Athene Seyler
Biography
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.
Personal Details
Also Known As
Movies (46)
Don't Utter a Note
as Nellie Pringle
1966
The Invasion
as Lady Corm
1963
Nurse on Wheels
as Miss Farthingale
1963
I Thank a Fool
as Aunt Heather Chandler
1962
The Girl on the Boat
as Mrs Adelaide Hignett
1962
Two and Two Make Six
as Aunt Phoebe Tonks
1962
Satan Never Sleeps
as Sister Agness
1962
Francis of Assisi
as Aunt Buona
1961
Visa to Canton
as Mao Tai Tai
1960
A French Mistress
as Beatrice Peake
1960
Make Mine Mink
as Dame Beatrice Appleby
1960
A Woman of No Importance
as Lady Hunstanton
1960
The Inn of the Sixth Happiness
as Jeannie Lawson
1958
Happy Is the Bride
as Aunt Harriet
1958
A Tale of Two Cities
as Miss Pross
1958
Night of the Demon
as Mrs. Karswell
1957
Campbell's Kingdom
as Miss Abigail
1957
How to Murder a Rich Uncle
as Grannie (Victoria Clitterbern)
1957
Doctor at Large
as Lady Hawkins
1957
Yield to the Night
as Miss Bligh
1956
As Long as They're Happy
as Mrs. Arbuthnot
1955
For Better, for Worse
as Miss Mainbrace
1954
The Weak and the Wicked
as Millie Williams
1954
The Beggar's Opera
as Mrs. Trapes
1953
The Pickwick Papers
as Miss Witherfield
1952
Made in Heaven
as Miss Honeycroft
1952
Treasure Hunt
as Consuelo Howard
1952
Secret People
as Mrs. Reginald Kellick
1952
Young Wives' Tale
as Nanny Gallop
1951
The Franchise Affair
as Aunt Lin
1951
The Queen of Spades
as Princess Ivashin
1949
The First Gentleman
as Miss Knight
1948
Jassy
1947
The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby
as Miss La Creevy
1947
Dear Octopus
as Aunt Belle
1943
Letter from Home
as Mrs Ashford
1941
Quiet Wedding
as Aunt Mary
1941
Young Man's Fancy
as Milliner
1939
The Saint in London
as Mother Buckley
1939
The Ware Case
as Mrs Pinto
1938
The Citadel
as Lady Raebank
1938
Jane Steps Out
as Grandma
1938
Sailing Along
as Victoria Gulliver
1938
Non-Stop New York
as Aunt Veronica
1937
The Lilac Domino
as Madame Alary
1937
The Mill on the Floss
as Mrs. Pullet
1937
