At the time of his death, Lucan was in talks to make a new film, "Old Mother Riley's Trip To Mars". A script had been written, and it was due to go into production in late spring 1954.
Gravestone Inscription: Arthur Lucan, better known and beloved by all children as Old Mother Riley. Don't cry as you pass by, just say a prayer.
He adopted the surname Lucan from a dairy in Dublin.
He was an accomplished pianist.
In 1934 Lucan and his wife Kitty McShane introduced "Bridget's Night Out" which became a classic act in the English music hall.
In 1941, (as Old Mother Riley) he was named the second most popular British film star.
In 1954 Lucan was touring in a production of "Old Mother Riley Goes to Paris." On May 17th, while waiting to go on stage at the Tivoli Theatre in Hull, Lucan collapsed and died. He was buried in Hull's Eastern Cemetary.
In 2006, a new headstone was placed on his grave. The new inscription reads: Arthur Towle 1885 - 1954. Also known as Arthur Lucan. Old Mother Riley. "Matches Penny A Box. Stop Me And Strike One. I've Not Sold A Box Of Matches For12 Months. My Shareholders Are Getting The Wind Up.".
One son, Donald Daniel Towle, born 2nd October 1915, in Dublin.
The relationship betweem Lucan and his wife/partner Kitty McShane became increasingly volatile. For the final films in the "Old Mother Riley" series, the director could not have both of them on the set at the same time. Their shots would be done seperately and edited together. For the final film in the series, "Mother Riley Meets the Vampire" (1952), McShane was replaced.