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