Richard Wattis

Richard Wattis

1912-02-25

Biography

Richard Cameron Wattis (25 February 1912 – 1 February 1975) was an English actor. 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 (1938), but 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 World War II (James Bond author, Ian Fleming worked in the same section). He 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. He was also involved as the secretary to Lord Scrumptious in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. Such appearances included the St Trinian's films (The Belles of St Trinian's, Blue Murder at St Trinian's, 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, 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. He also appeared on television, including a long-running role in Sykes, and 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.

Also appears in

The Longest Day

The Longest Day

7.6

Casino Royale

Casino Royale

5.3

Hobson’s Choice

Hobson’s Choice

7.4

The Man Who Knew Too Much

The Man Who Knew Too Much

7.5

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang

6.8

Bunny Lake Is Missing

Bunny Lake Is Missing

7.2

The Prince and the Showgirl

The Prince and the Showgirl

6.4

The Man Who Never Was

The Man Who Never Was

7.0

The Belles of St. Trinian’s

The Belles of St. Trinian’s

6.2

Kind Hearts and Coronets

Kind Hearts and Coronets

7.7

The Importance of Being Earnest

The Importance of Being Earnest

7.2

Operation Crossbow

Operation Crossbow

6.7

The Inn of the Sixth Happiness

The Inn of the Sixth Happiness

6.8

The Colditz Story

The Colditz Story

6.5

The Happiest Days of Your Life

The Happiest Days of Your Life

6.3

The Abominable Snowman

The Abominable Snowman

6.2

Doctor in the House

Doctor in the House

6.3

The Green Man

The Green Man

7.0

Carry On Spying

Carry On Spying

6.5

The V.I.P.s

The V.I.P.s

6.2