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.
Acted in 57
1960s
- 1965
- 1963
Nurse on Wheels
Miss Farthingale
- 1962
I Thank a Fool
Aunt Heather Chandler
The Girl on the Boat
Mrs Adelaide Hignett
Two and Two Make Six
Aunt Phoebe Tonks
Satan Never Sleeps
Sister Agness
- 1961
Francis of Assisi
Aunt Buona
- 1960
A French Mistress
Beatrice Peake
Make Mine Mink
Dame Beatrice Appleby
1950s
- 1959
- 1958
Happy Is the Bride
Aunt Harriet
A Tale of Two Cities
Miss Pross
- 1957
Campbell's Kingdom
Miss Abigail
How to Murder a Rich Uncle
Grannie (Victoria Clitterbern)
Doctor at Large
Lady Hawkins
- 1956
Armchair Theatre
Lady Corm, Nellie Pringle · 1 episode
Yield to the Night
Miss Bligh
- 1955
As Long As They're Happy
Mrs. Arbuthnot
- 1954
For Better, for Worse
Miss Mainbrace
The Weak and the Wicked
Millie Williams
- 1953
- 1952
The Pickwick Papers
Miss Witherfield
Made in Heaven
Miss Honeycroft
Treasure Hunt
Consuelo Howard
Secret People
Mrs. Reginald Kellick
- 1951
Young Wives' Tale
Nanny Gallop
The Franchise Affair
Aunt Lin
1940s
- 1949
The Queen of Spades
Princess Ivashin
- 1948
The First Gentleman
Miss Knight
- 1947
Jassy
Movie
- 1941
Letter from Home
Mrs Ashford
Quiet Wedding
Aunt Mary
1930s
- 1939
Young Man's Fancy
Milliner
The Saint in London
Mother Buckley
- 1938
The Ware Case
Mrs Pinto
The Citadel
Lady Raebank
Jane Steps Out
Grandma
Sailing Along
Victoria Gulliver
- 1937
Non-Stop New York
Aunt Veronica
The Lilac Domino
Madame Alary
- 1936
Sensation
Madame Henry
Irish for Luck
The Duchess
Southern Roses
Mrs. Rowland
It's Love Again
Mrs. Durland
- 1935
Scrooge
Scrooge's Charwoman
Drake of England
Queen Elizabeth
- 1934
Moscow Nights
Madame Anna Sabine
Blossom Time
Archduchess Maria Victoria
- 1932
Tell Me Tonight
Mrs. Pategg
- 1931
The Perfect Lady
Lady Westhaven
