
Irene Handl
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.
Known For
Credits
- 1987 · Never Say Die as
- 1986 · Absolute Beginners as Mrs Larkin
- 1986 · Hotel du Lac as Madame de Bonneuil
- 1985 · Theatre Night as
- 1985 · Super Gran as Clinging Ivey
- 1982 · It's Your Move as Grand Old Lady
- 1982 · The Kenny Everett Television Show as Self
- 1982 · Legacy of Murder as Cousin Looby
- 1981 · Riding High as Gran
- 1980 · The Great Rock 'n' Roll Swindle as Cinema Usherette
- 1980 · Metal Mickey as Granny
- 1979 · The Cannon & Ball Show 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 · Maggie and Her as Mrs. Perry
- 1976 · Room to Let as Lady on crossing
- 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 as
- 1969 · World in Ferment as Madame Astoria
- 1969 · The Italian Job as Miss Peach
- 1969 · Look at Life: Saturday Special as Self
- 1968 · Wonderwall as Mrs. Peurofoy
- 1968 · Mum's Boys as
- 1968 · Lionheart as Lil
- 1967 · Smashing Time as Mrs Gimble
- 1967 · The Mini-Affair as Cook
- 1966 · The Wrong Box as Mrs. Hackett
- 1966 · Morgan: A Suitable Case for Treatment as Mrs. Delt
- 1965 · You Must Be Joking as Elderly Woman
- 1964 · The Importance of Being Earnest as
- 1963 · Heavens Above! as Rene Smith
- 1963 · Just for Fun as Housewife
- 1961 · Stryker of the Yard as
- 1961 · Nothing Barred as Elsie
- 1961 · Watch It, Sailor! as Edie Hornett
- 1961 · Double Bunk as Mrs. Harper
- 1961 · A Weekend with Lulu as Florence Bell
- 1961 · The Rebel as Mrs. Crevatte
- 1960 · The Pure Hell of St. Trinian's as Miss Harker-Parker
- 1960 · Two Way Stretch as Mrs. Price
- 1960 · The Night We Got the Bird as Ma
- 1960 · No Kidding as Mrs. Spicer
- 1960 · A French Mistress as Staff Sergeant Hodges
- 1960 · Make Mine Mink as Madame Spolinski
- 1960 · Doctor in Love as Professor MacRitchie
- 1960 · School for Scoundrels as Mrs. Stringer
- 1960 · Carry On Constable as Distraught Mother
- 1960 · Inn for Trouble as Lily
- 1959 · Upstairs and Downstairs as Large Woman
- 1959 · The Night We Dropped a Clanger as Mrs Billingsgate
- 1959 · I'm All Right Jack as Mrs. Kite
- 1959 · Left Right and Centre as Mrs. Maggs
- 1959 · The Crowning Touch as Bebe
- 1959 · Carlton-Browne of the F.O. as Mrs. Carter
- 1959 · Carry On Nurse as Mrs Hickson
- 1959 · Desert Mice as Miss Patch
- 1958 · Next to No Time as Mrs. Crowley, Greengrocer
- 1958 · Law and Disorder as Woman in Train
- 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
- 1956 · The Silken Affair as Receptionist
- 1956 · Hancock's Half Hour as
- 1956 · It's Never Too Late as Neighbour
- 1956 · Who Done It? as Customer (uncredited)
- 1955 · The Adventures of Robin Hood 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 · Burnt Evidence as Mrs. Raymond
- 1954 · The Weak and the Wicked as Waitress
- 1953 · Meet Mr. Lucifer as Lady with the Dog
- 1953 · The Wedding of Lilli Marlene as Rosie
- 1952 · Top Secret as Mrs. Tidmarsh
- 1952 · Treasure Hunt as Nanny
- 1951 · One Wild Oat as Emily Pepys
- 1950 · Stage Fright as Mrs. Mason (uncredited)
- 1949 · Dark Secret as 'Woody' Woodman
- 1949 · Adam and Evelyne as Mrs. Crouch, Manageress (uncredited)
- 1949 · The Perfect Woman as Mrs. Butters
- 1949 · For Them That Trespass as Inn Proprietress
- 1949 · Cardboard Cavalier as Lady Agnes
- 1949 · Silent Dust as Cook
- 1948 · Woman Hater as Mrs. Fletcher
- 1947 · The Hills of Donegal as Mrs. Mactavish
- 1947 · The Shop at Sly Corner as Ruby Towser
- 1947 · Temptation Harbour as Ethel Gowshall
- 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 · For You Alone as Miss Trotter
- 1945 · Kiss the Bride Goodbye as Mrs. Victory
- 1944 · Medal for the General as Mrs. Farnsworth
- 1944 · Mr. Emmanuel as Trude
- 1944 · Give Us the Moon as Miss Haddock
- 1944 · English Without Tears as (uncredited)
- 1944 · It's in the Bag as Mrs. Beam
- 1943 · Rhythm Serenade as
- 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 · 'Pimpernel' Smith 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 · Night Train to Munich as Stationmaster (uncredited)
- 1940 · Girl in the News as Gertrude Mary Blaker
- 1940 · Mrs Pym of Scotland Yard as Miss Bell
- 1939 · On the Night of the Fire as Neighbour
- 1938 · The Terror as Kitchen Maid
- 1938 · Strange Boarders as Mrs. Dewar