Athene Seyler
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Athene Seyler, CBE (31 May 1889 – 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.
Acted in
Don't Utter a Note
1966
as Nellie Pringle
The Invasion
1963
as Lady Corm
Nurse on Wheels
1963
as Miss Farthingale
I Thank a Fool
1962
as Aunt Heather Chandler
The Girl on the Boat
1962
as Mrs Adelaide Hignett
Two and Two Make Six
1962
as Aunt Phoebe Tonks
Satan Never Sleeps
1962
as Sister Agness
Francis of Assisi
1961
as Aunt Buona
The Avengers
1961
Visa to Canton
1960
as Mao Tai Tai
A French Mistress
1960
as Beatrice Peake
Make Mine Mink
1960
as Dame Beatrice Appleby
The Third Man
1959
The Inn of the Sixth Happiness
1958
as Jeannie Lawson
Happy Is the Bride
1958
as Aunt Harriet
A Tale of Two Cities
1958
as Miss Pross
Night of the Demon
1957
as Mrs. Karswell
Campbell's Kingdom
1957
as Miss Abigail
How to Murder a Rich Uncle
1957
as Grannie (Victoria Clitterbern)
Doctor at Large
1957
as Lady Hawkins
Yield to the Night
1956
as Miss Bligh
As Long as They're Happy
1955
as Mrs. Arbuthnot
For Better, for Worse
1954
as Miss Mainbrace
The Weak and the Wicked
1954
as Millie Williams
The Beggar's Opera
1953
as Mrs. Trapes
The Pickwick Papers
1952
as Miss Witherfield
Made in Heaven
1952
as Miss Honeycroft
Treasure Hunt
1952
as Consuelo Howard
Secret People
1952
as Mrs. Reginald Kellick
Young Wives' Tale
1951
as Nanny Gallop
The Franchise Affair
1951
as Aunt Lin
The Queen of Spades
1949
as Princess Ivashin
The First Gentleman
1948
as Miss Knight
The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby
1947
as Miss La Creevy
Dear Octopus
1943
as Aunt Belle
Letter from Home
1941
as Mrs Ashford
Quiet Wedding
1941
as Aunt Mary
Young Man's Fancy
1939
as Milliner
The Saint in London
1939
as Mother Buckley
The Ware Case
1938
as Mrs Pinto
The Citadel
1938
as Lady Raebank
Jane Steps Out
1938
as Grandma
Sailing Along
1938
as Victoria Gulliver
Non-Stop New York
1937
as Aunt Veronica
The Lilac Domino
1937
as Madame Alary
The Mill on the Floss
1937
as Mrs. Pullet
The Sky’s the Limit
1937
as Miss Prinny
Sensation
1936
as Madame Henry
Southern Roses
1936
as Mrs. Rowland
It's Love Again
1936
as Mrs. Durland
Scrooge
1935
as Scrooge's Charwoman
Moscow Nights
1935
as Madame Anna Sabine
Drake of England
1935
as Queen Elizabeth
Blossom Time
1934
as Archduchess Maria Victoria
The Private Life of Don Juan
1934
as Theresa, the Innkeeper, a Middle Aged Lady of Young Sentiment
Early to Bed
1933
as Frau Waiser
Tell Me Tonight
1932
as Mrs. Pategg
The Perfect Lady
1931
as Lady Westhaven
The Adventures of Mr. Pickwick
1921
as Rachel Wardle