Irene Handl
Known for: Acting
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.
Filmography
Series
Theatre 625
Agnes Oaks
1964
Series
The Adventures of Robin Hood
Polly
1955
Series
Hancock's Half Hour
1956
Film
The Italian Job
Miss Peach
1969
Series
Dramarama
Maureen
1983
Series
In Sickness and in Health
Gwenneth
1985
Film
Brief Encounter
The Cellist and Organist (uncredited)
1945
Series
The Kenny Everett Television Show
Self
1982
Series
Super Gran
Clinging Ivey
1985
Stryker of the Yard
1961
Series
The Fosters
Mrs Draper
1976
Series
Strange Experiences
Women
1955
Ben Travers Farces
Mrs. Bugle
1970
Film
Stage Fright
Mrs. Mason (uncredited)
1950
Film
The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes
Mrs. Hudson
1970
Series
Mapp & Lucia
Poppy, Duchess of Sheffield
1985
Series
The Cannon & Ball Show
Irene The Neigbour
1979
Series
For the Love of Ada
Ada Cresswell
1970
Film
Carry On Nurse
Marge Hickson
1959
Series
Theatre Night
Nurse
1985
Film
On a Clear Day You Can See Forever
Winnie Wainwhisle
1970
Series
Metal Mickey
Granny
1980
Film
The Wrong Box
Mrs. Hackett
1966
Film
I'm All Right Jack
Mrs. Kite
1959
Film
The Key
Clerk
1958
Educating Archie
Mrs. Twissle
1958
Film
Come Play with Me
Lady Bovington
1977
Film
The Last Remake of Beau Geste
Miss Wormwood
1977
Film
Confessions of a Driving Instructor
Miss Slenderparts
1976
Film
Absolute Beginners
Mrs Larkin
1986
Film
Night Train to Munich
Stationmaster (uncredited)
1940
Film
The Belles of St Trinian's
Miss Gale
1954
Series
Armchair Theatre
Mrs. Micawber
1956
Film
Wonderwall
Mrs. Peurofoy
1969
Film
Adventures of a Private Eye
Miss Friggin
1977
Film
Heavens Above!
Rene Smith
1963
Film
Two-Way Stretch
Mrs. Price
1960
Film
Morgan: A Suitable Case for Treatment
Mrs. Delt
1966
Film
The Great Rock 'n' Roll Swindle
Cinema Usherette
1980
World in Ferment
Madame Astoria
1969
Film
Happy Is the Bride
Madame Edna
1958
Film
School for Scoundrels
Mrs Stringer
1960
Film
"Pimpernel" Smith
Bit Part
1941
Film
The Rebel
Mrs. Crevatte
1961
Never Say Die
1987
Film
Carry On Constable
Willie's Mother
1960
Film
A Kid for Two Farthings
Mrs. Abramowitz
1955
Legacy of Murder
Cousin Looby
1982
Film
The Hound of the Baskervilles
Mrs. Barrymore
1978
Mum's Boys
1968
Film
Carlton-Browne of the F.O.
Mrs. Carter
1959
Film
The Shop at Sly Corner
Ruby Towser
1947
Film
Adam and Evelyne
Mrs. Crouch, Manageress (uncredited)
1949
Film
The Best of the Adventures
Miss Friggin (archive footage) (uncredited)
1981
Film
The Light Princess
Nanny
1978
Film
Girl in the News
Gertrude Mary Blaker
1940
Film
The Silken Affair
Receptionist
1956
Film
For Them That Trespass
Inn Proprietress
1949
Film
Who Done It?
Customer (uncredited)
1956
Film
Woman Hater
Mrs. Fletcher
1948
Film
Upstairs and Downstairs
Large Woman
1959
Film
Doctor in Love
Professor MacRitchie
1960
Film
Mad About Men
Mme. Blanche
1954
Film
You Must Be Joking
Elderly Woman
1965
Film
Young Wives' Tale
Nanny (uncredited)
1951
Film
Brothers in Law
Mrs. Potter
1957
Film
A French Mistress
Staff Sergeant Hodges
1960
Film
Stand up, Virgin Soldiers
Mrs. Phillimore
1977
Film
Doctor in Trouble
Mrs. Dailey
1970
Film
The Weak and the Wicked
Waitress
1954
Film
Law and Disorder
Woman in Train
1958
Film
Left Right and Centre
Mrs. Maggs
1959
Film
The Night We Dropped a Clanger
Mrs Billingsgate
1959
Maggie and Her
Mrs. Perry
1976
Film
Meet Mr. Lucifer
Lady with the Dog
1953
Film
Top Secret
Mrs. Tidmarsh
1952
Film
Millions Like Us
Landlady
1943
Film
The Pure Hell of St Trinian's
Miss Harker-Parker
1960
Film
No Kidding
Mrs. Spicer
1960
Film
Make Mine Mink
Madame Spolinski
1960
Film
It's Your Move
Grand Old Lady
1982
Film
One Wild Oat
Emily Pepys
1951
Film
Just for Fun
Housewife
1963
Film
Treasure Hunt
Nanny
1952
Film
Smashing Time
Mrs Gimble
1967
Film
Double Bunk
Mrs. Harper
1961
Film
The Spell of Amy Nugent
Mrs. Nugent
1941
Film
Next to No Time
Mrs. Crowley, Greengrocer
1958
Film
The Perfect Woman
Mrs. Butters
1949
Film
Desert Mice
Miss Maud Patch
1959
Film
Temptation Harbour
Ethel Gowshall
1947
Film
Mr. Emmanuel
Trude
1944
Film
Nothing Barred
Elsie
1961
Film
Small Hotel
Mrs. Gammon
1957
Film
I'll Walk Beside You
Ma Perkins
1943
The Importance of Being Earnest
1964
Film
Inn for Trouble
Lily
1960
Film
Riding High
Gran
1981
Film
On the Night of the Fire
Neighbour
1939
Film
Watch It, Sailor!
Edie Hornett
1961
Film
Uncensored
Frau Von Koerner
1942
Film
Cardboard Cavalier
Lady Agnes
1949
Film
Burnt Evidence
Mrs. Raymond
1954
Film
The Night We Got the Bird
Ma
1960
Film
For the Love of Ada
Ada Bingley
1972
Film
The Mini-Affair
Cook
1967
The Crowning Touch
Bebe
1959
The Terror
Kitchen Maid
1938
Film
Hotel du Lac
Madame de Bonneuil
1986
Film
Silent Dust
Cook
1949
Film
Kiss the Bride Goodbye
Mrs. Victory
1945
Film
Great Day
Lady serving Tea in Tea Stall.
1945
Film
Gasbags
Burgomaster's wife
1941
Film
Strange Boarders
Mrs. Dewar
1938
Film
Dark Secret
'Woody' Woodman
1949
I'll Turn to You
Mrs. Gammon
1946
Film
Mrs Pym of Scotland Yard
Miss Bell
1940
Film
Medal for the General
Mrs. Farnsworth
1944
Film
It's Never Too Late
Neighbour
1956
Film
A Weekend with Lulu
Florence Bell
1961
Film
English Without Tears
(uncredited)
1944
Film
The Flemish Farm
Frau
1943
Film
Get Cracking
Maggie Turner
1943
Film
Rhythm Serenade
1943
Film
The Wedding of Lilli Marlene
Rosie
1953
Film
For You Alone
Miss Trotter
1945
Film
Give Us the Moon
Miss Haddock
1944
Mr. Proudfoot Shows a Light
Councillor
1941
Film
The Hills of Donegal
Mrs. Mactavish
1947
It's in the Bag
Mrs. Beam
1944
Film
Lionheart
Lil
1968
Room to Let
Lady on crossing
1976
Partners in Crime
Mrs. Wilson
1942
Film
George and Margaret
Beer
1940
Film
Look at Life: Saturday Special
Self
1969