Acting
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.
Filmography
Never Say Die
Series · 1987
Absolute Beginners
Film · 1986
Hotel du Lac
Film · 1986
Super Gran
Series · 1985
Theatre Night
Series · 1985
In Sickness and in Health
Series · 1985
Mapp & Lucia
Series · 1985
Dramarama
Series · 1983
It's Your Move
Film · 1982
The Kenny Everett Television Show
Series · 1982
Legacy of Murder
Series · 1982
Riding High
Film · 1981
The Best of the Adventures
Film · 1981
The Great Rock 'n' Roll Swindle
Film · 1980
Metal Mickey
Series · 1980
The Cannon & Ball Show
Series · 1979
The Hound of the Baskervilles
Film · 1978
The Light Princess
Film · 1978
Come Play with Me
Film · 1977
Stand up, Virgin Soldiers
Film · 1977
Adventures of a Private Eye
Film · 1977
The Last Remake of Beau Geste
Film · 1977
Room to Let
Film · 1976
Confessions of a Driving Instructor
Film · 1976
Maggie and Her
Series · 1976
The Fosters
Series · 1976
A Legacy
Series · 1975
For the Love of Ada
Film · 1972
On a Clear Day You Can See Forever
Film · 1970
The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes
Film · 1970
Doctor in Trouble
Film · 1970
For the Love of Ada
Series · 1970
Ben Travers Farces
Series · 1970
The Italian Job
Film · 1969
Wonderwall
Film · 1969
Look at Life: Saturday Special
Film · 1969
World in Ferment
Series · 1969
Lionheart
Film · 1968
Mum's Boys
Series · 1968
The Mini-Affair
Film · 1967
Smashing Time
Film · 1967
Misleading Cases
Series · 1967
Morgan: A Suitable Case for Treatment
Film · 1966
The Wrong Box
Film · 1966
You Must Be Joking
Film · 1965
The Importance of Being Earnest
Film · 1964
Theatre 625
Series · 1964
Heavens Above!
Film · 1963
Just for Fun
Film · 1963
A Weekend with Lulu
Film · 1961
Watch It, Sailor!
Film · 1961
Double Bunk
Film · 1961
Nothing Barred
Film · 1961
The Rebel
Film · 1961
Stryker of the Yard
Series · 1961
The Pure Hell of St Trinian's
Film · 1960
Carry On Constable
Film · 1960
School for Scoundrels
Film · 1960
No Kidding
Film · 1960
The Night We Got the Bird
Film · 1960
Two-Way Stretch
Film · 1960
Make Mine Mink
Film · 1960
Inn for Trouble
Film · 1960
Doctor in Love
Film · 1960
A French Mistress
Film · 1960
I'm All Right Jack
Film · 1959
Carlton-Browne of the F.O.
Film · 1959
Left Right and Centre
Film · 1959
Desert Mice
Film · 1959
Carry On Nurse
Film · 1959
The Crowning Touch
Film · 1959
The Night We Dropped a Clanger
Film · 1959
Upstairs and Downstairs
Film · 1959
Happy Is the Bride
Film · 1958
Next to No Time
Film · 1958
Law and Disorder
Film · 1958
The Key
Film · 1958
Educating Archie
Series · 1958
Small Hotel
Film · 1957
Brothers in Law
Film · 1957
The Silken Affair
Film · 1956
It's Never Too Late
Film · 1956
Who Done It?
Film · 1956
Hancock's Half Hour
Series · 1956
Armchair Theatre
Series · 1956
A Kid for Two Farthings
Film · 1955
The Adventures of Robin Hood
Series · 1955
Strange Experiences
Series · 1955
The Belles of St Trinian's
Film · 1954
Mad About Men
Film · 1954
Burnt Evidence
Film · 1954
The Weak and the Wicked
Film · 1954
The Wedding of Lilli Marlene
Film · 1953
Meet Mr. Lucifer
Film · 1953
Top Secret
Film · 1952
Treasure Hunt
Film · 1952
One Wild Oat
Film · 1951
Young Wives' Tale
Film · 1951
Stage Fright
Film · 1950
The Perfect Woman
Film · 1949
Silent Dust
Film · 1949
Cardboard Cavalier
Film · 1949
For Them That Trespass
Film · 1949
Dark Secret
Film · 1949
Adam and Evelyne
Film · 1949
Woman Hater
Film · 1948
The Shop at Sly Corner
Film · 1947
Temptation Harbour
Film · 1947
The Hills of Donegal
Film · 1947
I'll Turn to You
Film · 1946
For You Alone
Film · 1945
Kiss the Bride Goodbye
Film · 1945
Brief Encounter
Film · 1945
Great Day
Film · 1945
Mr. Emmanuel
Film · 1944
Give Us the Moon
Film · 1944
It's in the Bag
Film · 1944
Medal for the General
Film · 1944
English Without Tears
Film · 1944
The Flemish Farm
Film · 1943
Rhythm Serenade
Film · 1943
I'll Walk Beside You
Film · 1943
Millions Like Us
Film · 1943
Get Cracking
Film · 1943
Uncensored
Film · 1942
Partners in Crime
Film · 1942
The Spell of Amy Nugent
Film · 1941
Mr. Proudfoot Shows a Light
Film · 1941
Gasbags
Film · 1941
"Pimpernel" Smith
Film · 1941
George and Margaret
Film · 1940
Girl in the News
Film · 1940
Mrs Pym of Scotland Yard
Film · 1940
Night Train to Munich
Film · 1940
On the Night of the Fire
Film · 1939
Strange Boarders
Film · 1938
The Terror
Film · 1938