| Old Mother Riley in Business | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Trade ad poster | |
| Directed by | John Baxter |
| Written by |
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| Story by |
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| Produced by | John Baxter |
| Starring | |
| Cinematography | James Wilson |
| Edited by | Michael C. Chorlton |
| Music by | Kennedy Russell |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | Butcher's Film Service |
Release date |
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| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
Old Mother Riley in Business is a 1940 British comedy film directed by John Baxter and starring Arthur Lucan, Kitty McShane and Cyril Chamberlain.[1][2] It was written by Geoffrey Orme and Con West, and was the sixth in the long-running Old Mother Riley series of films.[3] Old Mother Riley's pub faces competition from a large chain store nearby, causing her to declare war on it.
Plot summary
Old Mother Riley comes to the rescue of local shopkeepers after a ruthless chain, "Golden Stores" makes its aggressive presence felt. The boisterous Irish washerwoman gives the chain stores boss a push into the river and soon finds herself a wanted woman, donning a nurse's outfit to escape from the hospital in which she is hiding.[4]
Cast
- Arthur Lucan as Mrs. Riley
- Kitty McShane as Kitty Riley
- Cyril Chamberlain as John Halliwell
- Ernest Butcher
- O. B. Clarence
- Edgar Driver
- Morris Harvey
- Roddy Hughes
- Ruth Maitland
- Edie Martin
- Wally Patch
- Ernest Sefton
- Charles Victor
Reception
Box office
According to Kinematograph Weekly the film's box office performance in the north east of England improved after German bombing destroyed a stage show of Arthur Lucan; this caused cancellation of several of Lucan's stage shows but also led to increased bookings for Old Mother Riley in Business.[5]
Critical
The Monthly Film Bulletin wrote: "As in the previous adventures, Arthur Lucan dominates the screen as Old Mother Riley and leaves the rest of the cast little to do. There is the usual mixture of wit, pure music-hall buffoonery and a modicum of pathos which will delight most English audiences."[6] Kinematograph Weekly wrote: "Arthur Lucan is in capital form as Old Mother Riley; he not only runs the familiar comedy gamut, but introduces a number of new gags. He is a tower of strength to the entertainment. Kitty McShane is less effective as Kitty, somehow she appears screen conscious, but Cyril Chamberlain and Eddie Martin are sound in direct support."[7]
References
- "Old Mother Riley in Business". British Film Institute Collections Search. Retrieved 8 May 2026.
- "BFI | Film & TV Database | Old Mother Riley in Business (1940)". Ftvdb.bfi.org.uk. 16 April 2009. Archived from the original on 14 January 2009. Retrieved 25 February 2014.
- Vagg, Stephen (14 September 2025). "Forgotten British Film Moguls: Lady Yule". Filmink. Retrieved 14 September 2025.
- "Old Mother Riley In Business Review". Movies.tvguide.com. Archived from the original on 1 March 2014. Retrieved 25 February 2014.
- "Long shots". Kinematograph Weekly. 24 April 1941. p. 4.
- "Old Mother Riley in Business". The Monthly Film Bulletin. 7 (73): 159. 1 January 1940. ProQuest 1305806661.
- "Old Mother Riley in Business". Kine Weekly. 283 (1745): 14. 26 September 1940. ProQuest 2339687150.