Irene Handl

Irene Handl

Known for: Acting
Biography: 1901-12-27
Deathday: 1987-11-29 (85 years old)

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

Madame de Bonneuil
Hotel du Lac

Hotel du Lac (1986)

Movie
Clinging Ivey
Super Gran

Super Gran (1985)

TV
Lady on crossing
Room to Let

Room to Let (1976)

Movie
Staff Sergeant Hodges
A French Mistress

A French Mistress (1960)

Movie
Professor MacRitchie
Doctor in Love

Doctor in Love (1960)

Movie
3.5
Mrs. Crowley, Greengrocer
Next to No Time

Next to No Time (1958)

Movie
Customer (uncredited)
Who Done It?

Who Done It? (1956)

Movie
Mrs. Mason (uncredited)
Stage Fright

Stage Fright (1950)

Movie
4
Mrs. Crouch, Manageress (uncredited)
Adam and Evelyne

Adam and Evelyne (1949)

Movie
The Cellist and Organist (uncredited)
Brief Encounter

Brief Encounter (1945)

Movie
5.83
Lady serving Tea in Tea Stall.
Great Day

Great Day (1945)

Movie
Frau Von Koerner
Uncensored

Uncensored (1942)

Movie
Burgomaster's wife
Gasbags

Gasbags (1941)

Movie
Stationmaster (uncredited)
Night Train to Munich

Night Train to Munich (1940)

Movie
Gertrude Mary Blaker
Girl in the News

Girl in the News (1940)

Movie
Irene HandlIrene Handl

Information

Known For
Acting

Gender
Female

Birthday
1901-12-27

Deathday
1987-11-29 (85 years old)

Birth Place
Maida Vale, United Kingdom

Citizenships
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, United Kingdom

This article uses material from Wikipedia.

Last updated:

John Le Mesurier
Irene Handl,
John Le Mesurier worked together with Irene Handl in:
17 Movies
Miles Malleson
Irene Handl,
Miles Malleson worked together with Irene Handl in:
14 Movies
1 TV Show
Liz Fraser
Irene Handl,
Liz Fraser worked together with Irene Handl in:
14 Movies
Leslie Phillips
Irene Handl,
Leslie Phillips worked together with Irene Handl in:
10 Movies
2 TV Shows
Ian Carmichael
Irene Handl,
Ian Carmichael worked together with Irene Handl in:
11 Movies
Sid James
Irene Handl,
Sid James worked together with Irene Handl in:
11 Movies
Joan Sims
Irene Handl,
Joan Sims worked together with Irene Handl in:
8 Movies
2 TV Shows
Raymond Huntley
Irene Handl,
Raymond Huntley worked together with Irene Handl in:
10 Movies
Marianne Stone
Irene Handl,
Marianne Stone worked together with Irene Handl in:
10 Movies
Joan Hickson
Irene Handl,
Joan Hickson worked together with Irene Handl in:
9 Movies
Sidney Gilliat
Irene Handl,
Sidney Gilliat worked together with Irene Handl in:
9 Movies
Thorley Walters
Irene Handl,
Thorley Walters worked together with Irene Handl in:
9 Movies
Terry-Thomas
Irene Handl,
Terry-Thomas worked together with Irene Handl in:
9 Movies
Reginald Beckwith
Irene Handl,
Reginald Beckwith worked together with Irene Handl in:
8 Movies
Nicholas Phipps
Irene Handl,
Nicholas Phipps worked together with Irene Handl in:
8 Movies
Cyril Chamberlain
Irene Handl,
Cyril Chamberlain worked together with Irene Handl in:
8 Movies
Harry Locke
Irene Handl,
Harry Locke worked together with Irene Handl in:
8 Movies
Edward Black
Irene Handl,
Edward Black worked together with Irene Handl in:
8 Movies
Geoffrey Faithfull
Irene Handl,
Geoffrey Faithfull worked together with Irene Handl in:
8 Movies
Robert Lennard
Irene Handl,
Robert Lennard worked together with Irene Handl in:
8 Movies
  • Irene Handl
    Irene Handl
  • Filmography
  • Information
  • Related Persons
Social Media
X
Facebook
Telegram
Download
iOS Application
Made in Ukraine 🇺🇦
Copyright © MovieFit 2018 – 2024
All external content remains the property of its respective owner.