Does anyone remember old mother Riley.Everyone even my husband says he cant. says I must be imagining it but I know Im not. Please say u remenber then I will know Im not going mad.

Originally posted by thai
Does anyone remember old mother Riley.Everyone even my husband says he cant. says I must be imagining it but I know Im not. Please say u remenber then I will know Im not going mad.

Thai, Nothing wrong with your memory at all.The old woman wearing her apron and hair done in a bun. The couple were Arthur Lucan and Kitty Mcshane I think there was a link on here about them at some stage, I hope I got the spelling rite. Very well known they were
Vera

They were very popular in the forties, along with Frank Randall and George Formby. I think they were husband and wife, both from Ireland.

I'm sure I used to go to see Old Mother Riley and her daughter Kitty at the Pictures. Slapstick comedy which made me laugh at the time and I'm sure wouldn't now.

Hazel

i have many autographs from that era inc old mother riley.(kitty mcshea) if anyone is interested !

They appeared in `Film Fun'.

I married a Riley and one of my son's good friends at school was Simon Hubbard you can imagine the comments of the other kids

nitelife40, you havent got anything on danny ross have you.
He also appeared in just one mother riley film but unobtainable even on ebay.
Danny ross as you know played the bumbling alfie hall on the radio show(clitheroe kid) and in the film the love match which i managed to obtain.

Thanks for all your replies . Glad to know Im not mad.
Such fond memories they bring back xmas just doesnt seem the same without them.

Hey thai, All you got to do is keep screaming, in a high voice' WHERE'S ME DAUGHTER, WHERE'S ME DAUGHTER.

Thai, try this web page http://www.peterwilkinson.karoo.net/omr.htm

Originally posted by Tofty
Thai, try this web page http://www.peterwilkinson.karoo.net/omr.htm Thanks for that very interesting.

nitelife40, you havent got anything on danny ross have you.
He also appeared in just one mother riley film but unobtainable even on ebay.
Danny ross as you know played the bumbling alfie hall on the radio show(clitheroe kid) and in the film the love match which i managed to obtain.


Do you remember when Arthur Askey asked him his name in The Love Match? It was Alf Hart. Work it out for yourself, but Big Hearted Arthur's reply was 'Not in my house you won't'. Such innocent entertainment - where did it go?

They were very popular in the forties, along with Frank Randall and George Formby. I think they were husband and wife, both from Ireland.
Kitty was indeed from Ireland but I read somewhere that Arthur was from somewhere in Lincolnshire. He died on stage in Hull and is buried there, their films were great fun and not a swear word to be heard, God rest his soul.

Old mother Riley used to do a turn on the stage at the variety theatre and the lady next doar to us on Priory Terrace took in lodgers Arthur and Kitty were regulars. They used to sit in the front garden and argue no end, odd how serious commedians are most of the time.

Old mother Riley used to do a turn on the stage at the variety theatre and the lady next doar to us on Priory Terrace took in lodgers Arthur and Kitty were regulars. They used to sit in the front garden and argue no end, odd how serious commedians are most of the time.


Lucan and McShane hated each other. I think she was only 15 when she married him. It appears she had a succession of 'friends' and he didn't like it. Kitty was the boss of the team too, but really - what was she without him? - nothing. All I remember her saying was 'Oh Mother'. I believe her parting shot to him at his funeral was 'You B-----d'.

I'm sure I used to go to see Old Mother Riley and her daughter Kitty at the Pictures. Slapstick comedy which made me laugh at the time and I'm sure wouldn't now.

Hazel


I have a couple of Mother Riley DVD's Hazel and he still is funny in places. It's his gestures - they crease me up.

Thai, Nothing wrong with your memory at all.The old woman wearing her apron and hair done in a bun. The couple were Arthur Lucan and Kitty Mcshane I think there was a link on here about them at some stage, I hope I got the spelling rite. Very well known they were
Vera
she indeed was real!!! i have her autograph!!! and a photo!:)

Kitty wasn't much, any woman could have done her job, Athur was the talent at the time "she" made us roll up just when we needed it during the war. ITMA was the other one and the crazy gang and there was that Yorkshireman with the Piano used to give pennies away, what was his name. Artur Askey when he asked for a cup of tea without sugar the girl replied, " We haven't any sugar you'll have to have it without milk".

All tame stuff now but we only had the wireless.

Kitty wasn't much, any woman could have done her job, Athur was the talent at the time "she" made us roll up just when we needed it during the war. ITMA was the other one and the crazy gang and there was that Yorkshireman with the Piano used to give pennies away, what was his name. Artur Askey when he asked for a cup of tea without sugar the girl replied, " We haven't any sugar you'll have to have it without milk".

All tame stuff now but we only had the wireless.
HI You mean Wilford Pickles and his piano accompanist Jean played Ena Sharples in later years, Cheers Arthur

I'm only in my early thirties and I remember enjoying them on the telly when I was a kid. They don't seem to show them anywhere now though. Also, where's Will Hay?

Lucan and McShane hated each other. I think she was only 15 when she married him. It appears she had a succession of 'friends' and he didn't like it. Kitty was the boss of the team too, but really - what was she without him? - nothing. All I remember her saying was 'Oh Mother'. I believe her parting shot to him at his funeral was 'You B-----d'.
Lucan was an acoholic..and some times when lucan was indisposed an understudy used to play his part on stage, and the audience never knew the diference co's the understudy was so good...I don't remember his name but he became quite well known after lucan died.

HI You mean Wilford Pickles and his piano accompanist Jean played Ena Sharples in later years, Cheers Arthur

Arthur, it wasn't Jean - it was Violet Carson who played the piano, and yes, she did attain fame as Ena Sharples. 'Give 'em the money Mabel. Are you courting?'

Lucan was an acoholic..and some times when lucan was indisposed an understudy used to play his part on stage, and the audience never knew the diference co's the understudy was so good...I don't remember his name but he became quite well known after lucan died.


Tim it was Roy Rolland. He was fantastic as Arthur Lucan's understudy.

Who was it who used to say '' I'll seperate you from your breath''? Was it Old Mother Riley or Norman Evans in his 'Over the Garden Wall' sketch? I know when she got belligerent Old Ma' would start rolling her sleeves up a say things like 'I'll marmalize ya', etc, etc.
Somebody mentioned ITMA (It's that man again). Remember the characters in that show, Mrs Mopp,(Can I do you now sir?) Colonel Chinstrap (I dont mind if I do), always trying to get a drink. And Funf the mysterious German spy? And Claud and Cecil, the removal men? (To me Claud, No, to me Cecil).

Old Mother Riley,whos real name was Arthur Towle, was born in Boston Licolnshire.The name Arthur Lucan was his stage name before he became OLD MOTHER RILEY.A that time he was a vaudeville act doing an eccentric walk, when he met Kitty McShane,one of 10 children,He married her when she was just sixteen years old,and brought her to England.He did NOT die on stage in Hull (the Tivoli Theatre), he died in the wings,as he was just ready to make his entrance. His last public performance was made the evening before ,at the ALHAMBRA, Barnsley,and he was living at that time in a caravan with the man who played the part of the Mayor in the comedy sketch,in a pub yard in Monk Bretton,Barnsley. His grave in Hull, was neglected for many years, untill the late,and very great Les Dawson found it,and had it cleaned up.

I'm sure I used to go to see Old Mother Riley and her daughter Kitty at the Pictures. Slapstick comedy which made me laugh at the time and I'm sure wouldn't now.

Hazel
They would still make you laugh Hazel. The stories were silly, but some of the things Arthur Lucan said are immortal. Some of his actions are still funny. I have quite a few of the films on DVD.

They were very popular in the forties, along with Frank Randall and George Formby. I think they were husband and wife, both from Ireland.


Kitty was from Ireland but Arthur Lucan was from Lincolnshire.

i have many autographs from that era inc old mother riley.(kitty mcshea) if anyone is interested !

Kitty McShane

Hey thai, All you got to do is keep screaming, in a high voice' WHERE'S ME DAUGHTER, WHERE'S ME DAUGHTER.


Or 'Oh Mother'.

Old Mother Riley,whos real name was Arthur Towle, was born in Boston Licolnshire.The name Arthur Lucan was his stage name before he became OLD MOTHER RILEY.A that time he was a vaudeville act doing an eccentric walk, when he met Kitty McShane,one of 10 children,He married her when she was just sixteen years old,and brought her to England.He did NOT die on stage in Hull (the Tivoli Theatre), he died in the wings,as he was just ready to make his entrance. His last public performance was made the evening before ,at the ALHAMBRA, Barnsley,and he was living at that time in a caravan with the man who played the part of the Mayor in the comedy sketch,in a pub yard in Monk Bretton,Barnsley. His grave in Hull, was neglected for many years, untill the late,and very great Les Dawson found it,and had it cleaned up.


I think you will find the last time he appeared on stage was at THE THEATRE ROYAL in Barnsley - on a Saturday night. They were due to open in Hull the following Monday and, as you say he never quite made it to the stage.

My mother used to do a good mimic of OLD MOTHER RILEY rolling up her sleaves and bouncing from foot to foot but she didn'r realise she was doing it.

I have a couple of Mother Riley DVD's Hazel and he still is funny in places. It's his gestures - they crease me up.Hi ,just wondering where you got dvd,s from.
Regards Thai

Youre quite right ,my appologies.I remember someone telling me ,when he died there were a couple of dustbins full of empty whisky bottles at the back of his caravan ,and people in the neighbourhood could hear him and the other man who he shared the caravan with ,arguing and fighting quite often. Another person i used to know,worked in the chorus for the Lucan&McShane Co,as it was called then.He said that Kitty was a vile person,who would inspect their hands&teeth before "curtain up",and really tear in to them if things didnt meet her approval.The only time they conversed with L&McS other than in the script,was when they were getting paid apparently,if you stayed for a second season, your money went up , as people were constantly leaving the show,mostly on account of her.As soon as the shows were over, Kitty would be off with one of her "escorts",and Arthur was usually up in the circle with a chorus girl&a bottle of whiskey.THERES NO BUISNESS LIKE SHOW BUISNESS?.

http://images.google.com/images?q=Old+mother+Riley&hl=en&btnG=Search+Images

Hi ,just wondering where you got dvd,s from.
Regards Thai
Hi. I got them from E Bay. I did not have to bid for them as they were on as a 'Buy now' item. Have a look, I am certain you will find some. Simply type in the search bar 'Old Mother Riley'.

i have many autographs from that era inc old mother riley.(kitty mcshea) if anyone is interested !probably not genuine as old mother riley was Arthur Lucan and Kitty was played by Kitty Macshane

Arthur, it wasn't Jean - it was Violet Carson who played the piano, and yes, she did attain fame as Ena Sharples. 'Give 'em the money Mabel. Are you courting?'
Hi Nigel, Correct ,I thought it did not sound right after typing it .Cheers Arthur.

I'm only in my early thirties and I remember enjoying them on the telly when I was a kid. They don't seem to show them anywhere now though. Also, where's Will Hay?


He's at present on E bay

probably not genuine as old mother riley was Arthur Lucan and Kitty was played by Kitty Macshane


No worries as they say today.

Hi. I got them from E Bay. I did not have to bid for them as they were on as a 'Buy now' item. Have a look, I am certain you will find some. Simply type in the search bar 'Old Mother Riley'.Fantastic thanks for that have just bought some cant wait for them to arrive, oh the memories of childhood.

you have started a right conversation in my house now, my mum and older partner are remanicing. you are not going mad at all, old mother riley did exist.

Well heres another ? does anyone recall an interveiw on calender with a chap who had a small picture house in a shed at the bottom of his garden.He used to have loads of old films inc,old mother riley, you could actually go there and watch a film for a small fee.Iwonder if he still does the shows,not far from sheff if memory serves me right.

I can remember him ,his wife i think used to go round with cups of tea&biscuits in the interval.by the way,do you know that you can get 12 old mother Riley d.v.ds for 90p if you click on to e.bay "OLD MOTHER RILEY",also,GEORGE FORMBY, FRANK RANDLE ,ARTHUR ASKEY& WILL HAY,all on the same page,

yes thanks ordered some last night cant wait for them to arrive.

Just obtained 4 Old Mother Riley DVDs with 3 films on each for £4 inclusive on Ebay - Barkworth

Arthur, it wasn't Jean - it was Violet Carson who played the piano, and yes, she did attain fame as Ena Sharples. 'Give 'em the money Mabel. Are you courting?'

"And here"s Mabel at the Table" They used to announce.

''Old Mother Riley and the Vampire'' is currently on, I think, Open Access - one of those minor free-to-air sky channels.