Mother Riley Meets the Vampire

Similar to some of Abbott & Costello or The Bowery Boys movies featuring various monsters. This is not too funny but Lugosi is always nice to see. He seems to be enjoying himself and has a surprising amount of dialogue. As for Mother Riley this is the only film I have seen with him/her in it. An acquired taste.

The one scene to watch for occurs early on when Mother Riley is trying to read a telegram. The man collecting rent from her tries to grab the telegram and says "Give that to me you old faggot!" Now before you get all bent out of shape consider that this was 1952. I assume he was saying "...you old pile of sticks" or "...you old woman" which are a couple possible definitions for the word.

I, too, first saw this film at the Classic Cinema in Hammersmith. And to me, it was hilarious. But for so many of us growing up in England, the Old Mother Riley films were always a definite treat so that it's not surprising that so many of them were made. And at the time, I'd never even heard of Bela Lugosi. There is no question that the humour in this film is understood best by those of us born and raised in England. And having lived in New York for many years, it's only in recent months that I finally saw, once again, the original version of the film. It's also remarkable for its fine cast of British character actors which includes the now legendary Dora Bryan who, after many years, remains unknown to Americans. I just don't think that Americans could ever truly appreciate or understand the full significance of this film and its importance as the final screen appearance of a British cinema legend. And yes, in the scene where a trolley bus is standing at a traffic light, it does, indeed, appear to be a 660 which I would have used to get home from the cinema after the film was over.

I've never heard of or seen a "Mother Riley Adventure" and didn't realize it was a whole series of films, but I had Turner Classic Movies on and saw that Bela Lugosi was in this one so I figured I'd give it a shot. I'm glad I did, as this is one of the wackier movies I've seen in a long time. It's a slapstick horror featuring an old lady who gets abducted by a robot (?) sent to her by a vampire (played by Bela, of course, who endearingly and comfortably hams it up in his few scenes.) Oh yeah, did I mention old Mother Riley is played by an old man? What a strange vehicle this is, but I found it impossible to dislike. There's even a completely random goofy song and dance sequence. The slapstick goes over-the-top in some scenes (notably the ones that are sped up), but it's all in good fun. The best thing the movie has going for it is its distinctly British humor. I loved Dora Byran as Tilly the chambermaid, especially when she starts cavorting with Mother Riley. The woman has such fantastic comedic timing! Overall, its an amusing and quick movie. If you catch it on TV give it a go. I don't think it's as rotten as its reputation.

This obscure British B-pic has to be seen to be believed. Ageing music hall entertainer Arthur Lucan ("Mother Riley") confronts a raddled and ill-looking Bela Lugosi, playing a master criminal who sleeps in his coffin and thinks he's a vampire. Lugosi, spoofing his own horror persona, is assisted by a sinister henchman called Hitchcock (!) and a silly-looking robot.

The film isn't particularly good but you keep on watching out of sheer bemusement, wondering what will crop up next. There's a song-and-dance routine in Old Mother Riley's shop, speeded-up chase sequences, a brief appearance from ex Will Hay "fat boy" Graham Moffat and, showing how social attitudes have changed, a running joke involving a drunk driver!

The "Mother Riley" series was a British made series of low budget comedies starring Arthur Lucan, who played, in drag, a dotty old working class woman. These films often satired British government, and how it handles it's working class. When you watch MOTHER RILEY MEETS THE VAMPIRE, much of the gags about Brit leadership will fly past modern day American audiences.

It was the last chance to see the great Bela Lugosi in his full talent, as, of course, a vampire. Later that year, 1952, addiction and poverty sank in deeper, and he would turn to working with a certain Edward Wood.