
Irene Handl
Born December 27, 1901 · Maida Vale, London, England, UK
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.
Notable Appearances
Movies
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Night Train to Munich

Come Play with Me

Absolute Beginners

The Hound of the Baskervilles

Carlton-Browne of the F.O.

Adventures of a Private Eye

The Belles of St Trinian's

Confessions of a Driving Instructor

Girl in the News

You Must Be Joking

The Great Rock 'n' Roll Swindle

Morgan: A Suitable Case for Treatment

The Best of the Adventures

Happy Is the Bride

The Weak and the Wicked

The Key

Woman Hater

On the Night of the Fire

Young Wives' Tale

Next to No Time

The Night We Dropped a Clanger

The Rebel

For Them That Trespass

Kiss the Bride Goodbye

It's Your Move

"Pimpernel" Smith

Two-Way Stretch

Give Us the Moon

The Shop at Sly Corner

Adam and Evelyne

Heavens Above!

Make Mine Mink

School for Scoundrels

A Weekend with Lulu

Doctor in Trouble

Wonderwall

Stand up, Virgin Soldiers

Carry On Constable

Medal for the General

Doctor in Love

English Without Tears

Mad About Men

A French Mistress

Left Right and Centre

Brothers in Law

Top Secret

Who Done It?

Watch It, Sailor!

Smashing Time

The Night We Got the Bird

Desert Mice

Law and Disorder

Meet Mr. Lucifer

Upstairs and Downstairs

The Silken Affair

No Kidding

For the Love of Ada

The Perfect Woman

It's Never Too Late

Inn for Trouble

The Light Princess

Just for Fun

The Hills of Donegal

Great Day

One Wild Oat

Millions Like Us

The Wedding of Lilli Marlene

Mrs Pym of Scotland Yard

Temptation Harbour

I'll Walk Beside You

Mr. Emmanuel

Nothing Barred

Riding High

Uncensored

Hotel du Lac

Double Bunk

Small Hotel

The Mini-Affair

Treasure Hunt

Silent Dust

The Spell of Amy Nugent

Cardboard Cavalier

Burnt Evidence

Get Cracking

Lionheart

Strange Boarders

The Flemish Farm

Look at Life: Saturday Special

Gasbags

Dark Secret

For You Alone

Rhythm Serenade


























