe by proposing. - High Standard of Living
Pasquale explains America's high standard of living to Luigi. - Homesick (1952)
Luigi is homesick for his mama in Italy. - Toledo Weighing Machine and Honest Abe
Jerry Haendiges' Vintage Radio Logs lists the same title on this date. - Civil Defense Job
Luigi joins Civil Defense. - Luigi May Lose His Home
Pasquale threatens eviction, so Luigi takes a job in a steel plant. - Income Tax Problems (1952)
A letter from Internal Revenue: has Luigi paid his 'E Pluribus Unum' tax? - Luigi Saves Enough to Buy a Car
Luigi has saved enough to buy a car. - Three Little Words
The night-school class writes essays on the three most important words. - April Fool's Joke (1952)
Pasquale's April Fool's joke accuses Luigi of opening his mail. - Easter Birthday Party
Luigi plans an Easter feast, and Pasquale sees to it there's no food. - Insomnia
Luigi has insomnia, and Pasquale has a cure. - No Girl for the Dance
Luigi has a date for the antique dealers' dance. - Luigi Wants to Help Out His Country
Luigi wants to serve his country as a paratrooper. - Spending the Day at the Beach
The night-school class spends the day at the beach. - Luigi Faces a Lawsuit
A pedestrian trips over Luigi's statue of General Grant and sues. - Horowitz's 25th Wedding Anniversary
A surprise party for the Horowitzes' twenty-fifth anniversary. - Paying the Rent with a Rare Quarter
Pasquale tricks Luigi into paying rent with a counterfeit quarter, which turns out to be real and rare. - Luigi Wants to Buy a Refrigerator
Luigi shops for his first electric refrigerator but keeps buying ice from the iceman. - Free Lunch Bazaar at School
Plans for a night-school bazaar fall through. - Luigi Sends the Government an Idea
Luigi suggests bigger Route 66 signs in Chicago. - Luigi's Cousin from Italy
Luigi's cousin Mario arrives from Italy. - Luigi Wins Essay Contest
Luigi wins the This Is Chicago essay contest.
19535 episodes
- Miss Spaulding Sends Luigi Home from School
Miss Spaulding sends Luigi home from school. - Luigi Goes to the Opera
Luigi goes to the opera. - Luigi Worried About School Safety Zone
Luigi wants a safety zone by the neighborhood school. - Miss Spaulding Is Assigned a Different Class
Miss Spaulding is assigned to a different class. - Luigi Feels Like a Failure
Luigi feels like a failure, but he'll never sell his Lincoln painting on Lincoln's birthday.