Irene Handl
- Known for
- Acting
- Born
- December 27, 1901
- Died
- November 29, 1987 (aged 85)
- Birthplace
- Maida Vale, London, England, UK
Biography
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
Photos
Filmography
Never Say Die
TV · 6 eps
Absolute Beginners
Movie · as Mrs Larkin
Hotel du Lac
Movie · as Madame de Bonneuil
Super Gran
TV · as Clinging Ivey · 1 ep
Theatre Night
TV · as Nurse · 1 ep
In Sickness and in Health
TV · as Gwenneth · 2 eps
Mapp & Lucia
TV · as Poppy, Duchess of Sheffield · 1 ep
All in Good Faith
TV · as Annie Freeman · 1 ep
Dramarama
TV · as Maureen · 1 ep
It's Your Move
Movie · as Grand Old Lady
The Kenny Everett Television Show
TV · as Self · 1 ep
Legacy of Murder
TV · as Cousin Looby · 1 ep
Riding High
Movie · as Gran
The Best of the Adventures
Movie · as Miss Friggin (archive footage) (uncredited)
The Great Rock 'n' Roll Swindle
Movie · as Cinema Usherette
Metal Mickey
TV · as Granny · 38 eps
The Cannon & Ball Show
TV · as Irene The Neigbour · 1 ep
The Hound of the Baskervilles
Movie · as Mrs. Barrymore
The Light Princess
Movie · as Nanny
Come Play with Me
Movie · as Lady Bovington
Stand up, Virgin Soldiers
Movie · as Mrs. Phillimore
Adventures of a Private Eye
Movie · as Miss Friggin
The Last Remake of Beau Geste
Movie · as Miss Wormwood
Room to Let
Movie · as Lady on Crossing
Confessions of a Driving Instructor
Movie · as Miss Slenderparts
Maggie and Her
TV · as Mrs Perry · 14 eps
The Fosters
TV · as Mrs Draper · 1 ep
A Legacy
TV · as Grandmama Merz · 5 eps
For the Love of Ada
Movie · as Ada Bingley
On a Clear Day You Can See Forever
Movie · as Winnie Wainwhisle
The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes
Movie · as Mrs. Hudson
Doctor in Trouble
Movie · as Mrs. Dailey
For the Love of Ada
TV · as Ada Cresswell · 27 eps
Ben Travers Farces
TV · as Mrs. Bugle · 7 eps
The Italian Job
Movie · as Miss Peach
Wonderwall
Movie · as Mrs. Peurofoy
Look at Life: Saturday Special
Movie · as Self
World in Ferment
TV · as Madame Astoria · 6 eps
Lionheart
Movie · as Lil
Mum's Boys
TV · 7 eps
The Mini-Affair
Movie · as Cook
Smashing Time
Movie · as Mrs Gimble
Misleading Cases
TV · as Mrs Philby-Potter · 1 ep
Morgan: A Suitable Case for Treatment
Movie · as Mrs. Delt
The Wrong Box
Movie · as Mrs. Hackett
You Must Be Joking
Movie · as Elderly Woman
The Importance of Being Earnest
Movie
Theatre 625
TV · as Agnes Oaks · 1 ep
Heavens Above!
Movie · as Rene Smith
Just for Fun
Movie · as Housewife
A Weekend with Lulu
Movie · as Florence Bell
Watch It, Sailor!
Movie · as Edie Hornett
Double Bunk
Movie · as Mrs. Harper
Nothing Barred
Movie · as Elsie
The Rebel
Movie · as Mrs. Crevatte
Stryker of the Yard
TV · 2 eps
The Pure Hell of St Trinian's
Movie · as Miss Harker-Parker
Carry On Constable
Movie · as Willie's Mother
School for Scoundrels
Movie · as Mrs Stringer
No Kidding
Movie · as Mrs. Spicer
The Night We Got the Bird
Movie · as Ma
Two-Way Stretch
Movie · as Mrs. Price
Make Mine Mink
Movie · as Madame Spolinski
Inn for Trouble
Movie · as Lily
Doctor in Love
Movie · as Professor MacRitchie
A French Mistress
Movie · as Staff Sergeant Hodges
I'm All Right Jack
Movie · as Mrs. Kite
Carlton-Browne of the F.O.
Movie · as Mrs. Carter
Left Right and Centre
Movie · as Mrs. Maggs
Desert Mice
Movie · as Miss Maud Patch
Carry On Nurse
Movie · as Marge Hickson
The Crowning Touch
Movie · as Bebe
The Night We Dropped a Clanger
Movie · as Mrs Billingsgate
Upstairs and Downstairs
Movie · as Large Woman
Happy Is the Bride
Movie · as Madame Edna
Next to No Time
Movie · as Mrs. Crowley, Greengrocer
Law and Disorder
Movie · as Woman in Train
The Key
Movie · as Clerk
Educating Archie
TV · as Mrs. Twissle · 14 eps
Small Hotel
Movie · as Mrs. Gammon
Brothers in Law
Movie · as Mrs. Potter
The Silken Affair
Movie · as Receptionist
It's Never Too Late
Movie · as Neighbour
Who Done It?
Movie · as Customer (uncredited)
Hancock's Half Hour
TV · 3 eps
Armchair Theatre
TV · as Mrs. Micawber · 1 ep
A Kid for Two Farthings
Movie · as Mrs. Abramowitz
The Adventures of Robin Hood
TV · as Polly · 1 ep
Strange Experiences
TV · as Women · 1 ep
The Belles of St Trinian's
Movie · as Miss Gale
Mad About Men
Movie · as Mme. Blanche
Burnt Evidence
Movie · as Mrs. Raymond
The Weak and the Wicked
Movie · as Waitress
The Wedding of Lilli Marlene
Movie · as Rosie
Meet Mr. Lucifer
Movie · as Lady with the Dog
Top Secret
Movie · as Mrs. Tidmarsh
Treasure Hunt
Movie · as Nanny
One Wild Oat
Movie · as Emily Pepys
Young Wives' Tale
Movie · as Nanny (uncredited)
Stage Fright
Movie · as Mrs. Mason (uncredited)
The Perfect Woman
Movie · as Mrs. Butters
Silent Dust
Movie · as Cook
Cardboard Cavalier
Movie · as Lady Agnes
For Them That Trespass
Movie · as Inn Proprietress
Dark Secret
Movie · as 'Woody' Woodman
Adam and Evelyne
Movie · as Mrs. Crouch, Manageress (uncredited)
Woman Hater
Movie · as Mrs. Fletcher
The Shop at Sly Corner
Movie · as Ruby Towser
Temptation Harbour
Movie · as Ethel Gowshall
The Hills of Donegal
Movie · as Mrs. Mactavish
I'll Turn to You
Movie · as Mrs. Gammon
For You Alone
Movie · as Miss Trotter
Kiss the Bride Goodbye
Movie · as Mrs. Victory
Brief Encounter
Movie · as The Cellist and Organist (uncredited)
Great Day
Movie · as Lady serving Tea in Tea Stall.
Mr. Emmanuel
Movie · as Trude
Give Us the Moon
Movie · as Miss Haddock
It's in the Bag
Movie · as Mrs. Beam
Medal for the General
Movie · as Mrs. Farnsworth
English Without Tears
Movie · as (uncredited)
The Flemish Farm
Movie · as Frau
Rhythm Serenade
Movie
I'll Walk Beside You
Movie · as Ma Perkins
Millions Like Us
Movie · as Landlady
Get Cracking
Movie · as Maggie Turner
Uncensored
Movie · as Frau Von Koerner
Partners in Crime
Movie · as Mrs. Wilson
The Spell of Amy Nugent
Movie · as Mrs. Nugent
Mr. Proudfoot Shows a Light
Movie · as Councillor
Gasbags
Movie · as Burgomaster's wife
"Pimpernel" Smith
Movie · as Bit Part
George and Margaret
Movie · as Beer
Girl in the News
Movie · as Gertrude Mary Blaker
Mrs Pym of Scotland Yard
Movie · as Miss Bell
Night Train to Munich
Movie · as Stationmaster (uncredited)
On the Night of the Fire
Movie · as Neighbour
Strange Boarders
Movie · as Mrs. Dewar
The Terror
Movie · as Kitchen Maid