Arthur Towle was in show business from 1900 when he left school until his dying day. He started as an "Irish" character comedian in British music halls; touring Ireland with this act in 1913, he met and married Kitty McShane (she was 15, he 26). They gradually evolved the act of "Old Mother Riley and her Daughter" (Arthur, in drag, playing the ...
In films, always worked in 'drag' as Old Mother Riley
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Quote
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I've got one foot in the grave, one foot in a bedsock, and I'm kicking the bucket with the other!
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Fact
1
In 2006, a new headstone was placed on his grave. The new inscription reads: Arthur Towle 1885 - 1954. Also known as Arthur Lucan. Old Mother Riley. "Matches Penny A Box. Stop Me And Strike One. I've Not Sold A Box Of Matches For 12 Months. My Shareholders Are Getting The Wind Up.".
2
One son, Donald Daniel Towle, born 2nd October 1915, in Dublin.
3
At the time of his death, Lucan was in talks to make a new film, "Old Mother Riley's Trip To Mars". A script had been written, and it was due to go into production in late spring 1954.
4
The relationship betweem Lucan and his wife/partner Kitty McShane became increasingly volatile. For the final films in the "Old Mother Riley" series, the director could not have both of them on the set at the same time. Their shots would be done seperately and edited together. For the final film in the series, "Mother Riley Meets the Vampire" (1952), McShane was replaced.
5
In 1954 Lucan was touring in a production of "Old Mother Riley Goes to Paris." On May 17th, while waiting to go on stage at the Tivoli Theatre in Hull, Lucan collapsed and died. He was buried in Hull's Eastern Cemetary.
6
In 1941, (as Old Mother Riley) he was named the second most popular British film star.
7
In 1934 Lucan and his wife Kitty McShane introduced "Bridget's Night Out" which became a classic act in the English music hall.
8
He was an accomplished pianist.
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He adopted the surname Lucan from a dairy in Dublin.
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Gravestone Inscription: Arthur Lucan, better known and beloved by all children as Old Mother Riley. Don't cry as you pass by, just say a prayer.
Actor
Title
Year
Status
Character
Vampire Over London
1952
Mrs. Riley
Jungle Treasure
1951
Old Mother Riley
Old Mother Riley, Headmistress
1950
Old Mother Riley
Old Mother Riley's New Venture
1949
Mrs. Riley
Old Mother Riley at Home
1945
Mrs. Riley
Old Mother Riley Overseas
1943
Mrs. Riley
Old Mother Riley Detective
1943
Mrs. Riley
Old Mother Riley's Circus
1941
Mrs. Riley
Old Mother Riley's Ghosts
1941
Mrs. Riley
Old Mother Riley in Business
1941
Mrs. Riley
Old Mother Riley in Society
1940
Mrs. Riley
Old Mother Riley Joins Up
1939
Mrs. Riley
Old Mother Riley M.P.
1939
Old Mother Riley
Old Mother Riley in Paris
1938
Old Mother Riley
Old Mother Riley
1937
Old Mother Riley
Kathleen
1937
Mrs. Riley
Stars on Parade
1936
Old Mother Riley
Writer
Title
Year
Status
Character
Old Mother Riley Overseas
1943
additional scenes
Old Mother Riley Detective
1943
writer
Old Mother Riley's Circus
1941
story
Old Mother Riley's Ghosts
1941
additional dialogue and scenes
Soundtrack
Title
Year
Status
Character
Vampire Over London
1952
performer: "I Hold Up My Finger and I Say Tweet Tweet" - uncredited
$1.2 Million
