Old Mother Riley

Arthur develops the "BRIDGET'S NIGHT OUT" sketch, written about a mother - Mrs O'Flynn - waiting for her wayward daughter - Bridget (played by Kitty) - to return home, which they perform at the Royal Variety Performance to great laughter and applause.

Lucan and McShane return to The Argyle Theatre, Birkenhead, for a week to top the bill for the first time.

1935

Lucan and McShane perform their famous sketch "BRIDGET'S NIGHT OUT" for the film "STARS ON PARADE" - a compilation film of British music hall acts of the time.

1936

The film STARS ON PARADE is released in January 1936.

1937

The first film in the highly sucessful Old Mother Riley series - "OLD MOTHER RILEY" is released in August 1937. The low-budget film was a big box office sucess, being particularly popular with northern audiences and especially with children.

1938

The second film in the series - "OLD MOTHER RILEY IN PARIS" is released in November 1938, and proved to be another box office sucess. The film was based on another Lucan sketch - "THE STEPWASHER", which the duo performed at The London Palladium.

Lucan and McShane continue to play the variety halls, commanding £700 per week. A substantial amount at the time.

The couple also perform "ALADDIN" in a highly sucessful Christmas pantomime season touring South Africa, returning to Britain in March 1939, to commence filming the third film, 'Old Mother Riley MP'.

1939

A busy year.

The third and fourth films in the series - "OLD MOTHER RILY MP" and "OLD MOTHER RILEY JOINS UP" are released.

The duo also play to capacity audiences in a thirty week tour with a review called "OLD MOTHER RILEY COMES TO TOWN".

War declared on Germany on 3 September 1939.

Continued

This site was created and is maintained by Martyn Peter Wilkinson.

Quotes and images not my own remain in the copyright of the originator or else in the public domain. The information contained in this web site is intended for entertainment, educational, historical, and informational purposes only.

Arthur Lucan/Old Mother Riley Yahoo! Discussion eGroup...
to join now enter yor email address in the box below

1940

Lucan and McShane's first radio broadcast for the BBC, at the Chiswick Empire, on 13 August 1940, performing "OLD MOTHER RILEY COMES TO TOWN".A further broadcast follows as guests on a Forces Programme, as guests of Jack "Dixon of Dock Green" Warner on 23 November 1940.

Click here for more on Lucan & McShane's radio career.

1941

Another very busy year.

The film "OLD MOTHER RILEY'S GHOST" is released. This is the only film where Arthur Lucan is seen a man. In addition to his traditional Old Mother Riley role, he plays a villain who disguises himself as her.

In February, the duo tour the country for fourteen weeks with a new show - "OLD MOTHER RILEY PAYS US A VISIT".

On 9 April 1941 the Queen's Theatre, South Shields, is destroyed by the German Luftwaffe, and the duo lose all of their props, costumes and scenery.

Click here for more on this.

A further ten week tour of the show is planned for the autumn.

The duo record two radio shows for the BBC - "OLD MOTHER RILEY TAKES TO THE AIR" and "OLD MOTHER RILEY'S CHRISTMAS PARTY"

The duo also shoot their new film - "OLD MOTHER RILEY'S CIRCUS".

1942

Another series of "OLD MOTHER RILEY TAKES TO THE AIR" is broadcast on the radio between June and August 1942.

Work begins on the next flim - "OLD MOTHER RILEY, DETECTIVE", which is released in 1943.

1943

"OLD MOTHER RILEY -OVERSEAS" is filmed and a number of radio programmes are recorded by Lucan & McShane throughout the year.

1944

The couple continue their radio sucess with a number of further shows recorded in the first half of the year.

"OLD MOTHER RILEY AT HOME" begins production in December 1944.

Continued

CONTACT THIS SITE....

Click Here

Important - please remove the "no spam" in the email address before sending.