Biography
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
all 130
Movies 116
TV Shows 14
self 4

Absolute Beginners (1986)

Hotel du Lac (1986)

Super Gran (1985)

It's Your Move (1982)

Legacy of Murder (1982)

The Great Rock 'n' Roll Swindle (1980)

Metal Mickey (1980)

Bio Woman (1980)

The Cannon & Ball Show (1979)

The Hound of the Baskervilles (1978)

The Last Remake of Beau Geste (1977)

Come Play with Me (1977)

Stand up, Virgin Soldiers (1977)

Adventures of a Private Eye (1977)

Confessions of a Driving Instructor (1976)

Maggie and Her (1976)

Room to Let (1976)

For the Love of Ada (1972)

On a Clear Day You Can See Forever (1970)

Doctor in Trouble (1970)

World in Ferment (1969)

The Italian Job (1969)

Wonderwall (1968)

Smashing Time (1967)

The Wrong Box (1966)

You Must Be Joking (1965)

Heavens Above! (1963)

Just for Fun (1963)

Watch It, Sailor! (1961)

Double Bunk (1961)

A Weekend with Lulu (1961)

The Rebel (1961)

The Pure Hell of St. Trinian's (1960)

Two Way Stretch (1960)

No Kidding (1960)

A French Mistress (1960)

Make Mine Mink (1960)

Doctor in Love (1960)

School for Scoundrels (1960)

Carry On Constable (1960)

Upstairs and Downstairs (1959)

The Night We Dropped a Clanger (1959)

I'm All Right Jack (1959)

Left Right and Centre (1959)

Carlton-Browne of the F.O. (1959)

Carry On Nurse (1959)

Desert Mice (1959)

Next to No Time (1958)

Law and Disorder (1958)

The Key (1958)

Happy Is the Bride (1958)

Small Hotel (1957)

Brothers in Law (1957)

The Silken Affair (1956)

It's Never Too Late (1956)

Who Done It? (1956)

A Kid for Two Farthings (1955)

Mad About Men (1954)

Burnt Evidence (1954)

Meet Mr. Lucifer (1953)

Top Secret (1952)

One Wild Oat (1951)

Stage Fright (1950)

Dark Secret (1949)

Adam and Evelyne (1949)

The Perfect Woman (1949)

For Them That Trespass (1949)

Cardboard Cavalier (1949)

Woman Hater (1948)

The Fool and the Princess (1948)

The Hills of Donegal (1947)

The Shop at Sly Corner (1947)

Temptation Harbour (1947)

I'll Turn to You (1946)

Brief Encounter (1945)

Great Day (1945)

For You Alone (1945)

Kiss the Bride Goodbye (1945)

Medal for the General (1944)

Give Us the Moon (1944)

English Without Tears (1944)

It's in the Bag (1944)

I'll Walk Beside You (1943)

Millions Like Us (1943)

Get Cracking (1943)

Uncensored (1942)

Partners in Crime (1942)

Mr. Proudfoot Shows a Light (1941)

'Pimpernel' Smith (1941)

The Spell of Amy Nugent (1941)

Gasbags (1941)

Night Train to Munich (1940)

Girl in the News (1940)

Mrs Pym of Scotland Yard (1940)

On the Night of the Fire (1939)

The Terror (1938)

Strange Boarders (1938)

Missing, Believed Married (1937)
Gallery


Information
Known ForActing
GenderFemale
Birthday1901-12-27
Deathday1987-11-29 (85 years old)
Birth PlaceMaida Vale, United Kingdom
CitizenshipsUnited Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, United Kingdom
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