IH
Irene Handl
Actor
Born December 27, 1901Died November 29, 1987 (85 years)
Irene Handl (27 December 1901 – 29 November 1987) was a British character actress who appeared in more than 100 British films; she also wrote novels.
Irene Handl was born in Maida Vale, London, the younger of two daughters of an Austrian-born father—Friedrich (later Frederick) Handl (1874–1961) and German mother, Marie (née Schiepp or Schuepp; 1875 – before 1924). Both of Handl's parents became naturalised British citizens. Her father came to England via Switzerland and started as a bank clerk, before becoming a stockbroker, then became a private banker. The Handls lived a comfortable middle-class life, with a German cook and housekeeper living in the family home. From 1907 to 1915, Handl attended the Paddington and Maida Vale High School. In the 1920s Handl travelled several times to New York with her father, with the ship's log listing her on each occasion as having no occupation and residing in the family home. Handl studied at an acting school run by a sister of Dame Sybil Thorndike, and then made her stage debut in London in February 1937, at the relatively advanced age of 36. In 1939, and by now an actress, she was living with her widower father in London. She continued to live with her father until his death in 1961. Her elder sister Liane (1898–1977) had married Russian electrical engineer and photographer Victor Kraminsky (born Viktor Azar'evich Kraminskii; later known as Victor Kennett; 1894–1980) in 1920 in Marylebone, Middlesex (now London). They had at least one child, a son, Charles Kennett.
Handl appeared in supporting roles in more than 100 British films, mostly comedy character parts such as slightly eccentric mothers, grannies, landladies and servants. She was a passionate lover of rock and roll, especially the work of Elvis Presley, and was president of the Lewisham branch of the Elvis Presley fan club. She was also a fellow of the Royal Geographical Society, and one of Britain's most avid champions of Chihuahuas, being inseparable from the pair that she owned. Handl had minor roles in such landmark films as Night Train to Munich and Brief Encounter. Her other notable roles included the wife of the union activist Fred Kite (played by Peter Sellers) in I'm All Right Jack (1959); Mrs Gammon, the formidable cook, opposite Gordon Harker in Small Hotel (1957); Tony Hancock's landlady in The Rebel (1961); Sherlock Holmes's housekeeper, Mrs Hudson, in The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes (1970); and Morgan's Communist mother, Mrs Delt, in Morgan – A Suitable Case for Treatment (1966). She also had small roles in two of the Carry On films, Carry On Nurse and Carry On Constable), and played Miss Peach in the original version of The Italian Job. She worked until 1987, the year of her death. Her last role was released posthumously the following year.
Handl died in her flat in Kensington, West London, on 29 November 1987, aged 85, reportedly from cancer. She never married. She was cremated at Golders Green Crematorium, North London.
Irene Handl was born in Maida Vale, London, the younger of two daughters of an Austrian-born father—Friedrich (later Frederick) Handl (1874–1961) and German mother, Marie (née Schiepp or Schuepp; 1875 – before 1924). Both of Handl's parents became naturalised British citizens. Her father came to England via Switzerland and started as a bank clerk, before becoming a stockbroker, then became a private banker. The Handls lived a comfortable middle-class life, with a German cook and housekeeper living in the family home. From 1907 to 1915, Handl attended the Paddington and Maida Vale High School. In the 1920s Handl travelled several times to New York with her father, with the ship's log listing her on each occasion as having no occupation and residing in the family home. Handl studied at an acting school run by a sister of Dame Sybil Thorndike, and then made her stage debut in London in February 1937, at the relatively advanced age of 36. In 1939, and by now an actress, she was living with her widower father in London. She continued to live with her father until his death in 1961. Her elder sister Liane (1898–1977) had married Russian electrical engineer and photographer Victor Kraminsky (born Viktor Azar'evich Kraminskii; later known as Victor Kennett; 1894–1980) in 1920 in Marylebone, Middlesex (now London). They had at least one child, a son, Charles Kennett.
Handl appeared in supporting roles in more than 100 British films, mostly comedy character parts such as slightly eccentric mothers, grannies, landladies and servants. She was a passionate lover of rock and roll, especially the work of Elvis Presley, and was president of the Lewisham branch of the Elvis Presley fan club. She was also a fellow of the Royal Geographical Society, and one of Britain's most avid champions of Chihuahuas, being inseparable from the pair that she owned. Handl had minor roles in such landmark films as Night Train to Munich and Brief Encounter. Her other notable roles included the wife of the union activist Fred Kite (played by Peter Sellers) in I'm All Right Jack (1959); Mrs Gammon, the formidable cook, opposite Gordon Harker in Small Hotel (1957); Tony Hancock's landlady in The Rebel (1961); Sherlock Holmes's housekeeper, Mrs Hudson, in The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes (1970); and Morgan's Communist mother, Mrs Delt, in Morgan – A Suitable Case for Treatment (1966). She also had small roles in two of the Carry On films, Carry On Nurse and Carry On Constable), and played Miss Peach in the original version of The Italian Job. She worked until 1987, the year of her death. Her last role was released posthumously the following year.
Handl died in her flat in Kensington, West London, on 29 November 1987, aged 85, reportedly from cancer. She never married. She was cremated at Golders Green Crematorium, North London.
Known For
Filmography
| 1993 | Monkey Business · as Pg Tips Chimp |
| 1986 | Absolute Beginners · as Mrs Larkin |
| 1986 | Hotel du Lac · as Madame De Bonneuil |
| 1985 | All in Good Faith (TV Series) · as Annie Freeman |
| 1985 | Theatre Night (TV Series) · as Nurse |
| 1985 | In Sickness and In Health (TV Series) · as Gwenneth |
| 1985 | Mapp and Lucia (TV Series) · as Poppy, Duchess Of Sheffield |
| 1985 | Super Gran (TV Series) · as Clinging Ivey |
| 1984 | Screen Two (TV Series) · as Madame De Bonneuil |
| 1983 | Dramarama (TV Series) · as Maureen |
| 1982 | It's Your Move · as Grand Old Lady |
| 1981 | Riding High · as Gran |
| 1980 | The Great Rock 'n' Roll Swindle · as Cinema Usherette |
| 1980 | Metal Mickey (TV Series) · as Granny |
| 1979 | Cannon and Ball (TV Series) · as Irene The Neigbour |
| 1978 | The Light Princess · as Nanny |
| 1978 | The Hound of the Baskervilles · as Mrs. Barrymore |
| 1977 | The Last Remake of Beau Geste · as Miss Wormwood |
| 1977 | Come Play with Me · as Lady Bovington |
| 1977 | Stand Up, Virgin Soldiers · as Mrs. Phillimore |
| 1977 | Adventures of a Private Eye · as Miss Friggin |
| 1976 | Confessions of a Driving Instructor · as Miss Slenderparts |
| 1976 | The Fosters (TV Series) · as Mrs. Draper |
| 1975 | Angels (TV Series) · as Annie |
| 1972 | Madigan (TV Series) · as Augie's Mum |
| 1972 | For the Love of Ada · as Ada Bingley |
| 1970 | The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes · as Mrs. Hudson |
| 1970 | On a Clear Day You Can See Forever · as Winnie Wainwhisle |
| 1970 | Doctor in Trouble · as Mrs Dailey |
| 1970 | For The Love Of Ada (TV Series) |
| 1969 | The Italian Job · as Miss Peach |
| 1969 | Q... (TV Series) · as Special Guest |
| 1968 | Wonderwall · as Mrs. Peurofoy |
| 1968 | Lionheart · as Lil |
| 1967 | Smashing Time · as Mrs Gimble |
| 1967 | Misleading Cases (TV Series) · as Mrs. Philby-Potter |
| 1967 | The Mini-Mob · as Cook |
| 1966 | The Wrong Box · as Mrs. Hackett |
| 1966 | Morgan! · as Mrs. Delt |
| 1965 | You Must Be Joking! · as Elderly Woman |
| 1964 | NET Playhouse (TV Series) · as Miss Prism |
| 1964 | Theatre 625 (TV Series) · as Agnes Oaks |
| 1963 | Heavens Above! · as Rene Smith |
| 1963 | Just for Fun · as Housewife |
| 1962 | Hugh and I (TV Series) · as Miss Willow |
| 1961 | Double Bunk · as Mrs. Harper |
| 1961 | Nothing Barred · as Elsie |
| 1961 | The Rag Trade (TV Series) · as Reg's Mum |
| 1961 | Watch It, Sailor! · as Edie Hornett |
| 1961 | A Weekend with Lulu · as Florence Bell |
| 1961 | Call Me Genius · as Mrs. Crevatte |
| 1961 | The Night We Got the Bird · as Ma |
| 1960 | The Pure Hell of St. Trinian's · as Miss Harker-Parker |
| 1960 | Beware of Children · as Mrs. Spicer |
| 1960 | A French Mistress · as Staff Sergeant Hodges |
| 1960 | Citizen James (TV Series) · as Mrs. Bullock-Smythe |
| 1960 | Make Mine Mink · as Madame Spolinski |
| 1960 | Doctor in Love · as Professor Macritchie |
| 1960 | School for Scoundrels · as Mrs. Stringer |
| 1960 | Two Way Stretch · as Mrs. Price |
| 1960 | Carry on Constable · as Distraught Mother |
| 1960 | Inn for Trouble · as Lily |
| 1959 | Upstairs and Downstairs · as Large Woman |
| 1959 | Make Mine a Double · as Mrs Billingsgate |
| 1959 | I'm All Right Jack · as Mrs. Kite |
| 1959 | Left Right and Centre · as Mrs. Maggs |
| 1959 | Carry on Nurse · as Mrs Hickson |
| 1959 | Man in a Cocked Hat · as Mrs. Carter |
| 1959 | Desert Mice · as Miss Patch |
| 1958 | Next to No Time! · as Mrs. Crowley, Greengrocer |
| 1958 | H.G. Wells' Invisible Man (TV Series) · as Woman In Lift |
| 1958 | Law and Disorder · as Woman In Train |
| 1958 | Dial 999 (TV Series) · as Mrs. Rigby |
| 1958 | The Key · as Clerk |
| 1958 | Happy Is the Bride · as Madame Edna |
| 1957 | Small Hotel · as Mrs. Gammon |
| 1957 | Brothers in Law · as Mrs. Potter |
| 1957 | Theatre Night (TV Series) · as Amelia Puffin |
| 1956 | The Silken Affair · as Receptionist |
| 1956 | Now and Forever · as Middle-Aged Woman |
| 1956 | Armchair Theatre (TV Series) · as Miss Prism |
| 1956 | Hancock's Half Hour (TV Series) |
| 1956 | It's Never Too Late · as Neighbour |
| 1956 | Who Done It? · as Customer (uncredited) |
| 1955 | ITV Play of the Week (TV Series) · as Miss Rawlings |
| 1955 | The Adventures of Robin Hood (TV Series) · as Polly |
| 1955 | A Kid for Two Farthings · as Mrs. Abramowitz |
| 1954 | Mad About Men · as Mme. Blanche |
| 1954 | The Belles of St. Trinian's · as Miss Gale |
| 1954 | Duel in the Jungle · as Mary Taylor |
| 1954 | Young and Willing · as Waitress |
| 1954 | Burnt Evidence · as Mrs. Raymond |
| 1953 | Stryker of the Yard · as Cast |
| 1953 | Meet Mr. Lucifer · as Lady With The Dog |
| 1953 | The Wedding of Lilli Marlene · as Rosie |
| 1953 | Douglas Fairbanks, Jr. Presents (TV Series) · as Dora Rippe |
| 1952 | Mr. Potts Goes to Moscow · as Mrs. Tidmarsh |
| 1952 | Treasure Hunt · as Nanny |
| 1951 | Young Wives' Tale · as Nanny |
| 1951 | One Wild Oat · as Emily Pepys |
| 1950 | Stage Fright · as Mrs. Mason (uncredited) |
| 1950 | Sunday Night Theatre (TV Series) · as Mrs. Hassall |
| 1949 | The Perfect Woman · as Mrs. Butters |
| 1949 | Silent Dust · as Cook |
| 1949 | Adam and Evalyn · as Mrs. Crouch, Manageress (uncredited) |
| 1949 | For Them That Trespass · as Inn Proprietress |
| 1949 | Cardboard Cavalier · as Lady Agnes |
| 1949 | The History of Mr. Polly · as Lady On Left |
| 1948 | Woman Hater · as Mrs. Fletcher |
| 1947 | The Hills of Donegal · as Mrs. Mactavish |
| 1947 | Temptation Harbor · as Ethel Gowshall |
| 1947 | The Shop at Sly Corner · as Ruby Towser |
| 1946 | I'll Turn to You · as Mrs. Gammon |
| 1945 | Brief Encounter · as The Cellist And Organist (uncredited) |
| 1945 | Great Day · as Lady Serving Tea In Tea Stall. |
| 1945 | Kiss the Bride Goodbye · as Mrs. Victory |
| 1944 | Her Man Gilbey · as (uncredited) |
| 1944 | One Exciting Night · as Mrs. Harper |
| 1944 | Medal for the General · as Mrs. Farnsworth |
| 1944 | Mr. Emmanuel · as Trude |
| 1944 | Give Us the Moon · as Miss Haddock |
| 1944 | Welcome Mr Washington · as Mrs. Pidgeon |
| 1944 | It's in the Bag · as Mrs. Beam |
| 1943 | |
| 1943 | Dear Octopus · as Flora |
| 1943 | The Flemish Farm · as Frau |
| 1943 | I'll Walk Beside You · as Ma Perkins |
| 1943 | Millions Like Us · as Landlady |
| 1943 | Get Cracking · as Maggie Turner |
| 1942 | Uncensored · as Frau Von Koerner |
| 1942 | Partners in Crime · as Mrs. Wilson |
| 1941 | Mr. Proudfoot Shows a Light · as Councillor |
| 1941 | Mister V · as Bit Part |
| 1941 | The Spell of Amy Nugent · as Mrs. Nugent |
| 1941 | Gasbags · as Burgomaster's Wife |
| 1940 | George and Margaret · as Beer |
| 1940 | The Girl in the News · as Gertrude Mary Blaker |
| 1940 | Night Train to Munich · as Stationmaster (uncredited) |
| 1940 | Mrs. Pym of Scotland Yard · as Miss Bell |
| 1939 | Inspector Hornleigh on Holiday · as Boarder |
| 1939 | The Fugitive · as Neighbour |
| 1938 | Strange Boarders · as Mrs. Dewar |
| 1938 | The Terror · as Kitchen Maid |