fbpx
Wikipedia

Irene Handl

January 01, 1970

Irene Handl (27 December 1901 – 29 November 1987) was a British author and character actress who appeared in more than 100 British films.[1]

Irene Handl
Irene Handl in the 1966 BBC TV comedy Mum's Boys
Born(1901-12-27)27 December 1901
Maida Vale, London, England
Died29 November 1987(1987-11-29) (aged 85)
Kensington, London, England
Resting placeGolders Green Crematorium, London, England
OccupationActress
Years active1937–1987

Life edit

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.[2]

From 1907 to 1915, Handl attended the Paddington and Maida Vale High School.[3] 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.[4]

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. Among her many later appearances on stage, she played Lady Bracknell in The Importance of Being Earnest in 1975, in a production directed by Jonathan Miller.

In 1939, and by now an actress, she was living with her widower father in London.[5] She continued to live with her father until his death in 1961.[6] It was common at this time for younger daughters not to marry in order to stay with and take care of their widower fathers. Her older 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.[7] 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.[7]

Career edit

Films edit

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.

Theatre edit

Television edit

 
Comic Heritage plaque, Teddington

On television, she appeared as a guest in a number of comedy series, notably as a regular in Educating Archie and as the Cockney widow Ada Cresswell in For the Love of Ada, which was later adapted for the cinema. In 1969 she starred in the series World in Ferment as Madame Astoria.[8] She also appeared in Maggie and Her (1978) opposite Julia McKenzie. In the early 1980s, she played Gran in the ITV children's comedy show Metal Mickey. She appeared in a rare aristocratic role as the Duchess of Sheffield in Mapp and Lucia and as another aristocratic character in Eric Sykes's television film It's Your Move (1982), in which her chauffeur was played by Brian Murphy. She also appeared as Madame de Bonneuil in the BBC's TV film Hotel du Lac in 1986. She appeared in Super Gran as the magician The Great Ronaldo and as Tim Wylton's mother in Clinging Ivy (1985). Her last appearance was in the BBC sitcom In Sickness and in Health in 1987, just before her death at the age of 85.

Novels edit

In addition to acting, she wrote two novels: The Sioux (1965), described by Margaret Drabble as "strange and unforgettable ... Highly original and oddly haunting";[9] and its sequel, The Gold Tip Pfitzer, (a type of Juniper, associated with mourning), (1966). The Sioux was reprinted as Green and Purple Dream (1973).[10] She began writing what became The Sioux when she was living in Paris at the age of 19, put it aside, and did not start to write again until 1961.[7]

Death edit

Handl died in her flat in Kensington, West London, on 29 November 1987, aged 85,[11] reportedly from cancer. She never married.[12] She was cremated at Golders Green Crematorium, North London.

Selected filmography edit

Bibliography edit

  • Thomas, Jane. "Irene Handl", Bete Noir, 4 (Winter, 1987), pp. 102–103.
  • Thomas, Jane. "Irene Handl: The Last Interview", Bete Noir, 4 (Winter, 1987), pp. 104–116.

References edit

  1. ^ . BFI. Archived from the original on 11 July 2012.
  2. ^ 1911 census record for Irene Handl, Ancestry.com. Accessed 1 October 2022. (subscription required)
  3. ^ Irene Handl in the London, England, School Admissions and Discharges, 1840-1911: Ancestry.com (subscription required)
  4. ^ UK and Ireland, Incoming Passenger Lists, 1878-1960 for Irene Handl, Southampton, England, 1924: Ancestry.com (subscription required)
  5. ^ 1939 England and Wales Register for Irene Handl, London, St Marylebone: Ancestry.com (subscription required)
  6. ^ London, England, Electoral Registers, 1832-1965 for Irene Handl, City of London, London And Westminster: Ancestry.com (subscription required)
  7. ^ a b c "The hidden world of Irene Handl - Comedy Chronicles". British Comedy Guide. 22 January 2020. Retrieved 27 April 2020.
  8. ^ Marjorie Bilbow (3 July 1969). "TELEVISION TODAY; Reviews: In a rare class of comedy show". The Stage and Television Today (4603): 12.
  9. ^ Irene Handl. "The Sioux". Goodreads.
  10. ^ The green and purple dream (formerly The Sioux)
  11. ^ "Irene Handl Dies at 85; Comedienne in Britain". The New York Times. 29 November 1987. p. B13. Retrieved 23 December 2021.
  12. ^ "The inimitable Irene", artgalleryclothing.co.uk. Accessed 1 October 2022.

External links edit

  • Irene Handl at IMDb
  • Performance information in Theatre Archive, University of Bristol
  • Biography at Leninimports.com

January 01, 1970
irene, handl, december, 1901, november, 1987, british, author, character, actress, appeared, more, than, british, films, 1966, comedy, boysborn, 1901, december, 1901maida, vale, london, englanddied29, november, 1987, 1987, aged, kensington, london, englandrest. Irene Handl 27 December 1901 29 November 1987 was a British author and character actress who appeared in more than 100 British films 1 Irene HandlIrene Handl in the 1966 BBC TV comedy Mum s BoysBorn 1901 12 27 27 December 1901Maida Vale London EnglandDied29 November 1987 1987 11 29 aged 85 Kensington London EnglandResting placeGolders Green Crematorium London EnglandOccupationActressYears active1937 1987 Contents 1 Life 2 Career 2 1 Films 2 2 Theatre 2 3 Television 3 Novels 4 Death 5 Selected filmography 6 Bibliography 7 References 8 External linksLife editIrene 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 nee 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 2 From 1907 to 1915 Handl attended the Paddington and Maida Vale High School 3 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 4 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 Among her many later appearances on stage she played Lady Bracknell in The Importance of Being Earnest in 1975 in a production directed by Jonathan Miller In 1939 and by now an actress she was living with her widower father in London 5 She continued to live with her father until his death in 1961 6 It was common at this time for younger daughters not to marry in order to stay with and take care of their widower fathers Her older 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 7 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 7 Career editFilms edit 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 Theatre edit Goodnight Mrs Puffin Move Over Mrs Markham Cry Liberty The Importance of Being Earnest Television edit nbsp Comic Heritage plaque Teddington On television she appeared as a guest in a number of comedy series notably as a regular in Educating Archie and as the Cockney widow Ada Cresswell in For the Love of Ada which was later adapted for the cinema In 1969 she starred in the series World in Ferment as Madame Astoria 8 She also appeared in Maggie and Her 1978 opposite Julia McKenzie In the early 1980s she played Gran in the ITV children s comedy show Metal Mickey She appeared in a rare aristocratic role as the Duchess of Sheffield in Mapp and Lucia and as another aristocratic character in Eric Sykes s television film It s Your Move 1982 in which her chauffeur was played by Brian Murphy She also appeared as Madame de Bonneuil in the BBC s TV film Hotel du Lac in 1986 She appeared in Super Gran as the magician The Great Ronaldo and as Tim Wylton s mother in Clinging Ivy 1985 Her last appearance was in the BBC sitcom In Sickness and in Health in 1987 just before her death at the age of 85 Novels editIn addition to acting she wrote two novels The Sioux 1965 described by Margaret Drabble as strange and unforgettable Highly original and oddly haunting 9 and its sequel The Gold Tip Pfitzer a type of Juniper associated with mourning 1966 The Sioux was reprinted as Green and Purple Dream 1973 10 She began writing what became The Sioux when she was living in Paris at the age of 19 put it aside and did not start to write again until 1961 7 Death editHandl died in her flat in Kensington West London on 29 November 1987 aged 85 11 reportedly from cancer She never married 12 She was cremated at Golders Green Crematorium North London Selected filmography editMissing Believed Married 1937 as Chambermaid Strange Boarders 1938 as Mrs Dewar The Terror 1938 as Kitchen Maid uncredited Inspector Hornleigh on Holiday 1939 as Boarder uncredited On the Night of the Fire 1939 as Kitchen Maid uncredited Mrs Pym of Scotland Yard 1940 as the Medium Dr O Dowd 1940 as Sarah The Girl in the News 1940 as Gertrude Mary Blaker Night Train to Munich 1940 as Station Master uncredited George and Margaret 1940 as Beer Mr Proudfoot Shows a Light 1941 as Councillor Gasbags 1941 as Burgomaster s wife Spellbound 1941 as Mrs Nugent Pimpernel Smith 1941 in an uncredited bit part Uncensored 1942 as Frau von Koerner Get Cracking 1943 as Maggie Turner uncredited I ll Walk Beside You 1943 as Ma Perkins The Flemish Farm 1943 as Frau Dear Octopus 1943 as Flora Millions Like Us 1943 as Landlady uncredited Rhythm Serenade 1943 as Mrs Crumbling It s in the Bag 1944 as Mrs Beam Welcome Mr Washington 1944 as Mrs Pidgeon uncredited English Without Tears 1944 uncredited Give Us the Moon 1944 as Miss Haddock Mr Emmanuel 1944 as Trude Medal for the General 1944 as Mrs Farnsworth One Exciting Night 1944 Kiss the Bride Goodbye 1945 as Mrs Victory For You Alone 1945 as Miss Trotter Great Day 1945 as Lady serving tea at a tea stall Brief Encounter 1945 as cellist and organist uncredited I ll Turn to You 1946 as Mrs Gammon Temptation Harbour 1947 as Mrs Gowshall Code of Scotland Yard 1947 as Ruby Towser The Hills of Donegal 1947 as Mrs Mactavish Woman Hater 1948 as Mrs Fletcher The Fool and the Princess 1949 as Lady on left Silent Dust 1949 as Cook The History of Mr Polly 1949 as Lady on left Cardboard Cavalier 1949 as Lady Agnes For Them That Trespass 1949 as Inn Proprietress The Perfect Woman 1949 as Mrs Butters Dark Secret 1949 as Woody Woodman Adam and Evelyne 1949 as Mrs Crouch Manageress uncredited Stage Fright 1950 as Mrs Mason Gill s Maid uncredited One Wild Oat 1951 as Emily Pepys Audrey Cuttle 2 Young Wives Tale 1951 as Nanny Treasure Hunt 1952 as Nanny Top Secret 1952 as Mrs Tidmarsh Meet Mr Lucifer 1953 as Lady with the Dog The Wedding of Lilli Marlene 1953 as Daisy Stryker of the Yard 1953 The Weak and the Wicked 1954 as Waitress Duel in the Jungle 1954 as Mary Taylor uncredited The Belles of St Trinian s 1954 as Miss Gale Mad About Men 1954 as Mme Blanche Burnt Evidence 1954 as Mrs Raymond A Kid for Two Farthings 1955 as Mrs Abramowitz Now and Forever 1956 as Middle Aged Woman uncredited Who Done It 1956 as Customer uncredited It s Never Too Late 1956 as New Neighbour The Silken Affair 1956 as Receptionist Brothers in Law 1957 as Mrs Potter Small Hotel 1957 as Mrs Gammon Happy Is the Bride 1957 as Mme Edna Law and Disorder 1958 as Woman The Key 1958 as Clerk Dial 999 TV series The Big Fish episode 1958 as Mrs Rigby uncredited Next to No Time 1958 as Mrs Crowley Greengrocer Carlton Browne of the F O 1959 as Mrs Carter Carry On Nurse 1959 as Mrs Madge Hickson The Crowning Touch 1959 as Bebe Left Right and Centre 1959 as Mrs Maggs I m All Right Jack 1959 as Mrs Kite The Night We Dropped a Clanger 1959 as Mrs Billingsgate Upstairs and Downstairs 1959 as Large Woman Desert Mice 1959 as Miss Patch Two Way Stretch 1960 as Mrs Price Inn for Trouble 1960 as Lily Carry On Constable 1960 as Distraught Mother School for Scoundrels 1960 as Mrs Stringer Doctor in Love 1960 as Professor MacRitchie Make Mine Mink 1960 as Mme Spolinski A French Mistress 1960 as Staff Sgt Hodges No Kidding 1960 as Mrs Spicer The Pure Hell of St Trinian s 1960 as Miss Harker Parker The Night We Got the Bird 1961 as Ma The Rebel 1961 as Mrs Cravatte A Weekend with Lulu 1961 as Florence Bell Double Bunk 1961 as Mrs Harper Watch It Sailor 1961 as Edie Hornett Nothing Barred 1961 as Elsie Just for Fun 1963 as Housewife Heavens Above 1963 as Rene Smith You Must Be Joking 1965 as Elderly Woman Morgan a Suitable Case for Treatment 1966 as Mrs Delt The Wrong Box 1966 as Mrs Hackett Smashing Time 1967 as Mrs Gimble The Mini Affair 1967 as Cook in Chinese Restaurant Wonderwall 1968 as Mrs Peurofoy The Italian Job 1969 as Miss Peach Doctor in Trouble 1970 as Mrs Dailey On a Clear Day You Can See Forever 1970 as Winnie Wainwhisle Rookery Nook 1970 TV as Mrs Leverett The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes 1970 as Mrs Hudson For the Love of Ada 1972 as Ada Bingley Confessions of a Driving Instructor 1976 as Miss Slenderparts Adventures of a Private Eye 1977 as Miss Friggin Stand Up Virgin Soldiers 1977 as Mrs Phillimore Come Play with Me 1977 as Lady Bovington The Last Remake of Beau Geste 1977 as Miss Wormwood The Hound of the Baskervilles 1978 as Mrs Barrymore The Great Rock amp Roll Swindle 1979 as Cinema Usherette Metal Mickey 1980 as Granny Riding High 1981 as Gran In Sickness and in Health 1985 as Gwenneth Series 2 3 Absolute Beginners 1986 as Mrs LarkinBibliography editThomas Jane Irene Handl Bete Noir 4 Winter 1987 pp 102 103 Thomas Jane Irene Handl The Last Interview Bete Noir 4 Winter 1987 pp 104 116 References edit Irene Handl BFI Archived from the original on 11 July 2012 1911 census record for Irene Handl Ancestry com Accessed 1 October 2022 subscription required Irene Handl in the London England School Admissions and Discharges 1840 1911 Ancestry com subscription required UK and Ireland Incoming Passenger Lists 1878 1960 for Irene Handl Southampton England 1924 Ancestry com subscription required 1939 England and Wales Register for Irene Handl London St Marylebone Ancestry com subscription required London England Electoral Registers 1832 1965 for Irene Handl City of London London And Westminster Ancestry com subscription required a b c The hidden world of Irene Handl Comedy Chronicles British Comedy Guide 22 January 2020 Retrieved 27 April 2020 Marjorie Bilbow 3 July 1969 TELEVISION TODAY Reviews In a rare class of comedy show The Stage and Television Today 4603 12 Irene Handl The Sioux Goodreads The green and purple dream formerly The Sioux Irene Handl Dies at 85 Comedienne in Britain The New York Times 29 November 1987 p B13 Retrieved 23 December 2021 The inimitable Irene artgalleryclothing co uk Accessed 1 October 2022 External links editIrene Handl at IMDb Performance information in Theatre Archive University of Bristol Biography with photo at Britmovie Biography at Leninimports com Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Irene Handl amp oldid 1220921172, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

article

, read, download, free, free download, mp3, video, mp4, 3gp, jpg, jpeg, gif, png, picture, music, song, movie, book, game, games.