Old Mother Riley Detective
Old Mother Riley Detective

Movie spotlight

Old Mother Riley Detective

1943
Movie
80 min
English

A night watchman is being bludgeoned, as a safe is cracked open in the offices of the District Food Controller. A list of wartime foods to be rationed is stolen, and the police fear gangsters are planning to sell the foods on the black market. As the office charwoman, Old Mother Riley's fingerprints are all over the safe, and she becomes the police's number one suspect. To prove her innocence, Mother Riley turns detective, adopting various methods and disguises to track down the villains.

Insights

IMDb5.8/10
Director: Oswald MitchellGenres: Comedy, Mystery

Plot Summary

Old Mother Riley, a feisty Irish washerwoman, finds herself embroiled in a mystery when her daughter is framed for theft. Determined to prove her daughter's innocence, Riley dons a disguise and goes undercover as a detective. She navigates a world of criminals and deception, using her wit and unique methods to uncover the real culprits and clear her daughter's name.

Critical Reception

While part of a popular series, 'Old Mother Riley Detective' received mixed reviews, often criticized for its formulaic plot and reliance on slapstick humor. However, Arthur Lucan's performance as the titular character was generally praised for its comedic timing and enduring appeal to audiences who enjoyed the character's antics.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for Arthur Lucan's continued comedic performance.

  • Criticized for a predictable and uninspired plot.

  • Seen as a typical entry in the long-running 'Old Mother Riley' series.

Google audience: Audience reception information is not readily available for this specific film. However, the Old Mother Riley series generally appealed to those who enjoyed traditional British comedy and slapstick humor.

Fun Fact

Arthur Lucan was married to the actress who played Old Mother Riley's daughter, Kitty McShane, in real life.

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