A Surprisingly Unforgettable Movie!

If you like to be scared, if you like to laugh, and if you like to learn a thing or two at the movies, this absolutely cannot be missed.

The story-telling is good with flashbacks.The film is both funny and heartbreaking. You smile in a scene and get a soulcrushing revelation in the next.

The movie really just wants to entertain people.

Not a 'good' film, but definitely worth seeing for any fan of Bela Lugosi, and not nearly as 'awful' as its general negative reputation suggests. This was the last chapter in a British series that featured an Irish wash woman type character named "Old Mother Riley" (and played by comedian Arthur Lucan in drag). The movie is known under different titles, including VAMPIRE OVER London, MY SON THE VAMPIRE, and MOTHER RILEY MEETS THE VAMPIRE. It's an English styled comedy centered around an obsessively eccentric scientist/gangster called Van Housen (Lugosi) who lives his life as though he was a true vampire. He has an insane ambition to conquer the world by building an army of fifty thousand robots, but sheepishly admits when questioned that so far he has only been able to produce "one". The robot gets a hold of the zany Old Mother Riley and takes her back to Van Housen's mansion, where the madman has kidnapped a young heiress in the hope of securing from her a special chart to a uranium deposit to aid him in his diabolical plans. It's up to Mrs. Riley to foil Bela's scheme and save the day. If you're not interested in Bela Lugosi I wouldn't recommend seeing this, but for Bela fans this is probably his best performance from the 1950s, in terms of appearing robust and healthy. Lugosi really seems to be enjoying himself here and sinks his teeth into his comedic role and is quite funny at times. The jokes are not all the best written, but for fans I should think there are far worse ways to spend 70-some-odd minutes. The most commonly available version called MY SON, THE VAMPIRE eliminates a musical number sung by Old Mother Riley, which is no great loss. It also adds a new title song sung by Allan Sherman. **1/2 out of ****

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.

Arthur Lucan plays the female lead, "Mother Riley", and Lucan's schtick involved playing an old hag in both a series of films as well as on stage. Unfortunately, Lucan looked and sounded nothing like an old woman and instead seemed to be one of the least talented "actors" ever to grace the silver screen. What made it worse was the way that the film's director and producer added "funny" sound effects and optical effects in order to supposedly heighten the humor. All this really did was loudly and very unconvincingly announce "this is really funny--look everyone--isn't this hilarious?!". The film had all the subtlety and charm of an obnoxious four year-old who thinks everyone wants to watch him recite and tell jokes. Also included for "laughs" are a giant stupid robot (a sure sign the movie is in trouble), a "hilarious" song by that accursed Mother Riley and opening credits that feature a song that might encourage suicide. If Anmesty International got wind of all this, they might try to condemn the movie as a form of cruel and unusual punishment.Unfortunately, as a result of all this badness, Bela Lugosi is 100% wasted in the film and generally looks rather lost. He could have been funny or scary (like he was in ABBOTT AND COSTELLO MEET FRANKENSTEIN), but the Mother Riley character was so pushy, detestable and awful that Lugosi's performance (as well as a plot) are completely overwhelmed by the eminently hate-able Lucan. You just wanted it all to end!After seeing this film, I wonder why Bela Lugosi's last film (PLAN 9 FROM OUTER SPACE) is so famous for being the worst movie ever made. Sure, it's very incompetently made and inept in every way--but at least it's fun to watch. On the other hand, MOTHER RILEY MEETS THE VAMPIRE might be one of the most annoying and pathetically unfunny films ever made and watching it will likely induce a humongous migraine!! Painfully bad and awful in every possible way!! I hated this movie and hate everyone who made it. I really wish I could give it a score lower than 1!!! Curse all of you responsible for this bilge.Did I mention that I didn't like it?!

2 of 10 just to say you saw Legosi before he totally went deep end from old age and whatever he was on (morphene?), well maybe not. I rented this and I would commend it if it was funny, or not intentionally funny but ended up funny or scary or not scary but stupid. Basically you get none of the mentioned, it's just a horrid waste of time. Get really really drunk or drugged up (whatever your pleasure I am not condoning drug use), put this on and than fall asleep and just remember that this is a bad flick. Probably was when it first came out and it definitely is now. Don't say I didn't warn you. Oh I know you will watch it anyway being the optimist you are and Legosi lover from his Universal days, but believe me, this is about the lowest Legosi will get on my list and that includes Ed Wood stuff (at least that was so bad it was funny), it's even below Monogram, really really bad (no really).