Richard Cameron Wattis (25 February 1912 – 1 February 1975) 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 Wednesbury ( ) is a market town in the Sandwell district, in the county of the West Midlands (county), West Midlands, England; it was historically in Staffordshire. It is located near the source of the River Tame, West Midlands, River Tame and ...

, 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 Bromsgrove School is a co-educational boarding and day school in the Worcestershire town of Bromsgrove, England. Founded in 1553, it is one of the oldest public schools in Britain, and one of the 14 founding members of the Headmasters' Confer ...

, 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 and ideology that seeks to promote and preserve traditional institutions, customs, and values. The central tenets of conservatism may vary in relation to the culture and civiliza ...

MP for

Walsall Walsall (, or ; locally ) is a market town and administrative centre of the Metropolitan Borough of Walsall, in the West Midlands (county), West Midlands, England. Historic counties of England, Historically part of Staffordshire, it is located ...

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 Districts of England, local government district of Greater London; it is one of the largest commercial districts in Greater Lond ...

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'' (1938). War service interrupted his career as an actor. He served as a second lieutenant in the Small Arms Section of

Special Operations Executive Special Operations Executive (SOE) was a British organisation formed in 1940 to conduct espionage, sabotage and reconnaissance in German-occupied Europe and to aid local Resistance during World War II, resistance movements during World War II. ...

at Station VI during the

Second World War World War II or the Second World War (1 September 1939 – 2 September 1945) was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War II, Allies and the Axis powers. World War II by country, Nearly all of the wo ...

(

James Bond The ''James Bond'' franchise focuses on James Bond (literary character), the titular character, a fictional Secret Intelligence Service, British Secret Service agent created in 1953 by writer Ian Fleming, who featured him in twelve novels ...

author

Ian Fleming Ian Lancaster Fleming (28 May 1908 – 12 August 1964) was a British writer, 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., and his ...

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 Ron ...

'', ''

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 incl ...

'', and ''

The Great St Trinian's Train Robbery ''The Great St. Trinian's Train Robbery'' is a British comedy film, directed by Frank Launder and Sidney Gilliat, written by Sidney and Leslie Gilliat, and released on 4 April 1966. It is the last of the original series of films based on the ' ...

'') as Manton Bassett, a civil servant who was the Deputy Director of Schools in the

Ministry of Education An education ministry is a national or subnational government agency politically responsible for education. Various other names are commonly used to identify such agencies, such as Ministry of Education, Department of Education, and Ministry of Pub ...

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

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang ''Chitty Chitty Bang Bang'' is a 1968 children's film, children's Musical film, musical fantasy film directed by Ken Hughes and produced by Albert R. Broccoli. It stars Dick Van Dyke, Sally Ann Howes, Lionel Jeffries, Gert Fröbe, Anna Quayle, ...

'', '' 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 A very important person (VIP or V.I.P.) or personage is a person who is accorded special privilege (legal ethics), privileges due to their high social rank, social status, status, social influence, influence, or Importance (disambiguation), impo ...

'', '' 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 "Sykes" is a surname of Anglo-Saxon English origins, which generally has topographical roots as it original linguistic origin. The name derives from the Old Norse word "sík" or "síkja", meaning a small stream, marshy hollow, or gully. It eventua ...

'' and as a storyteller on the BBC children's programme ''

Jackanory ''Jackanory'' was a BBC children's television series which was originally broadcast between 1965 and 1996. It was designed to stimulate an interest in Reading (activity), reading. The programme was first transmitted on 13 December 1965, and the ...

'', 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 ...

'', ''

The Prisoner ''The Prisoner'' is a British television series created by Patrick McGoohan. McGoohan portrays Number Six (The Prisoner), Number Six, an unnamed British intelligence agent who is abducted and imprisoned in a The Village (The Prisoner), mysteri ...

'', ''

The Goodies The Goodies were a trio of British comedians: Tim Brooke-Taylor (17 July 1940 – 12 April 2020), Graeme Garden (b. 18 February 1943) and Bill Oddie (b. 7 July 1941). The trio created, wrote for and performed in their The Goodies (TV series), ...

'', ''

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 radio series starred Tony Hancock, with Sidney James, Bill Kerr and,at various ...

'', and '' Father, Dear Father''. From 1957 to 1958, he appeared as Peter Jamison in three episodes of the American sitcom '' Dick and the Duchess''.

Personal life and death

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, writer Dan Rebellato claimed Wattis was homosexual.

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'' (1938) as Latin Speaker at Dinner (uncredited) * '' Marry Me!'' (1949) as Minor Role (uncredited) * ''

Kind Hearts and Coronets ''Kind Hearts and Coronets'' is a 1949 British crime film, crime black comedy film directed by Robert Hamer. It features Dennis Price, Joan Greenwood, Valerie Hobson and Alec Guinness; Guinness plays eight characters. The plot is loosely based ...

'' (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 ''The Lavender Hill Mob'' is a 1951 British comedy film from Ealing Studios, written by T. E. B. Clarke, directed by Charles Crichton, starring Alec Guinness and Stanley Holloway and featuring Sid James and Alfie Bass. The title refers ...

'' (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'' (1952) as Carter * '' Stolen Face'' (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, the last of his four drawing-room plays, following ''Lady Windermere's Fan'' (1892), ''A Woman of No Importance'' (1893) and ''An Ideal Husban ...

'' (1952) as Seton * '' Derby Day'' (1952) as Editor (uncredited) * '' Mother Riley Meets the Vampire'' (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 confidential material that a government deems to be sensitive information which must be protected from unauthorized disclosure that requires special handling and dissemination controls. Access is restricted by law or ...

'' (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'' (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 (fruit), orange with crimson, near blood-colored flesh. It is one of the sweet orange varieties (Citrus × sinensis, ''Citrus'' × ''sinensis''). It is also known as the raspberry orange. The dark flesh ...

'' (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 Doctor in the House may refer to: * Doctor in the House (novel), ''Doctor in the House'' (novel), a 1952 novel by Richard Gordon ** Doctor in the House (film), ''Doctor in the House'' (film), a 1954 British film adaptation of the novel *** Doctor i ...

'' (1954) as Medical Book Salesman (uncredited) * '' Hobson's Choice'' (1954) as Albert Prosser * ''

'' (1954) as Manton Bassett * '' The Crowded Day'' (1954) as Mr. Christopher * '' Lease of Life'' (1954) as The Solicitor * ''

'' (1955) as Richard Gordon * '' As Long as They're Happy'' (1955) as Theatre Stage Manager (uncredited) * '' See How They Run'' (1955) as Rev. Lionel Toop * '' I Am a Camera'' (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'' (1955) as Hoskins * '' The Time of His Life'' (1955) as John Edgar * ''

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

'' (1955) as Boone * '' Jumping for Joy'' (1956) as Carruthers * ''

The Man Who Never Was ''The Man Who Never Was'' is a 1956 British espionage thriller film produced by André Hakim and directed by Ronald Neame. It stars Clifton Webb and Gloria Grahame and features Robert Flemyng, Josephine Griffin and Stephen Boyd. It is b ...

'' (1956) as Shop Assistant * '' The Man Who Knew Too Much'' (1956) as Assistant Manager * ''

The Iron Petticoat ''The Iron Petticoat'' (also known as ''Not for Money'') is a 1956 British Cold War comedy film starring Bob Hope and Katharine Hepburn, and directed by Ralph Thomas. The screenplay by Ben Hecht became the focus of a contentious history behind t ...

'' (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'' (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'' (1959) as Prittlewell * '' Ten Seconds to Hell'' (1959) as Major Haven * '' Left Right and Centre'' (1959) as Harding-Pratt * '' The Ugly Duckling'' (1959) as Barclay * ''

Libel Defamation is a communication that injures a third party's reputation and causes a legally redressable injury. The precise legal definition of defamation varies from country to country. It is not necessarily restricted to making assertions ...

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

'' (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 Maj. Whaley, British Paratrooper * '' Venus fra Vestø'' (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'' (1965) as Jeweler * ''

Operation Crossbow ''Crossbow'' was the code name in World War II for Anglo-American operations against the German V-weapons, long range reprisal weapons (V-weapons) programme. The primary V-weapons were the V-1 flying bomb and V-2 rocket, which were launched agai ...

'' (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'' (1965) as Lever, Music Publisher * ''

'' (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! ''Monte Carlo or Bust!'' is a 1969 epic comedy film, also known by its American title, ''Those Daring Young Men in Their Jaunty Jalopies''. A co-production of the United Kingdom, France and Italy, the story is based on the Monte Carlo Rally – ...

'' (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'' (1972) as Simmonds * '' Diamonds on Wheels'' (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 English gay actors 20th-century English LGBTQ people Military personnel from the West Midlands (county)