Richard Wattis
Richard Cameron Wattis was an English actor, co-starring in many popular British comedies of the 1950s and 1960s.
Early life
Richard Cameron Wattis was born on 25 February 1912 in Wednesbury, Staffordshire, the elder of two sons born to Cameron Tom Wattis and Margaret Janet, née Preston. He attended King Edward's School and Bromsgrove School, after which he worked for the electrical engineering firm William Sanders & Co Ltd. His uncle, William Preston, was the managing director and was the Conservative MP for Walsall from 1924 to 1929.
Career
After leaving the family business, Wattis became an actor. His debut was with Croydon Repertory Theatre, and he made many stage appearances in the West End in London. His first appearance in a film was A Yank at Oxford.
War service interrupted his career as an actor. He served as a second lieutenant in the Small Arms Section of Special Operations Executive at Station VI during the Second World War.
Wattis is best known for his appearances, wearing his thick-rimmed round spectacles, in British comedies of the 1950s and 1960s, often as a "Man from the Ministry" or similar character. Such appearances included the St Trinian's films as Manton Bassett, a civil servant who was the Deputy Director of Schools in the Ministry of Education, where he was often seen frowning and expressing indignation at the outrageous behaviour of other characters. To American audiences, Wattis is probably best known for his performance as the British civil servant Northbrook in The Prince and the Showgirl. He broke from this typecasting in his later films, such as his starring role in Games That Lovers Play.
Wattis's other films included Hobson's Choice, The Inn of the Sixth Happiness, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Carry On Spying, The Colditz Story, Dentist on the Job, Very Important Person, The Happiest Days of Your Life, and The Longest Day. Operation Crossbow as Sir Charles Sims. He also appeared on television, including a long-running role in Sykes and as a storyteller on the BBC children's programme Jackanory, narrating in 14 episodes between 1971 and 1972. Other television credits include appearances in Danger Man, The Prisoner, The Goodies, Hancock's Half Hour, and Father, Dear Father. From 1957 to 1958, he appeared as Peter Jamison in three episodes of the American sitcom Dick and the Duchess.
On 1 February 1975, Wattis suffered a heart attack while dining at Berwick's Restaurant in Walton Street, London. He was taken to hospital, but was dead on arrival. He was 62 years old. A memorial service was held for him at St Paul's, Covent Garden, the "Actor's Church", and a plaque near his grave.
In 1999, twenty-four years after Wattis' death, it emerged that Wattis was gay.
In fiction
Wattis was played by Richard Clifford in the 2011 film My Week with Marilyn, which depicts the making of the 1957 film The Prince and the Showgirl.
Selected filmography
A Yank at Oxford as Latin Speaker at Dinner Marry Me! as Minor Role Kind Hearts and Coronets as Defence Counsel Helter Skelter as Compere of Nick Nack show The Chiltern Hundreds as Vicar Your Witness as Minor Role The Happiest Days of Your Life as Arnold BillingsThe Clouded Yellow as Employment AgentThe Lavender Hill Mob as Opposition MP Appointment with Venus as Carruthers – Higher ExecutiveLady Godiva Rides Again as Otto Mann The Happy Family as M.P.Song of Paris as CarterStolen Face as Mr. Wentworth, Store ManagerThe Importance of Being Earnest as SetonDerby Day as Editor Mother Riley Meets the Vampire as P.C. FreddiePenny Princess as Hotel Desk Clerk Made in Heaven as The Vicar, Hayworth HoneycroftTop Secret as BarnesTop of the Form as Willoughby-GoreAppointment in London as PascalInnocents in Paris as SecretaryColonel March Investigates as CabotThe Final Test as Cricket Fan in the Stand. Park Plaza 605 as Theodore FeatherBlood Orange as Detective Inspector MacLeodThe Intruder as School MasterBackground as David WallaceSmall Town Story as Marsh Doctor in the House as Medical Book Salesman Hobson's Choice as Albert ProsserThe Belles of St. Trinian's as Manton BassettThe Crowded Day as Mr. ChristopherLease of Life as The SolicitorThe Colditz Story as Richard GordonAs Long as They're Happy as Theatre Stage Manager See How They Run as Rev. Lionel ToopI Am a Camera as Bespectacled Man at Book Launch Escapade as Peace committee member Simon and Laura as Controller of Television Drama An Alligator Named Daisy as HoskinsThe Time of His Life as John EdgarA Yank in Ermine as BooneJumping for Joy as CarruthersThe Man Who Never Was as Shop AssistantThe Man Who Knew Too Much as Assistant ManagerThe Iron Petticoat as Lingerie ClerkEyewitness as AnesthetistIt's a Wonderful World as HaroldThe Green Man as DoctorA Touch of the Sun as PurchaseDeath in the Dressing Room as D. W. CabotThe Silken Affair as Inspector Hunter of Scotland Yard The Little Hut as OfficialSecond Fiddle as Bill TurnerThe Prince and the Showgirl as NorthbrookThe Abominable Snowman as Peter FoxHigh Flight as Chauffeur WilsonBarnacle Bill as Registrar of ShippingBlue Murder at St Trinian's as Manton BassettThe Inn of the Sixth Happiness as Mr. MurfinThe Captain's Table as PrittlewellTen Seconds to Hell as Major HavenLeft Right and Centre as Harding-PrattThe Ugly Duckling as BarclayLibel as The JudgeFollow a Star as Dr. ChatterwayYour Money or Your Wife as Hubert FryFollow That Horse! as Hugh PorlockVery Important Person as Woodcock, Entertainments OfficerNearly a Nasty Accident as WagstaffeDentist on the Job as MacreedyPlay It Cool as Nervous ManBon Voyage! as Party guestI Thank a Fool as EbblingtonThe Longest Day as Maj. Whaley, British ParatrooperVenus fra Vestø as EnglænderCome Fly with Me as Oliver GarsonThe V.I.P.s as SandersCarry On Spying as CobleyThe Amorous Adventures of Moll Flanders as JewelerOperation Crossbow as Sir Charles SimsThe Battle of the Villa Fiorita as Travel AgentThe Alphabet Murders as WolfYou Must Be Joking! as ParkinsBunny Lake Is Missing as Clerk in Shipping OfficeThe Liquidator as Flying InstructorUp Jumped a Swagman as Lever, Music PublisherThe Great St Trinian's Train Robbery as Manton BassettCasino Royale as British Army OfficerWonderwall as PerkinsChitty Chitty Bang Bang as Secretary at Sweet Factory Monte Carlo or Bust! as Golf Club SecretaryTam-Lin as ElroyGames That Lovers Play as Mr. LothranSex and the Other Woman as PresenterThat's Your Funeral as SimmondsDiamonds on Wheels as Sir Hilary StantonTake Me High as Sir Charles FurnessConfessions of a Window Cleaner as Carole's Father