Athene Seyler
Known for: Acting
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Athene Seyler, CBE (31 May 1889 – 12 September 1990) was an English actress. Although better known as a stage actress - she first appeared on the stage in 1909 - she made her film debut in 1921, and became known for playing slightly dotty old ladies in many British films from the 1930s to the 1960s. Her most memorable stage credits included Mrs. Malaprop in The Rivals, Lady Bracknell in The Importance of Being Earnest, and a double-act, with her good friend Dame Sybil Thorndike, as the murderous spinster sisters in Arsenic and Old Lace. Her film and television career lasted into the 1960s, and included roles in The Citadel (1938), Night of the Demon (1957), and The Avengers (1964, 1965). She was also a regular cast member in screen adaptations of Charles Dickens' novels. She virtually retired from acting after 1970, but continued making public appearances until well into the 1980s. In 1990, at the age of 101, she appeared at the National Theatre, talking about her long life and career. Athene Seyler was President of the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) from 1950, and a member of the Theatrical Ladies' Guild. She also wrote The Craft of Comedy. She was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 1959.
Filmography
Series
The Avengers
1961
Series
BBC Play of the Month
Lucy Amorest
1965
Series
BBC Play of the Month
Mrs. Whyte
1965
Series
BBC Play of the Month
Mrs. Boham
1965
Series
The Third Man
1959
Film
Visa to Canton
Mao Tai Tai
1960
The World of Wooster
Aunt Isbel
1965
Film
Night of the Demon
Mrs. Karswell
1957
Film
The Inn of the Sixth Happiness
Jeannie Lawson
1958
Film
The Citadel
Lady Raebank
1938
Film
Francis of Assisi
Aunt Buona
1961
Film
The Queen of Spades
Princess Ivashin
1949
Film
A Tale of Two Cities
Miss Pross
1958
Series
Armchair Theatre
Lady Corm
1956
Series
Armchair Theatre
Nellie Pringle
1956
Film
Yield to the Night
Miss Bligh
1956
Film
The Private Life of Don Juan
Theresa, the Innkeeper, a Middle Aged Lady of Young Sentiment
1934
Film
The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby
Miss La Creevy
1947
Film
The Weak and the Wicked
Millie Williams
1954
Film
I Thank a Fool
Aunt Heather Chandler
1962
Film
Satan Never Sleeps
Sister Agness
1962
Film
Campbell's Kingdom
Miss Abigail
1957
Film
As Long as They're Happy
Mrs. Arbuthnot
1955
Film
Young Wives' Tale
Nanny Gallop
1951
Film
Scrooge
Scrooge's Charwoman
1935
Film
Nurse on Wheels
Miss Farthingale
1963
Film
For Better, for Worse
Miss Mainbrace
1954
Film
The Girl on the Boat
Mrs Adelaide Hignett
1962
Film
Secret People
Mrs. Reginald Kellick
1952
Film
Happy Is the Bride
Aunt Harriet
1958
Film
Doctor at Large
Lady Hawkins
1957
Film
The First Gentleman
Miss Knight
1948
Film
The Beggar's Opera
Mrs. Trapes
1953
Film
A French Mistress
Beatrice Peake
1960
Film
Letter from Home
Mrs Ashford
1941
Film
The Pickwick Papers
Miss Witherfield
1952
The Adventures of Mr. Pickwick
Rachel Wardle
1921
Film
The Perfect Lady
Lady Westhaven
1931
Film
The Franchise Affair
Aunt Lin
1951
Film
Make Mine Mink
Dame Beatrice Appleby
1960
Film
How to Murder a Rich Uncle
Grannie (Victoria Clitterbern)
1957
Film
Quiet Wedding
Aunt Mary
1941
Film
The Saint in London
Mother Buckley
1939
Film
Southern Roses
Mrs. Rowland
1936
The Sky’s the Limit
Miss Prinny
1937
Film
Drake of England
Queen Elizabeth
1935
The Invasion
Lady Corm
1963
Film
Jassy
1947
Film
Irish for Luck
The Duchess
1936
Film
Moscow Nights
Madame Anna Sabine
1934
Film
It's Love Again
Mrs. Durland
1936
Film
Sensation
Madame Henry
1936
Film
Non-Stop New York
Aunt Veronica
1937
Film
Treasure Hunt
Consuelo Howard
1952
Film
The Lilac Domino
Madame Alary
1937
Film
The Mill on the Floss
Mrs. Pullet
1937
Film
Young Man's Fancy
Milliner
1939
Early to Bed
Frau Waiser
1933
Film
Two and Two Make Six
Aunt Phoebe Tonks
1962
Film
Made in Heaven
Miss Honeycroft
1952
Film
Sailing Along
Victoria Gulliver
1938
Dear Octopus
Aunt Belle
1943
A Woman of No Importance
Lady Hunstanton
1960
Film
Blossom Time
Archduchess Maria Victoria
1934
Film
Tell Me Tonight
Mrs. Pategg
1932
Film
Jane Steps Out
Grandma
1938
Film
The Ware Case
Mrs Pinto
1938
Don't Utter a Note
Nellie Pringle
1966