Arthur Lucan - Revision history

Kurt at 03:48, 16 March 2023

2023-03-16T03:48:00Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:48, 15 March 2023
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	~~{{Short description\|English actor (1885–1954)}}~~
	~~{{Use dmy dates\|date=June 2015}}~~
	~~{{Use British English\|date=February 2021}}~~
	{{Infobox person		{{Infobox person

	\| image = arthur-lucan.jpg		\| image = arthur-lucan.jpg
	\| alt = <!-- descriptive text for use by speech synthesis (text-to-speech) software -->		\| alt = <!-- descriptive text for use by speech synthesis (text-to-speech) software -->
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	\| birth_name = Arthur Towle		\| birth_name = Arthur Towle
	\| birth_date = {{Birth date\|1885\|09\|16\|df=y}}		\| birth_date = {{Birth date\|1885\|09\|16\|df=y}}
	\| birth_place = [[~~w:Sibsey\|~~Sibsey]], [[~~w:Lincolnshire\|~~Lincolnshire]]		\| birth_place = [[Sibsey]], [[Lincolnshire]]
	\| death_date = {{Death date and age\|1954\|05\|17\|1885\|09\|16\|df=y}}		\| death_date = {{Death date and age\|1954\|05\|17\|1885\|09\|16\|df=y}}
	\| death_place =		\| death_place =
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	==Early life==		==Early life==
	Lucan was born on 16 September 1885 in [[~~w:Sibsey\|~~Sibsey]], [[~~w:Lincolnshire\|~~Lincolnshire]], as Arthur Towle, the third of seven children born to Tom Towle, a groom, and his wife, Lucy Ann Mawer.<ref>{{cite ODNB\|url=https://www.oxforddnb.com/view/10.1093/ref:odnb/9780198614128.001.0001/odnb-9780198614128-e-64573\|title=Lucan, Arthur [real name Arthur Towle] (1885–1954), comedian\|year=2004\|doi=10.1093/ref:odnb/64573\|isbn=978-0-19-861412-8\|accessdate=7 February 2022}}</ref> When he was five years old, the family moved to nearby [[w:Boston, Lincolnshire\|Boston]], [[w:Lincolnshire\|Lincolnshire]], where Arthur later made his first acting appearance at the town's Shodfriars Hall. After leaving school, he left home to pursue a career in [[w:music hall\|music hall]]. He gained a job with a family troupe called the ''Musical Cliftons'', and later as sidekick to a comedian called Will Pepper.		Lucan was born on 16 September 1885 in [[Sibsey]], [[Lincolnshire]], as Arthur Towle, the third of seven children born to Tom Towle, a groom, and his wife, Lucy Ann Mawer.<ref>{{cite ODNB\|url=https://www.oxforddnb.com/view/10.1093/ref:odnb/9780198614128.001.0001/odnb-9780198614128-e-64573\|title=Lucan, Arthur [real name Arthur Towle] (1885–1954), comedian\|year=2004\|doi=10.1093/ref:odnb/64573\|isbn=978-0-19-861412-8\|accessdate=7 February 2022}}</ref> When he was five years old, the family moved to nearby [[Boston, Lincolnshire\|Boston]], [[Lincolnshire\|Lincolnshire]], where Arthur later made his first acting appearance at the town's Shodfriars Hall. After leaving school, he left home to pursue a career in [[music hall\|music hall]]. He gained a job with a family troupe called the ''Musical Cliftons'', and later as sidekick to a comedian called Will Pepper.

	==Career and marriage==		==Career and marriage==
	[[File:lucan-mcshane.jpg\|thumb\|right\|Arthur Lucan and [[Kitty McShane]] as [[Old Mother Riley]] and her daughter 'Kitty'.]]		[[File:lucan-mcshane.jpg\|thumb\|right\|Arthur Lucan and [[Kitty McShane]] as [[Old Mother Riley]] and her daughter 'Kitty'.]]
	Arthur was appearing in [[w:Dublin\|Dublin]] when he met and married the 16-year-old [[Kitty McShane]] in 1913. The couple had one son, Donald Daniel Towle (b. 2 October 1915, Dublin –d. 1970), and became a successful [[w:double act\|double act]]. They achieved some success with a sketch called "Bridget's Night Out". For this he first wore [[w:drag (clothing)\|drag]], and began to develop the character of Old Mother Riley. Whilst in Dublin, he changed his name to Lucan, and they continued to perform as 'Lucan and McShane'. The act was featured in the 1934 [[w:Royal Command Performance\|Royal Command Performance]] at the [[w:London Palladium\|London Palladium]], the most prestigious engagement of its time.		Arthur was appearing in [[Dublin\|Dublin]] when he met and married the 16-year-old [[Kitty McShane]] in 1913. The couple had one son, Donald Daniel Towle (b. 2 October 1915, Dublin –d. 1970), and became a successful [[double act\|double act]]. They achieved some success with a sketch called "Bridget's Night Out". For this he first wore [[drag (clothing)\|drag]], and began to develop the character of Old Mother Riley. Whilst in Dublin, he changed his name to Lucan, and they continued to perform as 'Lucan and McShane'. The act was featured in the 1934 [[Royal Command Performance\|Royal Command Performance]] at the [[London Palladium\|London Palladium]], the most prestigious engagement of its time.

	After the Royal Command Performance, there followed a film career, a radio series and even a [[w:strip cartoon\|strip cartoon]] in the ''[[w:Radio Times\|Radio Times]]'' and ''[[w:Film Fun\|Film Fun]]''. In all, Arthur Lucan made 17 films as Old Mother Riley. In 1943, the ''[[w:Motion Picture Herald\|Motion Picture Herald]]'' voted him the sixth biggest "money-making star" in British films.<ref>{{cite web \|author=Matthew Coniam \|url=http://www.movietone-news.com/2009/09/1944-45-motion-picture-almanac.html \|title=The 1944-45 Motion Picture Almanac \|publisher=Movietone News \|date=13 September 2009 \|access-date=3 March 2014 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140303172531/http://www.movietone-news.com/2009/09/1944-45-motion-picture-almanac.html \|archive-date=3 March 2014 \|url-status=dead }}</ref> However, his marriage proved to be a volatile union, and Lucan and McShane separated in 1951.		After the Royal Command Performance, there followed a film career, a radio series and even a [[strip cartoon\|strip cartoon]] in the ''[[Radio Times\|Radio Times]]'' and ''[[Film Fun\|Film Fun]]''. In all, Arthur Lucan made 17 films as Old Mother Riley. In 1943, the ''[[Motion Picture Herald\|Motion Picture Herald]]'' voted him the sixth biggest "money-making star" in British films.<ref>{{cite web \|author=Matthew Coniam \|url=http://www.movietone-news.com/2009/09/1944-45-motion-picture-almanac.html \|title=The 1944-45 Motion Picture Almanac \|publisher=Movietone News \|date=13 September 2009 \|access-date=3 March 2014 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140303172531/http://www.movietone-news.com/2009/09/1944-45-motion-picture-almanac.html \|archive-date=3 March 2014 \|url-status=dead }}</ref> However, his marriage proved to be a volatile union, and Lucan and McShane separated in 1951.

	==Death==		==Death==
	[[File:Arthur Lucan headstone.jpg\|thumb\|right\|Arthur Lucan's Headstone]]		[[File:Arthur Lucan headstone.jpg\|thumb\|right\|Arthur Lucan's Headstone]]
	Lucan, as 'Old Mother Riley' was last seen on stage at the Theatre Royal, [[w:Barnsley\|Barnsley]] on 14 May 1954 in a stage adaptation of ''Old Mother Riley in Paris'' as part of his national theatre and music hall tour. Lucan died, aged 68, at the Tivoli Theatre, [[w:Kingston upon Hull\|Hull]] on Monday, 17 May 1954. Ellis Aston was the first on stage to compere the forthcoming show. But Lucan had collapsed in the wings and died shortly afterwards in his dressing room.		Lucan, as 'Old Mother Riley' was last seen on stage at the Theatre Royal, [[Barnsley\|Barnsley]] on 14 May 1954 in a stage adaptation of ''Old Mother Riley in Paris'' as part of his national theatre and music hall tour. Lucan died, aged 68, at the Tivoli Theatre, [[Kingston upon Hull\|Hull]] on Monday, 17 May 1954. Ellis Aston was the first on stage to compere the forthcoming show. But Lucan had collapsed in the wings and died shortly afterwards in his dressing room.

	==Legacy==		==Legacy==
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	Following his death, Lucan's understudy [[Roy Rolland]] took on the role of Old Mother Riley, performing with Kitty McShane until her death in 1964, before then performing solo in cabaret, pantomime, theatre variety shows and summer seasons, until the 1980s when he retired.		Following his death, Lucan's understudy [[Roy Rolland]] took on the role of Old Mother Riley, performing with Kitty McShane until her death in 1964, before then performing solo in cabaret, pantomime, theatre variety shows and summer seasons, until the 1980s when he retired.

	In 1982, [[w:Alan Plater\|Alan Plater]] wrote a play, ''[[w:On Your Way, Riley\|On Your Way]]'', about the life of Arthur Lucan, with songs by [[w:Alex Glasgow\|Alex Glasgow]].<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.queens-theatre.co.uk/archive/onyourwayriley1983.htm \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040507220538/http://queens-theatre.co.uk/archive/onyourwayriley1983.htm \|url-status=dead \|archive-date=7 May 2004 \|title=On Your Way, Riley \|year=1983 \|type=playbill and details \|publisher=The Queen's Theatre \|access-date=27 September 2007 }}</ref> This was also broadcast on [[ITV Network\|ITV]] in 1985 with [[Brian Murphy (actor)\|Brian Murphy]] and [[w:Maureen Lipman\|Maureen Lipman]] in the leading roles.<ref>{{cite web\|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1339338/\|title=On Your Way Riley\|date=2 January 1985\|via=IMDb}}</ref>		In 1982, [[Alan Plater\|Alan Plater]] wrote a play, ''[[On Your Way, Riley\|On Your Way]]'', about the life of Arthur Lucan, with songs by [[Alex Glasgow\|Alex Glasgow]].<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.queens-theatre.co.uk/archive/onyourwayriley1983.htm \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040507220538/http://queens-theatre.co.uk/archive/onyourwayriley1983.htm \|url-status=dead \|archive-date=7 May 2004 \|title=On Your Way, Riley \|year=1983 \|type=playbill and details \|publisher=The Queen's Theatre \|access-date=27 September 2007 }}</ref> This was also broadcast on [[ITV Network\|ITV]] in 1985 with [[Brian Murphy (actor)\|Brian Murphy]] and [[Maureen Lipman\|Maureen Lipman]] in the leading roles.<ref>{{cite web\|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1339338/\|title=On Your Way Riley\|date=2 January 1985\|via=IMDb}}</ref>

	A [[w:Greater London Council\|Greater London Council]] [[w:blue plaque\|blue plaque]], unveiled in 1978, commemorates Lucan at his home, 11 Forty Lane in [[w:Wembley\|Wembley]].<ref name='EngHet'>{{cite web\| url=http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/blue-plaques/lucan-arthur-1887-1954-a.k.a.-arthur-towle-old-mother-riley\|title=LUCAN, ARTHUR (1887-1954)\|publisher=English Heritage\| access-date=20 June 2015}}</ref>		A [[Greater London Council\|Greater London Council]] [[blue plaque\|blue plaque]], unveiled in 1978, commemorates Lucan at his home, 11 Forty Lane in [[Wembley\|Wembley]].<ref name='EngHet'>{{cite web\| url=http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/blue-plaques/lucan-arthur-1887-1954-a.k.a.-arthur-towle-old-mother-riley\|title=LUCAN, ARTHUR (1887-1954)\|publisher=English Heritage\| access-date=20 June 2015}}</ref>

	Lucan was a member of the [[w:Savage Club\|Savage Club]]. In recent years, the club has held ''Old Mother Riley'' evenings, as a tribute to Lucan's talent.		Lucan was a member of the [[Savage Club\|Savage Club]]. In recent years, the club has held ''Old Mother Riley'' evenings, as a tribute to Lucan's talent.

	There is a comedic line of descent from Old Mother Riley to [[w:Brendan O'Carroll\|Brendan O'Carroll]]'s character and programme ''[[w:Mrs. Brown's Boys\|Mrs. Brown's Boys]]'': "She was a larger than life character who's noisy, over the top, always getting into scrapes."<ref>{{cite news \|last1=McMullan \|first1=Thomas \|title=How Mrs Brown's Boys became a critic-proof hit \|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-46619935 \|access-date=24 December 2018 \|work=BBC News \|date=24 December 2018}}</ref> [[w:Berwick Kaler\|Berwick Kaler]]'s Dame in the [[w:York Theatre Royal\|York Theatre Royal]] pantomime has also been likened to Old Mother Riley.		There is a comedic line of descent from Old Mother Riley to [[Brendan O'Carroll\|Brendan O'Carroll]]'s character and programme ''[[Mrs. Brown's Boys\|Mrs. Brown's Boys]]'': "She was a larger than life character who's noisy, over the top, always getting into scrapes."<ref>{{cite news \|last1=McMullan \|first1=Thomas \|title=How Mrs Brown's Boys became a critic-proof hit \|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-46619935 \|access-date=24 December 2018 \|work=BBC News \|date=24 December 2018}}</ref> [[Berwick Kaler\|Berwick Kaler]]'s Dame in the [[York Theatre Royal\|York Theatre Royal]] pantomime has also been likened to Old Mother Riley.

	==Filmography==		==Filmography==

Kurt: /* Legacy */

2023-01-03T16:02:39Z

Legacy

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:02, 3 January 2023
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	Lucan was a member of the [[w:Savage Club\|Savage Club]]. In recent years, the club has held ''Old Mother Riley'' evenings, as a tribute to Lucan's talent.		Lucan was a member of the [[w:Savage Club\|Savage Club]]. In recent years, the club has held ''Old Mother Riley'' evenings, as a tribute to Lucan's talent.

	There is a comedic line of descent from Old Mother Riley to [[w:Brendan O'Carroll\|Brendan O'Carroll]]'s character and programme ''[[w:Mrs. Brown's Boys\|Mrs. Brown's Boys]]'': "She was a larger than life character who's noisy, over the top, always getting into scrapes."<ref>{{cite news \|last1=McMullan \|first1=Thomas \|title=How Mrs Brown's Boys became a critic-proof hit \|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-46619935 \|access-date=24 December 2018 \|work=BBC News \|date=24 December 2018}}</ref> [[w:Berwick Kaler\|Berwick Kaler]]'s Dame in the [[w:York Theatre Royal\|York Theatre Royal]] pantomime has also been likened to Old Mother Riley.~~{{citation needed\|date=February 2021}}~~		There is a comedic line of descent from Old Mother Riley to [[w:Brendan O'Carroll\|Brendan O'Carroll]]'s character and programme ''[[w:Mrs. Brown's Boys\|Mrs. Brown's Boys]]'': "She was a larger than life character who's noisy, over the top, always getting into scrapes."<ref>{{cite news \|last1=McMullan \|first1=Thomas \|title=How Mrs Brown's Boys became a critic-proof hit \|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-46619935 \|access-date=24 December 2018 \|work=BBC News \|date=24 December 2018}}</ref> [[w:Berwick Kaler\|Berwick Kaler]]'s Dame in the [[w:York Theatre Royal\|York Theatre Royal]] pantomime has also been likened to Old Mother Riley.

	==Filmography==		==Filmography==

Kurt: /* External links */

2023-01-03T16:02:21Z

External links

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:02, 3 January 2023
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	* {{IMDb name\|id=0524031\|name=Arthur Lucan}}		* {{IMDb name\|id=0524031\|name=Arthur Lucan}}
	* [https://www.brent.gov.uk/media/7031206/Arthur%20Lucan%20-%20the%20man%20who%20was%20Old%20Mother%20Riley.pdf ''Arthur Lucan – the man who was “Old Mother Riley”'']		* [https://www.brent.gov.uk/media/7031206/Arthur%20Lucan%20-%20the%20man%20who%20was%20Old%20Mother%20Riley.pdf ''Arthur Lucan – the man who was “Old Mother Riley”'']

	~~{{Authority control}}~~

	{{DEFAULTSORT:Lucan, Arthur}}		{{DEFAULTSORT:Lucan, Arthur}}

Kurt at 17:36, 23 September 2022

2022-09-23T17:36:05Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:36, 23 September 2022
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	{{Use dmy dates\|date=June 2015}}		{{Use dmy dates\|date=June 2015}}
	{{Use British English\|date=February 2021}}		{{Use British English\|date=February 2021}}
			{{Infobox person

	~~[[File:~~arthur-lucan.jpg\|~~thumb~~\|~~right~~\|Arthur ~~Lucan~~]]		\| image = arthur-lucan.jpg
			\| alt = <!-- descriptive text for use by speech synthesis (text-to-speech) software -->
			\| caption =
			\| birth_name = Arthur Towle
			\| birth_date = {{Birth date\|1885\|09\|16\|df=y}}
			\| birth_place = [[w:Sibsey\|Sibsey]], [[w:Lincolnshire\|Lincolnshire]]
			\| death_date = {{Death date and age\|1954\|05\|17\|1885\|09\|16\|df=y}}
			\| death_place =
			\| other_names = [[Old Mother Riley]]
			\| occupation = Variety performer
			\| years_active =
			\| known_for =
			\| notable_works =
			\| spouse = {{marriage\|[[Kitty McShane]]\|1913\|1954}}
			\| children = 1
			}}

	'''Arthur Lucan''' (born '''Arthur Towle'''; 16 September 1885 – 17 May 1954)<ref name=grave>{{cite web\|url=https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/17246922/arthur-lucan\|title=Arthur Lucan (1885-1954) - Find a Grave Memorial\|website=www.findagrave.com}}</ref> was an English actor who performed the drag act [[Old Mother Riley]] on stage, radio and screen, with a series of comedy films from the late 1930s to the early 1950s.		'''Arthur Lucan''' (born '''Arthur Towle'''; 16 September 1885 – 17 May 1954)<ref name=grave>{{cite web\|url=https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/17246922/arthur-lucan\|title=Arthur Lucan (1885-1954) - Find a Grave Memorial\|website=www.findagrave.com}}</ref> was an English actor who performed the drag act [[Old Mother Riley]] on stage, radio and screen, with a series of comedy films from the late 1930s to the early 1950s.

	==Early life==		==Early life==
	Lucan was born on 16 September 1885 in [[Sibsey]], [[Lincolnshire]], as Arthur Towle, the third of seven children born to Tom Towle, a groom, and his wife, Lucy Ann Mawer.<ref>{{cite ODNB\|url=https://www.oxforddnb.com/view/10.1093/ref:odnb/9780198614128.001.0001/odnb-9780198614128-e-64573\|title=Lucan, Arthur [real name Arthur Towle] (1885–1954), comedian\|year=2004\|doi=10.1093/ref:odnb/64573\|isbn=978-0-19-861412-8\|accessdate=7 February 2022}}</ref> When he was five years old, the family moved to nearby [[Boston, Lincolnshire\|Boston]], [[Lincolnshire]], where Arthur later made his first acting appearance at the town's Shodfriars Hall. After leaving school, he left home to pursue a career in [[music hall]]. He gained a job with a family troupe called the ''Musical Cliftons'', and later as sidekick to a comedian called Will Pepper.		Lucan was born on 16 September 1885 in [[w:Sibsey\|Sibsey]], [[w:Lincolnshire\|Lincolnshire]], as Arthur Towle, the third of seven children born to Tom Towle, a groom, and his wife, Lucy Ann Mawer.<ref>{{cite ODNB\|url=https://www.oxforddnb.com/view/10.1093/ref:odnb/9780198614128.001.0001/odnb-9780198614128-e-64573\|title=Lucan, Arthur [real name Arthur Towle] (1885–1954), comedian\|year=2004\|doi=10.1093/ref:odnb/64573\|isbn=978-0-19-861412-8\|accessdate=7 February 2022}}</ref> When he was five years old, the family moved to nearby [[w:Boston, Lincolnshire\|Boston]], [[w:Lincolnshire\|Lincolnshire]], where Arthur later made his first acting appearance at the town's Shodfriars Hall. After leaving school, he left home to pursue a career in [[w:music hall\|music hall]]. He gained a job with a family troupe called the ''Musical Cliftons'', and later as sidekick to a comedian called Will Pepper.

	==Career and marriage==		==Career and marriage==
	[[File:lucan-mcshane.jpg\|thumb\|right\|Arthur Lucan and [[Kitty McShane]] as [[Old Mother Riley]] and her daughter 'Kitty'.]]		[[File:lucan-mcshane.jpg\|thumb\|right\|Arthur Lucan and [[Kitty McShane]] as [[Old Mother Riley]] and her daughter 'Kitty'.]]
	Arthur was appearing in [[Dublin]] when he met and married the 16-year-old [[Kitty McShane]] in 1913. The couple had one son, Donald Daniel Towle (b. 2 October 1915, Dublin –d. 1970), and became a successful [[double act]]. They achieved some success with a sketch called "Bridget's Night Out". For this he first wore [[drag (clothing)\|drag]], and began to develop the character of Old Mother Riley. Whilst in Dublin, he changed his name to Lucan, and they continued to perform as 'Lucan and McShane'. The act was featured in the 1934 [[Royal Command Performance]] at the [[London Palladium]], the most prestigious engagement of its time.		Arthur was appearing in [[w:Dublin\|Dublin]] when he met and married the 16-year-old [[Kitty McShane]] in 1913. The couple had one son, Donald Daniel Towle (b. 2 October 1915, Dublin –d. 1970), and became a successful [[w:double act\|double act]]. They achieved some success with a sketch called "Bridget's Night Out". For this he first wore [[w:drag (clothing)\|drag]], and began to develop the character of Old Mother Riley. Whilst in Dublin, he changed his name to Lucan, and they continued to perform as 'Lucan and McShane'. The act was featured in the 1934 [[w:Royal Command Performance\|Royal Command Performance]] at the [[w:London Palladium\|London Palladium]], the most prestigious engagement of its time.

	After the Royal Command Performance, there followed a film career, a radio series and even a [[strip cartoon]] in the ''[[Radio Times]]'' and ''[[Film Fun]]''. In all, Arthur Lucan made 17 films as Old Mother Riley. In 1943, the ''[[Motion Picture Herald]]'' voted him the sixth biggest "money-making star" in British films.<ref>{{cite web \|author=Matthew Coniam \|url=http://www.movietone-news.com/2009/09/1944-45-motion-picture-almanac.html \|title=The 1944-45 Motion Picture Almanac \|publisher=Movietone News \|date=13 September 2009 \|access-date=3 March 2014 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140303172531/http://www.movietone-news.com/2009/09/1944-45-motion-picture-almanac.html \|archive-date=3 March 2014 \|url-status=dead }}</ref> However, his marriage proved to be a volatile union, and Lucan and McShane separated in 1951.		After the Royal Command Performance, there followed a film career, a radio series and even a [[w:strip cartoon\|strip cartoon]] in the ''[[w:Radio Times\|Radio Times]]'' and ''[[w:Film Fun\|Film Fun]]''. In all, Arthur Lucan made 17 films as Old Mother Riley. In 1943, the ''[[w:Motion Picture Herald\|Motion Picture Herald]]'' voted him the sixth biggest "money-making star" in British films.<ref>{{cite web \|author=Matthew Coniam \|url=http://www.movietone-news.com/2009/09/1944-45-motion-picture-almanac.html \|title=The 1944-45 Motion Picture Almanac \|publisher=Movietone News \|date=13 September 2009 \|access-date=3 March 2014 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140303172531/http://www.movietone-news.com/2009/09/1944-45-motion-picture-almanac.html \|archive-date=3 March 2014 \|url-status=dead }}</ref> However, his marriage proved to be a volatile union, and Lucan and McShane separated in 1951.

	==Death==		==Death==
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	Following his death, Lucan's understudy [[Roy Rolland]] took on the role of Old Mother Riley, performing with Kitty McShane until her death in 1964, before then performing solo in cabaret, pantomime, theatre variety shows and summer seasons, until the 1980s when he retired.		Following his death, Lucan's understudy [[Roy Rolland]] took on the role of Old Mother Riley, performing with Kitty McShane until her death in 1964, before then performing solo in cabaret, pantomime, theatre variety shows and summer seasons, until the 1980s when he retired.

	In 1982, [[Alan Plater]] wrote a play, ''[[On Your Way, Riley]]'', about the life of Arthur Lucan, with songs by [[Alex Glasgow]].<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.queens-theatre.co.uk/archive/onyourwayriley1983.htm \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040507220538/http://queens-theatre.co.uk/archive/onyourwayriley1983.htm \|url-status=dead \|archive-date=7 May 2004 \|title=On Your Way, Riley \|year=1983 \|type=playbill and details \|publisher=The Queen's Theatre \|access-date=27 September 2007 }}</ref> This was also broadcast on [[ITV Network\|ITV]] in 1985 with [[Brian Murphy (actor)\|Brian Murphy]] and [[Maureen Lipman]] in the leading roles.<ref>{{cite web\|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1339338/\|title=On Your Way Riley\|date=2 January 1985\|via=IMDb}}</ref>		In 1982, [[w:Alan Plater\|Alan Plater]] wrote a play, ''[[w:On Your Way, Riley\|On Your Way]]'', about the life of Arthur Lucan, with songs by [[w:Alex Glasgow\|Alex Glasgow]].<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.queens-theatre.co.uk/archive/onyourwayriley1983.htm \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040507220538/http://queens-theatre.co.uk/archive/onyourwayriley1983.htm \|url-status=dead \|archive-date=7 May 2004 \|title=On Your Way, Riley \|year=1983 \|type=playbill and details \|publisher=The Queen's Theatre \|access-date=27 September 2007 }}</ref> This was also broadcast on [[ITV Network\|ITV]] in 1985 with [[Brian Murphy (actor)\|Brian Murphy]] and [[w:Maureen Lipman\|Maureen Lipman]] in the leading roles.<ref>{{cite web\|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1339338/\|title=On Your Way Riley\|date=2 January 1985\|via=IMDb}}</ref>

	A [[Greater London Council]] [[blue plaque]], unveiled in 1978, commemorates Lucan at his home, 11 Forty Lane in [[Wembley]].<ref name='EngHet'>{{cite web\| url=http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/blue-plaques/lucan-arthur-1887-1954-a.k.a.-arthur-towle-old-mother-riley\|title=LUCAN, ARTHUR (1887-1954)\|publisher=English Heritage\| access-date=20 June 2015}}</ref>		A [[w:Greater London Council\|Greater London Council]] [[w:blue plaque\|blue plaque]], unveiled in 1978, commemorates Lucan at his home, 11 Forty Lane in [[w:Wembley\|Wembley]].<ref name='EngHet'>{{cite web\| url=http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/blue-plaques/lucan-arthur-1887-1954-a.k.a.-arthur-towle-old-mother-riley\|title=LUCAN, ARTHUR (1887-1954)\|publisher=English Heritage\| access-date=20 June 2015}}</ref>

	Lucan was a member of the [[Savage Club]]. In recent years, the club has held ''Old Mother Riley'' evenings, as a tribute to Lucan's talent.		Lucan was a member of the [[w:Savage Club\|Savage Club]]. In recent years, the club has held ''Old Mother Riley'' evenings, as a tribute to Lucan's talent.

	There is a comedic line of descent from Old Mother Riley to [[Brendan O'Carroll]]'s character and programme ''[[Mrs. Brown's Boys]]'': "She was a larger than life character who's noisy, over the top, always getting into scrapes."<ref>{{cite news \|last1=McMullan \|first1=Thomas \|title=How Mrs Brown's Boys became a critic-proof hit \|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-46619935 \|access-date=24 December 2018 \|work=BBC News \|date=24 December 2018}}</ref> [[Berwick Kaler]]'s Dame in the [[York Theatre Royal]] pantomime has also been likened to Old Mother Riley.{{citation needed\|date=February 2021}}		There is a comedic line of descent from Old Mother Riley to [[w:Brendan O'Carroll\|Brendan O'Carroll]]'s character and programme ''[[w:Mrs. Brown's Boys\|Mrs. Brown's Boys]]'': "She was a larger than life character who's noisy, over the top, always getting into scrapes."<ref>{{cite news \|last1=McMullan \|first1=Thomas \|title=How Mrs Brown's Boys became a critic-proof hit \|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-46619935 \|access-date=24 December 2018 \|work=BBC News \|date=24 December 2018}}</ref> [[w:Berwick Kaler\|Berwick Kaler]]'s Dame in the [[w:York Theatre Royal\|York Theatre Royal]] pantomime has also been likened to Old Mother Riley.{{citation needed\|date=February 2021}}

	==Filmography==		==Filmography==

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	==Death==		==Death==
	Lucan, as 'Old Mother Riley' was last seen on stage at the Theatre Royal, [[Barnsley]] on 14 May 1954 in a stage adaptation of ''Old Mother Riley in Paris'' as part of his national theatre and music hall tour. Lucan died, aged 68, at the Tivoli Theatre, [[Kingston upon Hull\|Hull]] on Monday, 17 May 1954. Ellis Aston was the first on stage to compere the forthcoming show. But Lucan had collapsed in the wings and died shortly afterwards in his dressing room.		[[File:Arthur Lucan headstone.jpg\|thumb\|right\|Arthur Lucan's Headstone]]
			Lucan, as 'Old Mother Riley' was last seen on stage at the Theatre Royal, [[w:Barnsley\|Barnsley]] on 14 May 1954 in a stage adaptation of ''Old Mother Riley in Paris'' as part of his national theatre and music hall tour. Lucan died, aged 68, at the Tivoli Theatre, [[w:Kingston upon Hull\|Hull]] on Monday, 17 May 1954. Ellis Aston was the first on stage to compere the forthcoming show. But Lucan had collapsed in the wings and died shortly afterwards in his dressing room.

	==Legacy==		==Legacy==

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en>Simeon: Importing Wikidata short description: "English actor (1885–1954)" (Shortdesc helper)

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Importing Wikidata short description: "English actor (1885–1954)" (Shortdesc helper)

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{{Short description|English actor (1885–1954)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2015}}
{{Use British English|date=February 2021}}

[[File:arthur-lucan.jpg|thumb|right|Arthur Lucan]]

'''Arthur Lucan''' (born '''Arthur Towle'''; 16 September 1885 – 17 May 1954)<ref name=grave>{{cite web|url=https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/17246922/arthur-lucan|title=Arthur Lucan (1885-1954) - Find a Grave Memorial|website=www.findagrave.com}}</ref> was an English actor who performed the drag act [[Old Mother Riley]] on stage, radio and screen, with a series of comedy films from the late 1930s to the early 1950s.

==Early life==
Lucan was born on 16 September 1885 in [[Sibsey]], [[Lincolnshire]], as Arthur Towle, the third of seven children born to Tom Towle, a groom, and his wife, Lucy Ann Mawer.<ref>{{cite ODNB|url=https://www.oxforddnb.com/view/10.1093/ref:odnb/9780198614128.001.0001/odnb-9780198614128-e-64573|title=Lucan, Arthur [real name Arthur Towle] (1885–1954), comedian|year=2004|doi=10.1093/ref:odnb/64573|isbn=978-0-19-861412-8|accessdate=7 February 2022}}</ref> When he was five years old, the family moved to nearby [[Boston, Lincolnshire|Boston]], [[Lincolnshire]], where Arthur later made his first acting appearance at the town's Shodfriars Hall. After leaving school, he left home to pursue a career in [[music hall]]. He gained a job with a family troupe called the ''Musical Cliftons'', and later as sidekick to a comedian called Will Pepper.

==Career and marriage==
[[File:lucan-mcshane.jpg|thumb|right|Arthur Lucan and [[Kitty McShane]] as [[Old Mother Riley]] and her daughter 'Kitty'.]]
Arthur was appearing in [[Dublin]] when he met and married the 16-year-old [[Kitty McShane]] in 1913. The couple had one son, Donald Daniel Towle (b. 2 October 1915, Dublin –d. 1970), and became a successful [[double act]]. They achieved some success with a sketch called "Bridget's Night Out". For this he first wore [[drag (clothing)|drag]], and began to develop the character of Old Mother Riley. Whilst in Dublin, he changed his name to Lucan, and they continued to perform as 'Lucan and McShane'. The act was featured in the 1934 [[Royal Command Performance]] at the [[London Palladium]], the most prestigious engagement of its time.

After the Royal Command Performance, there followed a film career, a radio series and even a [[strip cartoon]] in the ''[[Radio Times]]'' and ''[[Film Fun]]''. In all, Arthur Lucan made 17 films as Old Mother Riley. In 1943, the ''[[Motion Picture Herald]]'' voted him the sixth biggest "money-making star" in British films.<ref>{{cite web |author=Matthew Coniam |url=http://www.movietone-news.com/2009/09/1944-45-motion-picture-almanac.html |title=The 1944-45 Motion Picture Almanac |publisher=Movietone News |date=13 September 2009 |access-date=3 March 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140303172531/http://www.movietone-news.com/2009/09/1944-45-motion-picture-almanac.html |archive-date=3 March 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref> However, his marriage proved to be a volatile union, and Lucan and McShane separated in 1951.

==Death==
Lucan, as 'Old Mother Riley' was last seen on stage at the Theatre Royal, [[Barnsley]] on 14 May 1954 in a stage adaptation of ''Old Mother Riley in Paris'' as part of his national theatre and music hall tour. Lucan died, aged 68, at the Tivoli Theatre, [[Kingston upon Hull|Hull]] on Monday, 17 May 1954. Ellis Aston was the first on stage to compere the forthcoming show. But Lucan had collapsed in the wings and died shortly afterwards in his dressing room.

==Legacy==
The site of his death now houses a bakery and cafe, where there is a memorial bust of Arthur Lucan, together with various memorabilia from his career. He is buried in Hull's Eastern Cemetery.<ref name=grave/>

Following his death, Lucan's understudy [[Roy Rolland]] took on the role of Old Mother Riley, performing with Kitty McShane until her death in 1964, before then performing solo in cabaret, pantomime, theatre variety shows and summer seasons, until the 1980s when he retired.

In 1982, [[Alan Plater]] wrote a play, ''[[On Your Way, Riley]]'', about the life of Arthur Lucan, with songs by [[Alex Glasgow]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.queens-theatre.co.uk/archive/onyourwayriley1983.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040507220538/http://queens-theatre.co.uk/archive/onyourwayriley1983.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=7 May 2004 |title=On Your Way, Riley |year=1983 |type=playbill and details |publisher=The Queen's Theatre |access-date=27 September 2007 }}</ref> This was also broadcast on [[ITV Network|ITV]] in 1985 with [[Brian Murphy (actor)|Brian Murphy]] and [[Maureen Lipman]] in the leading roles.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1339338/|title=On Your Way Riley|date=2 January 1985|via=IMDb}}</ref>

A [[Greater London Council]] [[blue plaque]], unveiled in 1978, commemorates Lucan at his home, 11 Forty Lane in [[Wembley]].<ref name='EngHet'>{{cite web| url=http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/blue-plaques/lucan-arthur-1887-1954-a.k.a.-arthur-towle-old-mother-riley|title=LUCAN, ARTHUR (1887-1954)|publisher=English Heritage| access-date=20 June 2015}}</ref>

Lucan was a member of the [[Savage Club]]. In recent years, the club has held ''Old Mother Riley'' evenings, as a tribute to Lucan's talent.

There is a comedic line of descent from Old Mother Riley to [[Brendan O'Carroll]]'s character and programme ''[[Mrs. Brown's Boys]]'': "She was a larger than life character who's noisy, over the top, always getting into scrapes."<ref>{{cite news |last1=McMullan |first1=Thomas |title=How Mrs Brown's Boys became a critic-proof hit |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-46619935 |access-date=24 December 2018 |work=BBC News |date=24 December 2018}}</ref> [[Berwick Kaler]]'s Dame in the [[York Theatre Royal]] pantomime has also been likened to Old Mother Riley.{{citation needed|date=February 2021}}

==Filmography==
Actor (and writer where stated)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ftvdb.bfi.org.uk/sift/individual/17714?view=credit|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090128234455/http://ftvdb.bfi.org.uk/sift/individual/17714?view=credit |url-status=dead |archive-date=2009-01-16 |title=Arthur Lucan: Filmography |publisher=Ftvdb.bfi.org.uk |date=2009-04-16 |access-date=2021-02-06}}</ref>
* ''[[Stars on Parade (1936 film)|Stars on Parade]]'' (1936)
* ''[[Old Mother Riley (film)|Old Mother Riley]]'' (1937)
* ''[[Kathleen Mavourneen (1937 film)|Kathleen Mavourneen]]'' (1937)
* ''[[Old Mother Riley in Paris]]'' (1938)
* ''[[Old Mother Riley, MP]]'' (1940)
* ''[[Old Mother Riley Joins Up]]'' (1940)
* ''[[Old Mother Riley in Society]]'' (1940)
* ''[[Old Mother Riley's Circus]]'' (and writer, 1941)
* ''[[Old Mother Riley in Business]]'' (1941)
* ''[[Old Mother Riley's Ghosts]]'' (and writer, 1941)
* ''[[Old Mother Riley Overseas]]'' (and writer, 1943)
* ''[[Old Mother Riley Detective]]'' (and writer, 1943)
* ''[[Old Mother Riley at Home]]'' (1945)
* ''[[Old Mother Riley's New Venture]]'' (1949)
* ''[[Old Mother Riley Headmistress]]'' (1950)
* ''[[Old Mother Riley's Jungle Treasure]]'' (1951)
* ''[[Mother Riley Meets the Vampire]]'' (1952)

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
* [http://www.britmovie.co.uk/2007/01/19/old-mother-riley-the-life-and-career-of-arthur-lucan/ ''Old Mother Riley: The Life and Career of Arthur Lucan'']
* {{IMDb name|id=0524031|name=Arthur Lucan}}
* [https://www.brent.gov.uk/media/7031206/Arthur%20Lucan%20-%20the%20man%20who%20was%20Old%20Mother%20Riley.pdf ''Arthur Lucan – the man who was “Old Mother Riley”'']

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Lucan, Arthur}}
[[Category:English male stage actors]]
[[Category:English male film actors]]
[[Category:People from Sibsey]]
[[Category:People from Boston, Lincolnshire]]
[[Category:1885 births]]
[[Category:1954 deaths]]
[[Category:20th-century English male actors]]
[[Category:British male comedy actors]]