Irene Handl

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.

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Known For

Filmography

1987

TV
Never Say Die
TV - Released: 11/16/1987

1986

Absolute Beginners
Absolute Beginners
as Mrs Larkin
Movie - Released: 4/4/1986
Hotel du Lac
Hotel du Lac
as Madame de Bonneuil
Movie - Released: 3/2/1986

1985

Super Gran
Super Gran
as Clinging Ivey
TV - Released: 1/20/1985
TV
Theatre Night
TV - Released: 9/15/1985

1982

It's Your Move
It's Your Move
as Grand Old Lady
Movie - Released: 10/18/1982
The Kenny Everett Television Show
The Kenny Everett Television Show
as Self
TV - Released: 2/25/1982
TV
Legacy of Murder
as Cousin Looby
TV - Released: 2/16/1982

1981

Riding High
Riding High
as Gran
Movie - Released: 5/1/1981

1980

The Great Rock 'n' Roll Swindle
The Great Rock 'n' Roll Swindle
as Cinema Usherette
Movie - Released: 9/11/1980
Metal Mickey
Metal Mickey
as Granny
TV - Released: 9/6/1980

1979

The Cannon & Ball Show
The Cannon & Ball Show
as Irene The Neigbour
TV - Released: 7/28/1979

1978

The Hound of the Baskervilles
The Hound of the Baskervilles
as Mrs. Barrymore
Movie - Released: 8/1/1978
The Light Princess
The Light Princess
as Nanny
Movie - Released: 12/24/1978

1977

Come Play with Me
Come Play with Me
as Lady Bovington
Movie - Released: 4/28/1977
Stand up, Virgin Soldiers
Stand up, Virgin Soldiers
as Mrs. Phillimore
Movie - Released: 4/4/1977
Adventures of a Private Eye
Adventures of a Private Eye
as Miss Friggin
Movie - Released: 3/4/1977
The Last Remake of Beau Geste
The Last Remake of Beau Geste
as Miss Wormwood
Movie - Released: 6/15/1977

1976

Movie
Room to Let
as Lady on crossing
Movie - Released: 1/1/1976
Confessions of a Driving Instructor
Confessions of a Driving Instructor
as Miss Slenderparts
Movie - Released: 9/1/1976
TV
Maggie and Her
as Mrs. Perry
TV - Released: 8/13/1976

1972

For the Love of Ada
For the Love of Ada
as Ada Bingley
Movie - Released: 1/1/1972

1970

On a Clear Day You Can See Forever
On a Clear Day You Can See Forever
as Winnie Wainwhisle
Movie - Released: 6/17/1970
The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes
The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes
as Mrs. Hudson
Movie - Released: 10/29/1970
Doctor in Trouble
Doctor in Trouble
as Mrs Dailey
Movie - Released: 6/16/1970
For the Love of Ada
For the Love of Ada
TV - Released: 4/20/1970

1969

The Italian Job
The Italian Job
as Miss Peach
Movie - Released: 6/2/1969
Look at Life: Saturday Special
Look at Life: Saturday Special
as Self
Movie - Released: 1/1/1969
TV
World in Ferment
as Madame Astoria
TV - Released: 6/23/1969

1968

Wonderwall
Wonderwall
as Mrs. Peurofoy
Movie - Released: 5/17/1968
Lionheart
Lionheart
as Lil
Movie - Released: 1/1/1968
TV
Mum's Boys
TV - Released: 4/3/1968

1967

The Mini-Affair
The Mini-Affair
as Cook
Movie - Released: 1/1/1967
Smashing Time
Smashing Time
as Mrs Gimble
Movie - Released: 12/20/1967

1966

Morgan: A Suitable Case for Treatment
Morgan: A Suitable Case for Treatment
as Mrs. Delt
Movie - Released: 4/3/1966
The Wrong Box
The Wrong Box
as Mrs. Hackett
Movie - Released: 6/19/1966

1965

You Must Be Joking
You Must Be Joking
as Elderly Woman
Movie - Released: 8/3/1965

1964

Movie
The Importance of Being Earnest
Movie - Released: 11/15/1964

1963

Heavens Above!
Heavens Above!
as Rene Smith
Movie - Released: 5/20/1963
Just for Fun
Just for Fun
as Housewife
Movie - Released: 2/1/1963

1961

A Weekend with Lulu
A Weekend with Lulu
as Florence Bell
Movie - Released: 4/10/1961
Watch It, Sailor!
Watch It, Sailor!
as Edie Hornett
Movie - Released: 8/14/1961
Double Bunk
Double Bunk
as Mrs. Harper
Movie - Released: 5/6/1961
Nothing Barred
Nothing Barred
as Elsie
Movie - Released: 10/10/1961
The Rebel
The Rebel
as Mrs. Crevatte
Movie - Released: 3/7/1961
TV
Stryker of the Yard
TV - Released: 11/2/1961

1960

The Pure Hell of St. Trinian's
The Pure Hell of St. Trinian's
as Miss Harker-Parker
Movie - Released: 12/22/1960
Carry On Constable
Carry On Constable
as Distraught Mother
Movie - Released: 2/22/1960
School for Scoundrels
School for Scoundrels
as Mrs. Stringer
Movie - Released: 3/24/1960
No Kidding
No Kidding
as Mrs. Spicer
Movie - Released: 11/1/1960
The Night We Got the Bird
The Night We Got the Bird
as Ma
Movie - Released: 11/3/1960
Two Way Stretch
Two Way Stretch
as Mrs. Price
Movie - Released: 12/20/1960
Make Mine Mink
Make Mine Mink
as Madame Spolinski
Movie - Released: 8/9/1960
Inn for Trouble
Inn for Trouble
as Lily
Movie - Released: 1/31/1960
Doctor in Love
Doctor in Love
as Professor MacRitchie
Movie - Released: 7/12/1960
A French Mistress
A French Mistress
as Staff Sergeant Hodges
Movie - Released: 8/25/1960

1959

I'm All Right Jack
I'm All Right Jack
as Mrs. Kite
Movie - Released: 8/18/1959
Carlton-Browne of the F.O.
Carlton-Browne of the F.O.
as Mrs. Carter
Movie - Released: 3/10/1959
Left Right and Centre
Left Right and Centre
as Mrs. Maggs
Movie - Released: 6/23/1959
Desert Mice
Desert Mice
as Miss Patch
Movie - Released: 1/5/1959
Carry On Nurse
Carry On Nurse
as Mrs Hickson
Movie - Released: 1/30/1959
Movie
The Crowning Touch
as Bebe
Movie - Released: 6/1/1959
The Night We Dropped a Clanger
The Night We Dropped a Clanger
as Mrs Billingsgate
Movie - Released: 10/10/1959
Upstairs and Downstairs
Upstairs and Downstairs
as Large Woman
Movie - Released: 11/2/1959

1958

Happy Is the Bride
Happy Is the Bride
as Madame Edna
Movie - Released: 3/4/1958
Next to No Time
Next to No Time
as Mrs. Crowley, Greengrocer
Movie - Released: 8/4/1958
Law and Disorder
Law and Disorder
as Woman in Train
Movie - Released: 6/9/1958
The Key
The Key
as Clerk
Movie - Released: 5/28/1958

1957

Small Hotel
Small Hotel
as Mrs. Gammon
Movie - Released: 10/14/1957
Brothers in Law
Brothers in Law
as Mrs. Potter
Movie - Released: 3/4/1957

1956

The Silken Affair
The Silken Affair
as Receptionist
Movie - Released: 10/2/1956
It's Never Too Late
It's Never Too Late
as Neighbour
Movie - Released: 5/7/1956
Who Done It?
Who Done It?
as Customer (uncredited)
Movie - Released: 3/20/1956
Hancock's Half Hour
Hancock's Half Hour
TV - Released: 7/6/1956

1955

A Kid for Two Farthings
A Kid for Two Farthings
as Mrs. Abramowitz
Movie - Released: 8/15/1955
The Adventures of Robin Hood
The Adventures of Robin Hood
as Polly
TV - Released: 9/26/1955

1954

The Belles of St. Trinian's
The Belles of St. Trinian's
as Miss Gale
Movie - Released: 9/28/1954
Mad About Men
Mad About Men
as Mme. Blanche
Movie - Released: 11/16/1954
Burnt Evidence
Burnt Evidence
as Mrs. Raymond
Movie - Released: 7/5/1954
The Weak and the Wicked
The Weak and the Wicked
as Waitress
Movie - Released: 2/2/1954

1953

The Wedding of Lilli Marlene
The Wedding of Lilli Marlene
as Rosie
Movie - Released: 11/30/1953
Meet Mr. Lucifer
Meet Mr. Lucifer
as Lady with the Dog
Movie - Released: 11/30/1953

1952

Top Secret
Top Secret
as Mrs. Tidmarsh
Movie - Released: 11/10/1952
Treasure Hunt
Treasure Hunt
as Nanny
Movie - Released: 6/1/1952

1951

One Wild Oat
One Wild Oat
as Emily Pepys
Movie - Released: 5/16/1951

1950

Stage Fright
Stage Fright
as Mrs. Mason (uncredited)
Movie - Released: 2/23/1950

1949

The Perfect Woman
The Perfect Woman
as Mrs. Butters
Movie - Released: 5/23/1949
Silent Dust
Silent Dust
as Cook
Movie - Released: 2/1/1949
Cardboard Cavalier
Cardboard Cavalier
as Lady Agnes
Movie - Released: 3/31/1949
For Them That Trespass
For Them That Trespass
as Inn Proprietress
Movie - Released: 4/21/1949
Dark Secret
Dark Secret
as 'Woody' Woodman
Movie - Released: 10/30/1949
Adam and Evelyne
Adam and Evelyne
as Mrs. Crouch, Manageress (uncredited)
Movie - Released: 5/31/1949

1948

Woman Hater
Woman Hater
as Mrs. Fletcher
Movie - Released: 10/13/1948

1947

The Shop at Sly Corner
The Shop at Sly Corner
as Ruby Towser
Movie - Released: 3/10/1947
Temptation Harbour
Temptation Harbour
as Ethel Gowshall
Movie - Released: 2/27/1947
The Hills of Donegal
The Hills of Donegal
as Mrs. Mactavish
Movie - Released: 9/1/1947

1946

Movie
I'll Turn to You
as Mrs. Gammon
Movie - Released: 6/17/1946

1945

For You Alone
For You Alone
as Miss Trotter
Movie - Released: 5/28/1945
Kiss the Bride Goodbye
Kiss the Bride Goodbye
as Mrs. Victory
Movie - Released: 1/28/1945
Brief Encounter
Brief Encounter
as The Cellist and Organist (uncredited)
Movie - Released: 11/24/1945
Great Day
Great Day
as Lady serving Tea in Tea Stall.
Movie - Released: 7/9/1945

1944

Mr. Emmanuel
Mr. Emmanuel
as Trude
Movie - Released: 8/2/1944
Give Us the Moon
Give Us the Moon
as Miss Haddock
Movie - Released: 7/31/1944
Movie
It's in the Bag
as Mrs. Beam
Movie - Released: 2/7/1944
Medal for the General
Medal for the General
as Mrs. Farnsworth
Movie - Released: 11/6/1944
English Without Tears
English Without Tears
as (uncredited)
Movie - Released: 7/28/1944

1943

The Flemish Farm
The Flemish Farm
as Frau
Movie - Released: 9/6/1943
Rhythm Serenade
Rhythm Serenade
Movie - Released: 10/11/1943
I'll Walk Beside You
I'll Walk Beside You
as Ma Perkins
Movie - Released: 8/16/1943
Millions Like Us
Millions Like Us
as Landlady
Movie - Released: 6/1/1943
Get Cracking
Get Cracking
as Maggie Turner
Movie - Released: 5/17/1943

1942

Uncensored
Uncensored
as Frau Von Koerner
Movie - Released: 8/24/1942
Partners in Crime
Partners in Crime
as Mrs. Wilson
Movie - Released: 6/2/1942

1941

The Spell of Amy Nugent
The Spell of Amy Nugent
as Mrs. Nugent
Movie - Released: 5/10/1941
Movie
Mr. Proudfoot Shows a Light
as Councillor
Movie - Released: 12/30/1941
Gasbags
Gasbags
as Burgomaster's wife
Movie - Released: 2/1/1941
'Pimpernel' Smith
'Pimpernel' Smith
as Bit Part
Movie - Released: 7/28/1941

1940

George and Margaret
George and Margaret
as Beer
Movie - Released: 11/30/1940
Girl in the News
Girl in the News
as Gertrude Mary Blaker
Movie - Released: 8/28/1940
Mrs Pym of Scotland Yard
Mrs Pym of Scotland Yard
as Miss Bell
Movie - Released: 4/13/1940
Night Train to Munich
Night Train to Munich
as Stationmaster (uncredited)
Movie - Released: 8/31/1940

1939

On the Night of the Fire
On the Night of the Fire
as Neighbour
Movie - Released: 10/26/1939

1938

Strange Boarders
Strange Boarders
as Mrs. Dewar
Movie - Released: 5/1/1938
The Terror
The Terror
as Kitchen Maid
Movie - Released: 5/2/1938