Irene Handl (27 December 1901 – 29 November 1987) was a British author and

character actress A character actor is a supporting actor who plays unusual, interesting, or eccentric characters.28 April 2013, The New York Acting SchoolTen Best Character Actors of All Time Retrieved 7 August 2014, "..a breed of actor who has the ability to be ...

who appeared in more than 100 British films.

Life

Irene Handl was born in

Maida Vale Maida Vale ( ) is an affluent residential district consisting of the northern part of Paddington in West London, west of St John's Wood and south of Kilburn. It is also the name of its main road, on the continuous Edgware Road. Maida Vale ...

, London, the younger of two daughters of an Austria-born father -- who came to England via Switzerland and started as a bank clerk working his way up into the stock exchange as a stockbroker, then became a private banker -- Friedrich (later Frederick) Handl (1874–1961), who became a naturalised British subject. Her German mother, Marie ( Schiepp or Schuepp; 1875–before 1924), was also a naturalised British subject. Theirs was a comfortable middle-class life, with a German cook and housekeeper living in the family home. From 1907 to 1915, Irene 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. Among her many later appearances on stage, she played Lady Bracknell in ''

The Importance of Being Earnest ''The Importance of Being Earnest, A Trivial Comedy for Serious People'' is a play by Oscar Wilde. First performed on 14 February 1895 at the St James's Theatre in London, it is a farcical comedy in which the protagonists maintain fictitious ...

'' in 1975, in a production directed by

Jonathan Miller Sir Jonathan Wolfe Miller CBE (21 July 1934 – 27 November 2019) was an English theatre and opera director, actor, author, television presenter, humourist and physician. After training in medicine and specialising in neurology in the late 1 ...

. 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. 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. She 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 Rock and roll (often written as rock & roll, rock 'n' roll, or rock 'n roll) is a genre of popular music that evolved in the United States during the late 1940s and early 1950s. It originated from African-American music such as jazz, rhythm ...

, especially the work of

Elvis Presley Elvis Aaron Presley (January 8, 1935 – August 16, 1977), or simply Elvis, was an American singer and actor. Dubbed the " King of Rock and Roll", he is regarded as one of the most significant cultural figures of the 20th century. His ener ...

, and was president of the

Lewisham Lewisham () is an area of southeast London, England, south of Charing Cross. It is the principal area of the London Borough of Lewisham, and was within the historic county of Kent until 1889. It is identified in the London Plan as one ...

branch of the Elvis Presley fan club. She was also a fellow of the

Royal Geographical Society The Royal Geographical Society (with the Institute of British Geographers), often shortened to RGS, is a learned society and professional body for geography based in the United Kingdom. Founded in 1830 for the advancement of geographical scien ...

, and one of Britain's most avid champions of

Chihuahuas The Chihuahua or es, Chihuahueño, italic=no is a Mexican breed of toy dog. It is named for the Mexican state of Chihuahua and is among the smallest of all dog breeds. It is usually kept as a companion animal or for showing. History DN ...

, being inseparable from the pair that she owned.

Career

Films

Handl had minor roles in such landmark films as ''

Night Train to Munich ''Night Train to Munich'' is a 1940 British-American thriller film directed by Carol Reed and starring Margaret Lockwood and Rex Harrison. Written by Sidney Gilliat and Frank Launder, based on the 1939 short story ''Report on a Fugitive'' by Go ...

'' and ''

Brief Encounter ''Brief Encounter'' is a 1945 British romantic drama film directed by David Lean from a screenplay by Noël Coward, based on his 1936 one-act play ''Still Life''. Starring Celia Johnson, Trevor Howard, Stanley Holloway, and Joyce Carey, ...

''. Her other notable roles included the wife of the union activist Fred Kite (played by

Peter Sellers Peter Sellers (born Richard Henry Sellers; 8 September 1925 – 24 July 1980) was an English actor and comedian. He first came to prominence performing in the BBC Radio comedy series ''The Goon Show'', featured on a number of hit comic songs ...

) in ''

I'm All Right Jack ''I'm All Right Jack'' is a 1959 British comedy film directed and produced by John and Roy Boulting from a script by Frank Harvey, John Boulting and Alan Hackney based on the 1958 novel ''Private Life'' by Alan Hackney. The film is a sequel t ...

'' (1959); Mrs Gammon, the formidable cook, opposite

Gordon Harker William Gordon Harker (7 August 1885 – 2 March 1967) was an English stage and film actor. Harker was one of the sons of Sarah Elizabeth Harker, née Hall, (1856–1927), and Joseph Harker (1855–1927), a much admired set painter for the ...

in ''

Small Hotel ''Small Hotel'' is a 1957 British comedy film directed by David MacDonald and stars Gordon Harker, Marie Lohr, John Loder, and Janet Munro. It is based on the play of the same name by Rex Frost. Premise Albert, a crafty old waiter in a count ...

'' (1957);

Tony Hancock Anthony John Hancock (12 May 1924 – 25 June 1968) was an English comedian and actor. High-profile during the 1950s and early 1960s, he had a major success with his BBC series ''Hancock's Half Hour'', first broadcast on radio from 1954, ...

'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 ''Carry On Nurse'' is a 1959 British comedy film, the second in the series of 31 ''Carry On'' films (1958–1992). Of the regular team, it featured Joan Sims (in her ''Carry On'' film debut), Kenneth Williams, Kenneth Connor and Charles Hawtr ...

'' and '' Carry On Constable''), and played Miss Peach in the original version of ''

The Italian Job ''The Italian Job'' is a 1969 British comedy caper film, written by Troy Kennedy Martin, produced by Michael Deeley, directed by Peter Collinson, and starring Michael Caine. The film's plot centres around Cockney criminal Charlie Croker, r ...

''. She worked until 1987, the year of her death. Her last role was released posthumously the following year.

Theatre

*''Goodnight Mrs Puffin'' *''Move Over Mrs Markham'' * '' Cry Liberty'' *''

Television

Teddington Riverside, Irene Handl, Comic Heritage plaque

On television, she appeared as a guest in a number of comedy series, notably as a regular in ''

Educating Archie ''Educating Archie'' was a BBC Light Programme comedy show which was broadcast for nearly ten years between June 1950 and February 1960, mostly at lunchtime on Sundays. The programme featured ventriloquist Peter Brough and his doll Archie Andr ...

'' and as the Cockney widow Ada Cresswell in ''

For the Love of Ada ''For the Love of Ada'' is an ITV sitcom that ran between 1970 and 1971. Although not seen on British TV for over 30 years, the complete series began airing again in late 2018 on Talking Pictures TV, albeit edited with certain offensive words ...

'', which was later adapted for the cinema. In 1969 she starred in the series ''

World in Ferment In its most general sense, the term "world" refers to the totality of entities, to the whole of reality or to everything that is. The nature of the world has been conceptualized differently in different fields. Some conceptions see the worl ...

'' as Madame Astoria. She also appeared in ''

Maggie and Her ''Maggie and Her'' is a British sitcom starring Julia McKenzie and Irene Handl that ran from 1978-79 (though an earlier pilot episode was made and shown in 1976). Made by London Weekend Television for ITV, the series is about a divorced scho ...

'' (1978) opposite Julia McKenzie. In the early 1980s, she played Gran in the ITV children's comedy show ''

Metal Mickey Metal Mickey is a fictional five-foot-tall robot, as well as the name of a spin-off television show starring the same character. The robot character was created, controlled and voiced by Johnny Edward. The character of Metal Mickey first appe ...

''. She appeared in a rare aristocratic role as the Duchess of Sheffield in ''

Mapp and Lucia ''Mapp and Lucia'' is a 1931 comic novel written by E. F. Benson. It is the fourth of six novels in the popular Mapp and Lucia series, about idle women in the 1920s and their struggle for social dominance over their small communities. It bring ...

'' and as another aristocratic character in

Eric Sykes Eric Sykes (4 May 1923 – 4 July 2012) was an English radio, stage, television and film writer, comedian, actor, and director whose performing career spanned more than 50 years. He frequently wrote for and performed with many other leading com ...

's television film ''

It's Your Move ''It's Your Move'' is an American sitcom television series created by Ron Leavitt and Michael G. Moye, starring Jason Bateman, Tricia Cast, Caren Kaye, Ernie Sabella, David Garrison, and Garrett Morris. The show originally aired on NBC from Sep ...

'' (1982), in which her chauffeur was played by

Brian Murphy Brian Murphy may refer to: Sportspeople * Brian Murphy (Jamaican cricketer) (born 1973), Jamaican cricketer * Brian Murphy (Zimbabwean cricketer) (born 1976), Zimbabwean cricketer * Brian Murphy (baseball) (born 1980), American head baseball coach ...

. She also appeared as Madame de Bonneuil in the BBC's TV film ''

Hotel du Lac ''Hotel du Lac'' is a 1984 Booker Prize-winning novel by English writer Anita Brookner. It centres on Edith Hope, a romance novelist who is staying in a hotel on the shores of Lake Geneva. There she meets other English visitors, including Mr ...

'' in 1986. She appeared in '' Super Gran'' as the magician The Great Ronaldo and as

Tim Wylton Tim Wylton (born Timothy Higginson; 27 February 1940) is a British actor best known for his television roles as Stanley Dawkins in '' My Hero'', and Lol Ferris in '' As Time Goes By''. Career As a stage actor he appeared in Zeffirelli's noted 19 ...

's mother in ''Clinging Ivy'' (1985). Her last appearance was in the BBC sitcom ''

In Sickness and in Health ''In Sickness and in Health'' is a BBC television sitcom that ran between 1 September 1985 and 3 April 1992. It is a sequel to the successful ''Till Death Us Do Part'', which ran between 1966 and 1975, and '' Till Death...'', which ran for one ...

'' in 1987, just before her death at the age of 85.

Novels

In addition to acting, she wrote two novels: ''The Sioux'' (1965), described by

Margaret Drabble Dame Margaret Drabble, Lady Holroyd, (born 5 June 1939) is an English biographer, novelist and short story writer. Drabble's books include '' The Millstone'' (1965), which won the following year's John Llewellyn Rhys Memorial Prize, and '' Je ...

as "strange and unforgettable ... Highly original and oddly haunting"; and its sequel, ''The Gold Tip Pfitzer'', (a type of

Juniper Junipers are coniferous trees and shrubs in the genus ''Juniperus'' () of the cypress family Cupressaceae. Depending on the taxonomy, between 50 and 67 species of junipers are widely distributed throughout the Northern Hemisphere, from the Arc ...

, associated with mourning), (1966). ''The Sioux'' was reprinted as ''Green and Purple Dream'' (1973). 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.

Death

Handl died in her flat in

Kensington Kensington is a district in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea in the West of Central London. The district's commercial heart is Kensington High Street, running on an east–west axis. The north-east is taken up by Kensington Garden ...

, West London, on 29 November 1987, aged 85, reportedly from cancer. She never married."The inimitable Irene"
artgalleryclothing.co.uk. Accessed 1 October 2022. She was cremated at

Golders Green Crematorium Golders Green Crematorium and Mausoleum was the first crematorium to be opened in London, and one of the oldest crematoria in Britain. The land for the crematorium was purchased in 1900, costing £6,000 (the equivalent of £135,987 in 2021), ...

, North London.

Selected filmography

*'' Missing, Believed Married'' (1937) as Chambermaid *'' Strange Boarders'' (1938) as Mrs Dewar *''

The Terror The Reign of Terror (french: link=no, la Terreur) was a period of the French Revolution when, following the creation of the First Republic, a series of massacres and numerous public executions took place in response to revolutionary fervour, ...

'' (1938) as Kitchen Maid (uncredited) *''

Inspector Hornleigh on Holiday ''Inspector Hornleigh on Holiday'' is a 1939 British detective film directed by Walter Forde and starring Gordon Harker, Alastair Sim and Linden Travers. It is the sequel to the 1938 film '' Inspector Hornleigh'', and both films are based ...

'' (1939) as Boarder (uncredited) *''

On the Night of the Fire ''On the Night of the Fire'', released in the United States as ''The Fugitive'', is a 1939 British thriller film, directed by Brian Desmond Hurst and starring Ralph Richardson and Diana Wynyard. The film is based on the novel of the same nam ...

'' (1939) as Kitchen Maid (uncredited) *'' Mrs. Pym of Scotland Yard'' (1940) as the Medium *''

Dr. O'Dowd ''Dr. O'Dowd'' is a 1940 British drama film directed by Herbert Mason, produced by Sam Sax for Warner Bros and starring Shaun Glenville, Peggy Cummins, Felix Aylmer and Irene Handl. Set in Ireland, it focuses on Marius O'Dowd, an Irish doctor, ...

'' (1940) as Sarah *''

The Girl in the News ''The Girl in the News'' is a 1940 British thriller film directed by Carol Reed and starring Margaret Lockwood, Barry K. Barnes and Emlyn Williams. It was based on the eponymous novel by Roy Vickers, released the same year. Plot After her ...

'' (1940) as Gertrude Mary Blaker *''

'' (1940) as Station Master (uncredited) *''

George and Margaret ''George and Margaret'' is a comedy play by British writer Gerald Savory, which was first staged in 1937. It had a very successful run in the West End, beginning at Wyndham's Theatre before transferring to the Piccadilly Theatre, lasting for ove ...

'' (1940) as Beer *''

Mr. Proudfoot Shows a Light ''Mr. Proudfoot Shows a Light'' is a 1941 British World War II public information/propaganda short film, directed by Herbert Mason and produced by Edward Black for 20th Century Fox. The film had a number of well-known actors of the period, feat ...

'' (1941) as Councillor *'' Gasbags'' (1941) as Burgomaster's wife *'' Spellbound'' (1941) as Mrs Nugent *''

"Pimpernel" Smith ''"Pimpernel" Smith'' (released in the USA as ''Mister V'') is a 1941 British anti-Nazi thriller, produced and directed by its star Leslie Howard, which updates his role in ''The Scarlet Pimpernel'' (1934) from Revolutionary France to pre-Seco ...

'' (1941) in an uncredited bit part *'' Uncensored'' (1942) as Frau von Koerner *''

Get Cracking ''Get Cracking'' is a 1943 British comedy war film, directed by Marcel Varnel starring George Formby, with Dinah Sheridan and Ronald Shiner. It was produced by Marcel Varnel and Ben Henry for Columbia (British) Productions, a subsidiary of th ...

'' (1943) as Maggie Turner (uncredited) *'' I'll Walk Beside You'' (1943) as Ma Perkins *'' The Flemish Farm'' (1943) as Frau *''

Dear Octopus ''Dear Octopus'' is a comedy by the playwright and novelist Dodie Smith. It opened at the Queen's Theatre, London on 14 September 1938. On the outbreak of the Second World War in September 1939 the run was halted after 373 performances; after a ...

'' (1943) as Flora *''

Millions Like Us ''Millions Like Us'' is a 1943 British propaganda film, showing life in a wartime aircraft factory in documentary detail. It starred Patricia Roc, Gordon Jackson, Anne Crawford, Eric Portman and Megs Jenkins. It was co-written and co-directed ...

'' (1943) as Landlady (uncredited) * ''

Rhythm Serenade ''Rhythm Serenade'' is a 1943 British musical film directed by Gordon Wellesley and starring Vera Lynn, Peter Murray-Hill and Julien Mitchell. It was shot at the Riverside Studios in Hammersmith. The film's sets were designed by the art directo ...

'' (1943) as Mrs Crumbling *'' It's in the Bag'' (1944) as Mrs Beam *'' Welcome, Mr. Washington'' (1944) as Mrs Pidgeon (uncredited) *''

English Without Tears ''English Without Tears'' is a 1944 British romantic comedy film directed by Harold French and starring Michael Wilding, Penelope Dudley-Ward and Lilli Palmer. It was released in the U.S. under the title ''Her Man Gilbey'', as a reference t ...

'' (1944) (uncredited) *''

Give Us the Moon ''Give Us the Moon'' is a 1944 British comedy film directed and written by Val Guest and starring Vic Oliver, Margaret Lockwood and Peter Graves. Plot Made in 1943-44, the film is set in a future peacetime Britain, after the end of World War ...

'' (1944) as Miss Haddock *''

Mr. Emmanuel ''Mr Emmanuel'' is a 1944 British drama film directed by Harold French and starring Felix Aylmer, Greta Gynt and Walter Rilla. The film was made by Two Cities at Teddington Studios. It is based on a 1938 novel of the same title by Louis Goldi ...

'' (1944) as Trude *'' Medal for the General'' (1944) as Mrs Farnsworth *'' One Exciting Night'' (1944) *''

Kiss the Bride Goodbye ''Kiss the Bride Goodbye'' is a 1945 British romantic comedy drama film directed by Paul L. Stein and starring Patricia Medina and Jimmy Hanley. Jean Simmons has an early role, almost two years before she achieved stardom in ''Great Expectations' ...

'' (1945) as Mrs Victory *''

For You Alone ''For You Alone'' is a 1945 British World War II romance melodrama, one of only two films directed by cinematographer Geoffrey Faithfull, starring Lesley Brook, Dinah Sheridan and Jimmy Hanley. The film was made by a smaller studio, Butcher's ...

'' (1945) as Miss Trotter *'' Great Day'' (1945) as Lady serving tea at a tea stall *''

'' (1945) as cellist and organist (uncredited) * ''

I'll Turn to You ''I'll Turn to You'' is a 1946 British drama film directed by Geoffrey Faithfull and starring Terry Randall, Don Stannard and Harry Welchman. It was one of a number of films dealing with the problems of returning servicemen.Spicer p.91 Whilst ...

'' (1946) as Mrs Gammon *'' Temptation Harbour'' (1947) as Mrs Gowshall *''

Code of Scotland Yard ''Code of Scotland Yard'' is a 1947 British crime film directed by George King and starring Oskar Homolka, Muriel Pavlow and Derek Farr. It was originally released as ''The Shop at Sly Corner'', being based on the popular stage play of that ...

'' (1947) as Ruby Towser *'' The Hills of Donegal'' (1947) as Mrs Mactavish *'' Woman Hater'' (1948) as Mrs Fletcher *''

The Fool and the Princess ''The Fool and the Princess'' is a 1948 British drama film directed by William C. Hammond and starring Bruce Lester, Lesley Brook and Adina Mandlová. It was made at the Merton Park Studios. Main cast * Bruce Lester - Harry Granville * Lesley B ...

'' (1949) as Lady on left *'' Silent Dust'' (1949) as Cook *'' The History of Mr Polly'' (1949) as Lady on left *''

Cardboard Cavalier ''Cardboard Cavalier'' is a 1948 British historical comedy film directed by Walter Forde and starring Sid Field, Margaret Lockwood and Jerry Desmonde. It was the last film for Forde and Field. Field died of a heart attack shortly after the f ...

'' (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 ''Adam and Evelyne'', released in the U.S. as ''Adam and Evalyn'', is a 1949 romance film starring Stewart Granger and Jean Simmons. According to Robert Osborne, host of Turner Classic Movies, this suited the stars, as they were romantically inv ...

'' (1949) as Mrs Crouch – Manageress (uncredited) *''

Stage Fright Stage fright or performance anxiety is the anxiety, fear, or persistent phobia which may be aroused in an individual by the requirement to perform in front of an audience, real or imagined, whether actually or potentially (for example, when perf ...

'' (1950) as Mrs Mason – Gill's Maid (uncredited) *''

One Wild Oat ''One Wild Oat'' is a 1951 British comedy film directed by Charles Saunders and starring Stanley Holloway, Robertson Hare and Sam Costa with a notable appearance by a pre-stardom Audrey Hepburn as an extra. Plot Barrister Humphrey Proudfoot ...

'' (1951) as Emily Pepys (Audrey Cuttle #2) *''

Young Wives' Tale ''Young Wives' Tale'', also known as ''Fun for Four'', is a 1951 British comedy film directed by Henry Cass and starring Joan Greenwood, Nigel Patrick, Derek Farr, and Guy Middleton. The film is based on the 1949 play '' Young Wives' Tale'' ...

'' (1951) as Nanny *'' Treasure Hunt'' (1952) as Nanny *''

Top Secret Classified information is material that a government body deems to be sensitive information that must be protected. Access is restricted by law or regulation to particular groups of people with the necessary security clearance and need to kn ...

'' (1952) as Mrs Tidmarsh *'' Meet Mr. Lucifer'' (1953) as Lady with the Dog *''

The Wedding of Lilli Marlene ''The Wedding of Lilli Marlene'' is a 1953 British drama film directed by Arthur Crabtree and starring Lisa Daniely, Hugh McDermott and Sid James. It was made at Southall Studios with sets designed by the art director Ray Simm. It was produced ...

'' (1953) as Daisy *''

Stryker of the Yard ''Stryker of the Yard'' (also known as ''Stryker of Scotland Yard'' and ''Scotland Yard Cases'' ) is a 1953 British crime film directed by Arthur Crabtree and starring Clifford Evans, Susan Stephen, Jack Watling and Eliot Makeham. A second ...

'' (1953) *''

The Weak and the Wicked ''The Weak and the Wicked'' (called ''Young and Willing'' in the United States) is a 1954 British drama film directed by J. Lee Thompson based on the autobiographical novel '' Who Lie in Gaol'' by his wife, Joan Henry, starring Glynis Johns an ...

'' (1954) as Waitress *'' Duel in the Jungle'' (1954) as Mary Taylor (uncredited) *''

The Belles of St. Trinian's ''The Belles of St Trinian's'' is a 1954 British comedy film, directed by Frank Launder, co-written by Launder and Sidney Gilliat, and starring Alastair Sim, Joyce Grenfell, George Cole, Hermione Baddeley. Inspired by British cartoonist R ...

'' (1954) as Miss Gale *''

Mad About Men ''Mad About Men'' is a 1954 British Technicolor comedy film directed by Ralph Thomas and starring Glynis Johns, Donald Sinden, Anne Crawford and Margaret Rutherford. It was written by Peter Blackmore, who also wrote the 1948 film '' Miranda'' w ...

'' (1954) as Mme Blanche *''

Burnt Evidence ''Burnt Evidence'' is a 1954 British thriller film directed by Daniel Birt and starring Jane Hylton, Duncan Lamont and Donald Gray. The film was produced by Ronald Kinnoch for ACT Films. It was made as a second feature. Shooting took place at ...

'' (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 ''The Silken Affair'' is a 1956 British romantic comedy film directed by Roy Kellino and starring David Niven, Geneviève Page, Wilfrid Hyde-White, Joan Sims, Irene Handl and Ronald Squire. The screenplay concerns an accountant who is creativ ...

'' (1956) as Receptionist *'' Brothers in Law'' (1957) as Mrs Potter *''

'' (1957) as Mrs Gammon *''

Happy Is the Bride ''Happy Is the Bride'' is a 1958 black and white British comedy film written and directed by Roy Boulting and starring Ian Carmichael, Janette Scott, Cecil Parker, Terry-Thomas and Joyce Grenfell. It is based on the play '' Quiet Wedding'' by ...

'' (1957) as Mme Edna *'' Law and Disorder (1958 film)'' (1958) as Woman *'' The Key'' (1958) as Clerk *''

Dial 999 (TV series) ''Dial 999'' is a British television series that ran for one series of 38 episodes from 1958 to 1959. The series was a co-production between ITV contractor ABC Weekend TV, and American television producer Ziv Television Programs. It stars Robe ...

'', ('The Big Fish', episode) - (1958) as Mrs. Rigby (uncredited) *''

Next to No Time ''Next to No Time'' is a 1958 British comedy, filmed in colour, starring Kenneth More, Betsy Drake, John Laurie, Sid James and Irene Handl. It was written and directed by Henry Cornelius and was based on Paul Gallico's short story "The Enchante ...

'' (1958) as Mrs Crowley, Greengrocer *''

Carlton-Browne of the F.O. ''Carlton-Browne of the F.O.'' (U.S. title: ''Man in a Cocked Hat'') is a 1959 British comedy film made by the Boulting Brothers and starring Terry-Thomas, Peter Sellers, and Luciana Paluzzi. It centres on an inept Foreign Office (F.O.) diplom ...

'' (1959) as Mrs Carter *''

'' (1959) as Mrs Madge Hickson *''

The Crowning Touch ''The Crowning Touch'' is a 1959 British comedy film directed by David Eady and starring Ted Ray, Irene Handl and Greta Gynt. Plot The "Crowning Touch" of the title is a fancy ladies hat. It has been ordered and specially set aside at a posh B ...

'' (1959) as Bebe *''

Left Right and Centre ''Left Right and Centre'' is a 1959 British satirical comedy film directed by Sidney Gilliat and starring Ian Carmichael, Patricia Bredin, Richard Wattis, Eric Barker and Alastair Sim. It was produced by Frank Launder. A political comedy, it fo ...

'' (1959) as Mrs Maggs *''

'' (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 ''Two-Way Stretch'', is a 1960 British comedy film, about a group of prisoners who plan to break out of jail, commit a robbery, and then break back into jail again, thus giving them the perfect alibi – that they were behind bars when the ro ...

'' (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 ''Doctor in Love'' is a 1960 British comedy film, the fourth of the seven films in the ''Doctor'' series, starring James Robertson Justice as Sir Lancelot Spratt and Michael Craig as Dr Richard Hare. This was the first film in the series not t ...

'' (1960) as Professor MacRitchie *''

Make Mine Mink ''Make Mine Mink'' is a 1960 British comedy farce film directed by Robert Asher and featuring Terry-Thomas, Athene Seyler, Hattie Jacques and Billie Whitelaw. The screenplay concerns a group of eccentric misfits who go on a spree, stealing mink ...

'' (1960) as Mme Spolinski *''

A French Mistress ''A French Mistress'' is a 1960 British comedy film directed by Roy Boulting and starring Cecil Parker, James Robertson Justice, Agnès Laurent, Ian Bannen, Raymond Huntley, Irene Handl and Thorley Walters. It is based on a stage play, '' The ...

'' (1960) as Staff Sgt Hodges *'' No Kidding'' (1960) as Mrs Spicer *''

The Pure Hell of St Trinian's ''The Pure Hell of St Trinian's'' is a 1960 British comedy film set in the fictional St Trinian's School. Directed by Frank Launder and written by him and Sidney Gilliat, it was the third in a series of four films. Plot The 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 ''A Weekend with Lulu'' is a 1961 British comedy film directed by John Paddy Carstairs and starring Bob Monkhouse, Leslie Phillips, Alfred Marks, Shirley Eaton and Irene Handl. Plot Young couple Timothy (Leslie Phillips) and Deirdre (Shirley Ea ...

'' (1961) as Florence Bell *'' Double Bunk'' (1961) as Mrs Harper *'' Watch It, Sailor!'' (1961) as Edie Hornett *''

Nothing Barred ''Nothing Barred'' is a 1961 British black and white comedy film directed by Darcy Conyers and starring Brian Rix, Leo Franklyn and Naunton Wayne. Plot Penniless Lord Whitebait (Naunton Wayne) plans to save his dwindling fortunes by opening ...

'' (1961) as Elsie *'' Just for Fun'' (1963) as Housewife *''

Heavens Above! ''Heavens Above!'' is a 1963 British satirical comedy film starring Peter Sellers, directed by John and Roy Boulting, who also co-wrote along with Frank Harvey, from an idea by Malcolm Muggeridge. It is in a similar vein to the earlier collabor ...

'' (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 ''Smashing Time'' is a 1967 British satirical comedy film starring Rita Tushingham and Lynn Redgrave. It is a satire on the 1960s media-influenced phenomenon of ''Swinging London''. It was written by George Melly and directed by Desmond Davis ...

'' (1967) as Mrs Gimble *''

The Mini-Affair ''The Mini-Affair'' is a 1967 British romantic comedy film directed by Robert Amram, and starring Georgie Fame, Rosemary Nicols and John Clive. Music is provided by the Bee Gees. Plot summary A leading pop star is kidnapped in swinging London. ...

'' (1967) as Cook in Chinese Restaurant *'' Wonderwall'' (1968) as Mrs Peurofoy *''

'' (1969) as Miss Peach *'' Doctor in Trouble'' (1970) as Mrs Dailey *''

On a Clear Day You Can See Forever ''On a Clear Day You Can See Forever'' is a musical with music by Burton Lane and a book and lyrics by Alan Jay Lerner based loosely on ''Berkeley Square'', written in 1926 by John L. Balderston. It concerns a woman who has ESP and has been re ...

'' (1970) as Winnie Wainwhisle *'' Rookery Nook'' (1970, TV) as Mrs Leverett *'' The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes'' (1970) as Mrs Hudson *''

'' (1972) as Ada Bingley *'' Confessions of a Driving Instructor'' (1976) as Miss Slenderparts *''

Adventures of a Private Eye ''Adventures of a Private Eye'' is a 1977 British sex comedy film directed by Stanley Long and starring Christopher Neil, Suzy Kendall, Harry H. Corbett and Liz Fraser. It followed the 1976 film ''Adventures of a Taxi Driver'' and was followed ...

'' (1977) as Miss Friggin *''

Stand Up, Virgin Soldiers ''Stand Up, Virgin Soldiers'' is a 1977 British film directed by Norman Cohen and starring Robin Askwith and Nigel Davenport. It is a sequel to ''The Virgin Soldiers'' (1969).Come Play with Me'' (1977) as Lady Bovington *'' The Last Remake of Beau Geste'' (1977) as Miss Wormwood *''

The Hound of the Baskervilles ''The Hound of the Baskervilles'' is the third of the four crime novels by British writer Arthur Conan Doyle featuring the detective Sherlock Holmes. Originally serialised in ''The Strand Magazine'' from August 1901 to April 1902, it is set ...

'' (1978) as Mrs Barrymore *'' The Great Rock & Roll Swindle'' (1979) as Cinema Usherette *'' Riding High'' (1981) as Gran *''

'' (1985) as Gwenneth (Series 2–3) *'' Absolute Beginners'' (1986) as Mrs Larkin

Bibliography

*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

External links

*
Performance information in Theatre Archive, University of Bristol

Biography with photo at Britmovie

{{DEFAULTSORT:Handl, Irene 1901 births 1987 deaths People from Maida Vale English film actresses British people of Austrian descent British people of German descent English women novelists Actresses from London Writers from London 20th-century English actresses Golders Green Crematorium 20th-century English women writers 20th-century English novelists