Kitty McShane facts for kids
Kathleen "Kitty" McShane (born May 19, 1897 – died March 24, 1964) was an Irish actress. She was best known as the wife and acting partner of Arthur Lucan. Together, they appeared in many popular Old Mother Riley stage shows and films. These shows entertained audiences from the 1930s to the 1950s.
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Kitty McShane's Early Life
Catherine McShane was born in Dublin, Ireland. She was the fourth of seventeen children in her family. However, only seven of her siblings lived to be adults.
In 1910, a performer named Arthur Lucan was touring Ireland. He was performing his pantomime show, Little Red Riding Hood, in Dublin. Kitty McShane, who was a singer, successfully tried out for a part in his show. She was only 16 years old when she married Lucan, who was 28. They got married on November 25, 1913, in Dublin. The couple had one son, Donald Daniel Towle, who was born in 1915.
Becoming 'Old Mother Riley'
Kitty McShane and Arthur Lucan became a very popular comedy team. They performed together for almost forty years. They started creating their famous stage characters over time. Arthur Lucan dressed up as 'Mrs. Daphne Snowdrop Bluebell Riley' from Dublin. Kitty McShane played her daughter, 'Kitty Riley'. Kitty Riley's playful and sometimes mischievous actions often led to funny reactions from Mother Riley.
Kitty McShane acted in 14 of the 15 'Old Mother Riley' films. While they were very successful on stage and screen, their marriage had its challenges. They separated in 1951. In McShane's last film, Old Mother Riley's Jungle Treasure (1951), their scenes were filmed on different days. After their separation, Kitty McShane opened a beauty salon, but it did not succeed. Arthur Lucan continued to support her financially.
Later Years and Legacy
After Arthur Lucan passed away in 1954, Kitty McShane tried to continue the 'Mother Riley' act. She worked with an impersonator named Roy Rolland who played Mother Riley. However, this new version of the show was not as successful. In December 1963, her partner, Billy Bleach, passed away from an illness. This caused Kitty McShane to experience serious emotional difficulties.
Kitty McShane was found deceased at her home in London on March 24, 1964. She was 66 years old.
Years later, in 1982, Alan Plater wrote a play about Arthur Lucan's life with Kitty McShane. It was called On Your Way, Riley and included songs by Alex Glasgow. This play was later made into a TV show. It was shown on ITV in 1985. Brian Murphy and Maureen Lipman played the main roles.
Film Appearances
- Stars on Parade (1936)
- Kathleen Mavourneen (1937)
- Old Mother Riley (1937)
- Old Mother Riley in Paris (1938)
- Old Mother Riley, MP (1939)
- Old Mother Riley in Society (1940)
- Old Mother Riley Joins Up (1940)
- Old Mother Riley's Circus (1941)
- Old Mother Riley's Ghosts (1941)
- Old Mother Riley in Business (1941)
- Old Mother Riley Detective (1943)
- Old Mother Riley Overseas (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)
