
Athene Seyler
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Athene Seyler, CBE (31 May 1889 โ 12 September 1990) was an English actress. Although better known as a stage actress - she first appeared on the stage in 1909 - she made her film debut in 1921, and became known for playing slightly dotty old ladies in many British films from the 1930s to the 1960s. Her most memorable stage credits included Mrs. Malaprop in The Rivals, Lady Bracknell in The Importance of Being Earnest, and a double-act, with her good friend Dame Sybil Thorndike, as the murderous spinster sisters in Arsenic and Old Lace. Her film and television career lasted into the 1960s, and included roles in The Citadel (1938), Night of the Demon (1957), and The Avengers (1964, 1965). She was also a regular cast member in screen adaptations of Charles Dickens' novels. She virtually retired from acting after 1970, but continued making public appearances until well into the 1980s. In 1990, at the age of 101, she appeared at the National Theatre, talking about her long life and career. Athene Seyler was President of the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) from 1950, and a member of the Theatrical Ladies' Guild. She also wrote The Craft of Comedy. She was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 1959.
Known For
Credits
- 1966 ยทDon't Utter a Noteas Nellie Pringle
- 1963 ยทThe Invasionas Lady Corm
- 1963 ยทNurse on Wheelsas Miss Farthingale
- 1962 ยทI Thank a Foolas Aunt Heather Chandler
- 1962 ยทThe Girl on the Boatas Mrs Adelaide Hignett
- 1962 ยทTwo and Two Make Sixas Aunt Phoebe Tonks
- 1962 ยทSatan Never Sleepsas Sister Agness
- 1961 ยทFrancis of Assisias Aunt Buona
- 1961 ยทThe Avengersas
- 1960 ยทVisa to Cantonas Mao Tai Tai
- 1960 ยทA French Mistressas Beatrice Peake
- 1960 ยทMake Mine Minkas Dame Beatrice Appleby
- 1959 ยทThe Third Manas
- 1958 ยทThe Inn of the Sixth Happinessas Jeannie Lawson
- 1958 ยทHappy Is the Brideas Aunt Harriet
- 1958 ยทA Tale of Two Citiesas Miss Pross
- 1957 ยทNight of the Demonas Mrs. Karswell
- 1957 ยทCampbell's Kingdomas Miss Abigail
- 1957 ยทHow to Murder a Rich Uncleas Grannie (Victoria Clitterbern)
- 1957 ยทDoctor at Largeas Lady Hawkins
- 1956 ยทYield to the Nightas Miss Bligh
- 1955 ยทAs Long as They're Happyas Mrs. Arbuthnot
- 1954 ยทFor Better, for Worseas Miss Mainbrace
- 1954 ยทThe Weak and the Wickedas Millie Williams
- 1953 ยทThe Beggar's Operaas Mrs. Trapes
- 1952 ยทThe Pickwick Papersas Miss Witherfield
- 1952 ยทMade in Heavenas Miss Honeycroft
- 1952 ยทTreasure Huntas Consuelo Howard
- 1952 ยทSecret Peopleas Mrs. Reginald Kellick
- 1951 ยทYoung Wives' Taleas Nanny Gallop
- 1951 ยทThe Franchise Affairas Aunt Lin
- 1949 ยทThe Queen of Spadesas Princess Ivashin
- 1948 ยทThe First Gentlemanas Miss Knight
- 1947 ยทJassyas
- 1947 ยทThe Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nicklebyas Miss La Creevy
- 1943 ยทDear Octopusas Aunt Belle
- 1941 ยทLetter from Homeas Mrs Ashford
- 1941 ยทQuiet Weddingas Aunt Mary
- 1939 ยทYoung Man's Fancyas Milliner
- 1939 ยทThe Saint in Londonas Mother Buckley
- 1938 ยทThe Ware Caseas Mrs Pinto
- 1938 ยทThe Citadelas Lady Raebank
- 1938 ยทJane Steps Outas Grandma
- 1938 ยทSailing Alongas Victoria Gulliver
- 1937 ยทNon-Stop New Yorkas Aunt Veronica
- 1937 ยทThe Lilac Dominoas Madame Alary
- 1937 ยทThe Mill on the Flossas Mrs. Pullet
- 1937 ยทThe Skyโs the Limitas Miss Prinny
- 1936 ยทSensationas Madame Henry
- 1936 ยทSouthern Rosesas Mrs. Rowland
- 1936 ยทIt's Love Againas Mrs. Durland
- 1935 ยทScroogeas Scrooge's Charwoman
- 1935 ยทMoscow Nightsas Madame Anna Sabine
- 1935 ยทDrake of Englandas Queen Elizabeth
- 1934 ยทThe Private Life of Don Juanas Theresa, the Innkeeper, a Middle Aged Lady of Young Sentiment
- 1934 ยทBlossom Timeas Archduchess Maria Victoria
- 1933 ยทEarly to Bedas Frau Waiser
- 1932 ยทTell Me Tonightas Mrs. Pategg
- 1931 ยทThe Perfect Ladyas Lady Westhaven
- 1921 ยทThe Adventures of Mr. Pickwickas Rachel Wardle