
Irene Handl
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.
Acting (106 movies)

The Italian Job
1969

The Pure Hell of St. Trinian's
1960

Carry On Constable
1960

I'm All Right Jack
1959

Carlton-Browne of the F.O.
1959

School for Scoundrels
1960

Morgan: A Suitable Case for Treatment
1966

On a Clear Day You Can See Forever
1970

The Great Rock 'n' Roll Swindle
1980

Wonderwall
1968

Stage Fright
1950

The Mini-Affair
1967

No Kidding
1960

Uncensored
1942

It's Your Move
1982

Come Play with Me
1977

Stand up, Virgin Soldiers
1977

The Perfect Woman
1949

A Weekend with Lulu
1961

Top Secret
1952

Silent Dust
1949

For You Alone
1945

The Night We Got the Bird
1960

Mr. Emmanuel
1944

Watch It, Sailor!
1961

Give Us the Moon
1944

Cardboard Cavalier
1949

Heavens Above!
1963

The Shop at Sly Corner
1947

For the Love of Ada
1972

Adventures of a Private Eye
1977

Happy Is the Bride
1958

You Must Be Joking
1965

A Kid for Two Farthings
1955

Two-Way Stretch
1960

Left Right and Centre
1959

Temptation Harbour
1947

Kiss the Bride Goodbye
1945

On the Night of the Fire
1939

George and Margaret
1940

Strange Boarders
1938

The Flemish Farm
1943

Make Mine Mink
1960

Desert Mice
1959

For Them That Trespass
1949

Double Bunk
1961

Nothing Barred
1961

Inn for Trouble
1960

Girl in the News
1940

Small Hotel
1957

Next to No Time
1958

Law and Disorder
1958

Mrs Pym of Scotland Yard
1940

Doctor in Love
1960

Rhythm Serenade
1943

Brief Encounter
1945

The Rebel
1961

Carry On Nurse
1959

Lionheart
1968

The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes
1970

The Wrong Box
1966

The Spell of Amy Nugent
1941

Absolute Beginners
1986

Gasbags
1941

'Pimpernel' Smith
1941

Medal for the General
1944

I'll Walk Beside You
1943

Smashing Time
1967

Doctor in Trouble
1970

The Key
1958

Millions Like Us
1943

Hotel du Lac
1986

Treasure Hunt
1952

The Hound of the Baskervilles
1978

The Belles of St. Trinian's
1954

The Light Princess
1978

Riding High
1981

Mad About Men
1954

Partners in Crime
1942

Get Cracking
1943

Burnt Evidence
1954

The Weak and the Wicked
1954

Brothers in Law
1957

The Silken Affair
1956

It's Never Too Late
1956

The Terror
1938

The Night We Dropped a Clanger
1959

The Wedding of Lilli Marlene
1953

The Hills of Donegal
1947

Night Train to Munich
1940

Great Day
1945

Just for Fun
1963

English Without Tears
1944

Woman Hater
1948

The Last Remake of Beau Geste
1977

Confessions of a Driving Instructor
1976

Dark Secret
1949

Adam and Evelyne
1949

Upstairs and Downstairs
1959

Who Done It?
1956
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