Irene Handl (27 December 1901 – 29 November 1987) was a Britishcharacter actress who appeared in more than 100 British films; she also wrote novels.[1]
Irene Handl was born inMaida 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 ofDame 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.[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 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 ofrock and roll, especially the work ofElvis Presley, and was president of theLewisham branch of the Elvis Presley fan club.[7] She was also a fellow of theRoyal Geographical Society, and one of Britain's most avid champions ofChihuahuas, being inseparable from the pair that she owned.[7]
On television, she appeared as a guest in a number of comedy series, notably as a regular inEducating Archie and as the Cockney widow Ada Cresswell inFor the Love of Ada, which was lateradapted for the cinema. She also advertised Horniman's tea. In 1969 she starred in the seriesWorld in Ferment as Madame Astoria.[8] She also appeared inMaggie and Her (1978) oppositeJulia McKenzie. In the early 1980s she played Gran in the ITV children's comedy showMetal Mickey. She appeared in a rare aristocratic role as the Duchess of Sheffield inMapp and Lucia and as another aristocratic character inEric Sykes's television filmIt's Your Move (1982), in which her chauffeur was played byBrian Murphy. She also appeared as Madame de Bonneuil in the BBC's TV filmHotel du Lac in 1986. She appeared inSuper Gran as the magician The Great Ronaldo and asTim Wylton's mother inClinging Ivy (1985). Her last appearance was in theBBC sitcomIn Sickness and in Health in 1987, just before her death at the age of 85.
In addition to acting, she wrote two novels:The Sioux (1965), described byMargaret Drabble as "strange and unforgettable ... Highly original and oddly haunting";[9] and its sequel,The Gold Tip Pfitzer, (a type ofJuniper, associated with mourning), (1966).The Sioux was reprinted asGreen and Purple Dream (1973).[10] She began writing what becameThe 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]
Handl died in her flat inKensington, West London, on 29 November 1987, aged 85,[11] reportedly from cancer. She never married.[12] She was cremated atGolders Green Crematorium, North London.
