Athene Seyler
- Known for
- Acting
- Born
- May 31, 1889
- Died
- September 12, 1990
- Birthplace
- Hackney, London, England, UK
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.
Filmography
- Don't Utter a Note
Don't Utter a Note 1966
as Nellie Pringle
- The Invasion
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
Visa to Canton 1960
as Mao Tai Tai
A French Mistress 1960
as Beatrice Peake
Make Mine Mink 1960
as Dame Beatrice Appleby
- A Woman of No Importance
A Woman of No Importance 1960
as Lady Hunstanton
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
Jassy 1947
Actor
The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby 1947
as Miss La Creevy
- Dear Octopus
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
The Sky’s the Limit 1937
as Miss Prinny
Irish for Luck 1936
as The Duchess
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
Drake of England 1935
as Queen Elizabeth
Moscow Nights 1934
as Madame Anna Sabine
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
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
The Adventures of Mr. Pickwick 1921
as Rachel Wardle
Credits from TMDB.