Richard Wattis (25 February 1912 – 1 February 1975) was an English actor, co-starring in many popular British

comedies Comedy is a genre of fiction that consists of discourses or works intended to be humorous or amusing by inducing laughter, especially in theatre, film, stand-up comedy, television, radio, books, or any other entertainment medium. The term origin ...

of the 1950s and 1960s.

Early life

Richard Cameron Wattis was born on 25 February 1912 in Wednesbury,

Staffordshire Staffordshire (; postal abbreviation Staffs.) is a landlocked county in the West Midlands region of England. It borders Cheshire to the northwest, Derbyshire and Leicestershire to the east, Warwickshire to the southeast, the West Midlands C ...

, 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 (Wednesbury) Ltd. His uncle, William Preston (1874–1941), was the managing director and was the

Conservative Conservatism is a cultural, social, and political philosophy that seeks to promote and to preserve traditional institutions, practices, and values. The central tenets of conservatism may vary in relation to the culture and civilization in ...

MP for

Walsall Walsall (, or ; locally ) is a market town and administrative centre in the West Midlands County, England. Historically part of Staffordshire, it is located north-west of Birmingham, east of Wolverhampton and from Lichfield. Walsall is th ...

from 1924 to 1929.

Career

After leaving the family business, Wattis became an actor. His debut was with

Croydon Croydon is a large town in south London, England, south of Charing Cross. Part of the London Borough of Croydon, a local government district of Greater London. It is one of the largest commercial districts in Greater London, with an exten ...

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 ''A Yank at Oxford'' is a 1938 comedy-drama film directed by Jack Conway and starring Robert Taylor, Lionel Barrymore, Maureen O'Sullivan, Vivien Leigh and Edmund Gwenn. The screenplay was written by John Monk Saunders and Leon Gordon. The ...

'' (1938), but war service interrupted his career as an actor. He served as a

second lieutenant Second lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer military rank in many armed forces, comparable to NATO OF-1 rank. Australia The rank of second lieutenant existed in the military forces of the Australian colonies and Australian Army unt ...

in the Small Arms Section of

Special Operations Executive The Special Operations Executive (SOE) was a secret British World War II organisation. It was officially formed on 22 July 1940 under Minister of Economic Warfare Hugh Dalton, from the amalgamation of three existing secret organisations. Its p ...

at Station VI during the

Second World War World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposi ...

(

James Bond The ''James Bond'' series focuses on a fictional British Secret Service agent created in 1953 by writer Ian Fleming, who featured him in twelve novels and two short-story collections. Since Fleming's death in 1964, eight other authors hav ...

author,

Ian Fleming Ian Lancaster Fleming (28 May 1908 – 12 August 1964) was a British writer who is best known for his postwar ''James Bond'' series of spy novels. Fleming came from a wealthy family connected to the merchant bank Robert Fleming & Co., an ...

worked in the same section). 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 (''

The Belles of St. Trinian's ''The Belles of St Trinian's'' is a 1954 British comedy film, directed by Frank Launder, co-written by Launder and Sidney Gilliat, and starring Alastair Sim, Joyce Grenfell, George Cole, Hermione Baddeley. Inspired by British cartoonist R ...

'', ''

Blue Murder at St Trinian's ''Blue Murder at St Trinian's'' is a 1957 British comedy film, directed by Frank Launder, co-written by Launder and Sidney Gilliat, and starring Terry-Thomas, George Cole, Joyce Grenfell, Lionel Jeffries and Richard Wattis; the film also i ...

'', and '' The Great St Trinian's Train Robbery'') 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'' (1957). 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 A Hobson's choice is a free choice in which only one thing is actually offered. The term is often used to describe an illusion that multiple choices are available. The most well known Hobson's choice is "I'll give you a choice: take it or leav ...

'', '' The Inn of the Sixth Happiness'', ''

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang ''Chitty Chitty Bang Bang'' is a 1968 musical-fantasy film directed by Ken Hughes with a screenplay co-written by Roald Dahl and Hughes, loosely based on Ian Fleming's novel '' Chitty-Chitty-Bang-Bang: The Magical Car'' (1964). The film stars ...

'', '' Carry On Spying'', ''

The Colditz Story ''The Colditz Story'' is a 1955 British prisoner of war film starring John Mills and Eric Portman and directed by Guy Hamilton. It is based on the 1952 memoir written by Pat Reid, a British army officer who was imprisoned in Oflag IV-C, Coldit ...

'', '' Dentist on the Job'', '' Very Important Person'', '' The Happiest Days of Your Life'', and '' The Longest Day''. He also appeared on television, including a long-running role in '' Sykes'' and as a storyteller on the BBC children's programme ''

Jackanory ''Jackanory'' is a BBC children's television series which was originally broadcast between 1965 and 1996. It was designed to stimulate an interest in reading. The show was first transmitted on 13 December 1965, and the first story was the fair ...

'', narrating in 14 episodes between 1971 and 1972. Other television credits include appearances in ''

Danger Man ''Danger Man'' (retitled ''Secret Agent'' in the United States for the revived series, and ''Destination Danger'' and ''John Drake'' in other overseas markets) is a British television series that was broadcast between 1960 and 1962, and again b ...

'', ''

The Prisoner ''The Prisoner'' is a 1967 British television series about an unnamed British intelligence agent who is abducted and imprisoned in a mysterious coastal village, where his captors designate him as Number Six and try to find out why he abruptl ...

'', '' The Goodies'', ''

Hancock's Half Hour ''Hancock's Half Hour'' was a BBC radio comedy, and later television comedy series, broadcast from 1954 to 1961 and written by Ray Galton and Alan Simpson. The series starred Tony Hancock, with Sidney James; the radio version also co-starr ...

'', and ''

Father, Dear Father ''Father, Dear Father'' is a British television sitcom produced by Thames Television for ITV from 1968 to 1973 starring Patrick Cargill. It was subsequently made into a spin-off film of the same title released in 1973. An Australian sequel ...

''. From 1957 to 1958, he appeared as Peter Jamison in three episodes of the American sitcom ''

Dick and the Duchess Dick, Dicks, or Dick's may refer to: Media * ''Dicks'' (album), a 2004 album by Fila Brazillia * Dicks (band), a musical group * ''Dick'' (film), a 1999 American comedy film * "Dick" (song), a 2019 song by Starboi3 featuring Doja Cat Names ...

''.

Personal life and death

Wattis was gay in an era when this was a

taboo A taboo or tabu is a social group's ban, prohibition, or avoidance of something (usually an utterance or behavior) based on the group's sense that it is excessively repulsive, sacred, or allowed only for certain persons.''Encyclopædia Britannica ...

subject, and when

homosexual Homosexuality is romantic attraction, sexual attraction, or sexual behavior between members of the same sex or gender. As a sexual orientation, homosexuality is "an enduring pattern of emotional, romantic, and/or sexual attractions" to pe ...

acts were criminal offences in the UK. On 1 February 1975, Wattis suffered a

heart attack A myocardial infarction (MI), commonly known as a heart attack, occurs when blood flow decreases or stops to the coronary artery of the heart, causing damage to the heart muscle. The most common symptom is chest pain or discomfort which ma ...

while dining at Berwick's Restaurant in

Walton Street, London Walton Street is a street within central London's Chelsea district, bordering Knightsbridge. It runs south-west to north-east from Draycott Avenue to Walton Place, parallel to Brompton Road to the north. It is known for its boutiques and rest ...

. 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 St Paul's Church is a Church of England parish church located in Bedford Street, Covent Garden, central London. It was designed by Inigo Jones as part of a commission for the 4th Earl of Bedford in 1631 to create "houses and buildings fit fo ...

, the "Actor's Church", and a plaque near his grave.

In fiction

Wattis was played by Richard Clifford in the 2011 film ''

My Week with Marilyn ''My Week with Marilyn'' is a 2011 biographical film directed by Simon Curtis and written by Adrian Hodges. It stars Michelle Williams, Kenneth Branagh, Eddie Redmayne, Dominic Cooper, Julia Ormond, Emma Watson, and Judi Dench. Based on tw ...

'', which depicts the making of the 1957 film '' The Prince and the Showgirl''.

Selected filmography

* ''

'' (1938) as Latin Speaker at Dinner (uncredited) * '' Marry Me!'' (1949) as Minor Role (uncredited) * '' Kind Hearts and Coronets'' (1949) as Defence Counsel (uncredited) * '' Helter Skelter'' (1949) as Compere of Nick Nack show (uncredited) * '' The Chiltern Hundreds'' (1949) as Vicar (uncredited) * '' Your Witness'' (1950) as Minor Role (uncredited) * '' The Happiest Days of Your Life'' (1950) as Arnold Billings * '' The Clouded Yellow'' (1950) as Employment Agent * '' The Lavender Hill Mob'' (1951) as Opposition MP (uncredited) * '' Appointment with Venus'' (1951) as Carruthers – Higher Executive * '' Lady Godiva Rides Again'' (1951) as Otto Mann (casting director) * '' The Happy Family'' (1952) as M.P. * ''

Song of Paris ''Song of Paris'' is a 1952 British comedy film directed by John Guillermin and starring Dennis Price, Anne Vernon and Hermione Baddeley. It was shot at Walton Studios outside London. It was distributed in the United States by Lippert Pictures ...

'' (1952) as Carter * ''

Stolen Face ''Stolen Face'' is a 1952 British film noir directed by Terence Fisher and starring Paul Henreid, Lizabeth Scott and André Morell. It was made at Riverside Studios by Hammer Film Productions. Plot Dr. Philip Ritter, a plastic surgeon (Paul He ...

'' (1952) as Mr. Wentworth, Store Manager * ''

The Importance of Being Earnest ''The Importance of Being Earnest, A Trivial Comedy for Serious People'' is a play by Oscar Wilde. First performed on 14 February 1895 at the St James's Theatre in London, it is a farcical comedy in which the protagonists maintain fictitious ...

'' (1952) as Seton * '' Derby Day'' (1952) as Editor (uncredited) * ''

Mother Riley Meets the Vampire ''Mother Riley Meets the Vampire'', also known as ''Vampire Over London'' or ''My Son, the Vampire'', is a 1952 British horror comedy film directed by John Gilling, starring Arthur Lucan and Bela Lugosi that was filmed at Nettlefold Studios. ...

'' (1952) as P.C. Freddie * '' Penny Princess'' (1952) as Hotel Desk Clerk (uncredited) * '' Made in Heaven'' (1952) as The Vicar, Hayworth Honeycroft * ''

Top Secret Classified information is material that a government body deems to be sensitive information that must be protected. Access is restricted by law or regulation to particular groups of people with the necessary security clearance and need to kn ...

'' (1952) as Barnes * '' Top of the Form'' (1953) as Willoughby-Gore * '' Appointment in London'' (1953) as Pascal * '' Innocents in Paris'' (1953) as Secretary * ''

Colonel March Investigates ''Colonel March Investigates'' is a 1953 British film consisting of the three pilot episodes of the TV series ''Colonel March of Scotland Yard'' that were filmed in 1952, starring Boris Karloff.Stephen Jacobs, ''Boris Karloff: More Than a Monster' ...

'' (1953) as Cabot * '' The Final Test'' (1953) as Cricket Fan in the Stand. (uncredited) * '' Park Plaza 605'' (1953) as Theodore Feather * ''

Blood Orange The blood orange is a variety of orange ( ''Citrus'' × ''sinensis'') (also referred to as raspberry orange) with crimson, almost blood-colored flesh. The distinctive dark flesh color is due to the presence of anthocyanins, a family of polyp ...

'' (1953) as Detective Inspector MacLeod * '' The Intruder'' (1953) as School Master * '' Background'' (1953) as David Wallace * '' Small Town Story'' (1953) as Marsh (uncredited) * '' Doctor in the House'' (1954) as Medical Book Salesman (uncredited) * ''

'' (1954) as Albert Prosser * ''

'' (1954) as Manton Bassett * ''

The Crowded Day ''The Crowded Day'' is a 1954 British comedy drama film directed by John Guillermin and starring John Gregson, Joan Rice, Cyril Raymond and Josephine Griffin. The film follows a group of shopgirls working in Bunting and Hobbs, a London departm ...

'' (1954) as Mr. Christopher * ''

Lease of Life ''Lease of Life'' is a 1954 British drama film made by Ealing Studios and directed by Charles Frend. The film was designed as a star-vehicle for Robert Donat, representing his return to the screen after an absence of over three years during whi ...

'' (1954) as The Solicitor * ''

'' (1955) as Richard Gordon * ''

As Long as They're Happy ''As Long as They're Happy'' is a 1955 British musical comedy film directed by J. Lee Thompson and starring Jack Buchanan, Susan Stephen and Diana Dors. It is based on the 1953 play of the same name by Vernon Sylvaine. It was shot at Pinewood ...

'' (1955) as Theatre Stage Manager (uncredited) * '' See How They Run'' (1955) as Rev. Lionel Toop * ''

I Am a Camera ''I Am a Camera'' is a 1951 Broadway play by John Van Druten adapted from Christopher Isherwood's 1939 novel '' Goodbye to Berlin'', which is part of ''The Berlin Stories''. The title is a quotation taken from the novel's first page: "I am a ca ...

'' (1955) as Bespectacled Man at Book Launch (uncredited) * '' Escapade'' (1955) as Peace committee member (uncredited) * '' Simon and Laura'' (1955) as Controller of Television Drama ('CT') * ''

An Alligator Named Daisy ''An Alligator Named Daisy'' is a 1955 British comedy film directed by J. Lee Thompson and starring Donald Sinden, Jeannie Carson, James Robertson Justice, Diana Dors, Roland Culver and Stanley Holloway. Plot Returning from a cricket match i ...

'' (1955) as Hoskins * ''

The Time of His Life ''The Time of His Life'' is a 1955 British comedy film directed by Leslie S. Hiscott and starring Richard Hearne, Ellen Pollock, Richard Wattis and Robert Moreton. The screenplay concerns a man who is released from prison and goes to live with ...

'' (1955) as John Edgar * ''

A Yank in Ermine ''A Yank in Ermine'' is a 1955 British comedy film directed by Gordon Parry and starring Peter Thompson, Noelle Middleton, Harold Lloyd Jr. and Diana Decker, and featuring Jon Pertwee and Sid James. It was adapted by John Paddy Carstairs fro ...

'' (1955) as Boone * '' Jumping for Joy'' (1956) as Carruthers * '' The Man Who Never Was'' (1956) as Shop Assistant * '' The Man Who Knew Too Much'' (1956) as Assistant Manager * '' The Iron Petticoat'' (1956) as Lingerie Clerk * '' Eyewitness'' (1956) as Anesthetist * '' It's a Wonderful World'' (1956) as Harold * '' The Green Man'' (1956) as Doctor * '' A Touch of the Sun'' (1956) as Purchase * ''Death in the Dressing Room'' (1956 episode of '' Colonel March of Scotland Yard'') as D. W. Cabot * ''

The Silken Affair ''The Silken Affair'' is a 1956 British romantic comedy film directed by Roy Kellino and starring David Niven, Geneviève Page, Wilfrid Hyde-White, Joan Sims, Irene Handl and Ronald Squire. The screenplay concerns an accountant who is creativ ...

'' (1956 as Worthington * '' Around the World in 80 Days'' (1956) as Inspector Hunter of Scotland Yard (uncredited) * '' The Little Hut'' (1957) as Official * '' Second Fiddle'' (1957) as Bill Turner * '' The Prince and the Showgirl'' (1957) as Northbrook * '' The Abominable Snowman'' (1957) as Peter Fox * '' High Flight'' (1957) as Chauffeur Wilson * '' Barnacle Bill'' (1957) as Registrar of Shipping * ''

'' (1957) as Manton Bassett * '' The Inn of the Sixth Happiness'' (1958) as Mr. Murfin * ''

The Captain's Table ''The Captain's Table'' is a 1959 British comedy film directed by Jack Lee based upon a novel by Richard Gordon. It stars John Gregson, Donald Sinden, Peggy Cummins and Nadia Gray, and featured Maurice Denham, Joan Sims, John Le Mesurier, ...

'' (1959) as Prittlewell * '' Ten Seconds to Hell'' (1959) as Major Haven * ''

Left Right and Centre ''Left Right and Centre'' is a 1959 British satirical comedy film directed by Sidney Gilliat and starring Ian Carmichael, Patricia Bredin, Richard Wattis, Eric Barker and Alastair Sim. It was produced by Frank Launder. A political comedy, it fo ...

'' (1959) as Harding-Pratt * '' The Ugly Duckling'' (1959) as Barclay * ''

Libel Defamation is the act of communicating to a third party false statements about a person, place or thing that results in damage to its reputation. It can be spoken (slander) or written (libel). It constitutes a tort or a crime. The legal defi ...

'' (1959) as The Judge * '' Follow a Star'' (1959) as Dr. Chatterway * '' Your Money or Your Wife'' (1960) as Hubert Fry * ''

Follow That Horse! ''Follow That Horse!'' is a 1960 British comedy film directed by Alan Bromly from a screenplay by William Douglas-Home. It stars David Tomlinson, Cecil Parker, Richard Wattis, Mary Peach and Dora Bryan. Various parties including scientists an ...

'' (1960) as Hugh Porlock * '' Very Important Person'' (1961) as Woodcock, Entertainments Officer * '' Nearly a Nasty Accident'' (1961) as Wagstaffe * '' Dentist on the Job'' (1961) as Macreedy * '' Play It Cool'' (1962) as Nervous Man * '' Bon Voyage!'' (1962) as Party guest * '' I Thank a Fool'' (1962) as Ebblington * '' The Longest Day'' (1962) as British Paratrooper * ''

Venus fra Vestø ''Venus fra Vestø'' (literally, ''Venus from West Island'') is a 1962 Danish comedy war film directed by Annelise Reenberg and starring Malene Schwartz. The film is based on Jerrard Tickell's 1951 novel ''Appointment with Venus'' (Danish tit ...

'' (1962) as Englænder * '' Come Fly with Me'' (1963) as Oliver Garson * '' The V.I.P.s'' (1963) as Sanders * '' Carry On Spying'' (1964) as Cobley * ''

The Amorous Adventures of Moll Flanders ''The Amorous Adventures of Moll Flanders'' is a 1965 British historical comedy film directed by Terence Young and starring Kim Novak, Richard Johnson, and Angela Lansbury. It is based on the 1722 novel ''Moll Flanders'' by Daniel Defoe. Pl ...

'' (1965) as Jeweler * '' Operation Crossbow'' (1965) as Sir Charles Sims * '' The Battle of the Villa Fiorita'' (1965) as Travel Agent * '' The Alphabet Murders'' (1965) as Wolf * '' You Must Be Joking!'' (1965) as Parkins * '' Bunny Lake Is Missing'' (1965) as Clerk in Shipping Office * '' The Liquidator'' (1965) as Flying Instructor * ''

Up Jumped a Swagman ''Up Jumped a Swagman'' is a 1965 British musical comedy film directed by Christopher Miles and starring Frank Ifield, Annette Andre, Ronald Radd and Suzy Kendall. It includes the songs "Waltzing Matilda" and "I Remember You". Premise An aspir ...

'' (1965) as Lever, Music Publisher * '' The Great St Trinian's Train Robbery'' (1966) as Manton Bassett * '' Casino Royale'' (1967) as British Army Officer * '' Wonderwall'' (1968) as Perkins * ''

'' (1968) as Secretary at Sweet Factory (uncredited) * '' Monte Carlo or Bust!'' (1969) as Golf Club Secretary * '' Tam-Lin'' (1970) as Elroy * '' Games That Lovers Play'' (1971) as Mr. Lothran * '' Sex and the Other Woman'' (1972) as Presenter * ''

That's Your Funeral ''That's Your Funeral'' was a BBC sitcom from 1971 about a North of England funeral director called Basil Bulstrode (Bill Fraser). Storylines used many urban legends An urban legend (sometimes contemporary legend, modern legend, urba ...

'' (1972) as Simmonds * ''

Diamonds on Wheels ''Diamonds on Wheels'' is a 1973 British family comedy film directed by Jerome Courtland and starring Peter Firth, Patrick Allen, George Sewell, Derek Newark, George Woodbridge and Barry Jackson. This was George woodbridge's last film and it ...

'' (1974) as Sir Hilary Stanton * '' Take Me High'' (1974) as Sir Charles Furness * '' Confessions of a Window Cleaner'' (1974) as Carole's Father

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Wattis, Richard 1912 births 1975 deaths British Army personnel of World War II English male film actors English male television actors People educated at Bromsgrove School People educated at King Edward's School, Birmingham People from Wednesbury Royal Army Medical Corps officers British Special Operations Executive personnel 20th-century English male actors British male comedy actors English gay actors 20th-century LGBT people