

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.
1974
Emperor Nanki
1974
Mr. Prendergast
1973
Sir Charles Furness
1973
Sir Hilary Stanton
1972
Charles Brown
1971
PC Eddie Edwards
1970
1970
TV Show Host
1968
Secretary at Sweet Factory (uncredited)
1968
Secretary at Sweet Factory (Uncredited)
1968
Perkins
1967
Fotheringay
1967
British Army Officer
1966
Manton Bassett
1965
1965
Flying Instructor
1965
Shipping Clerk
1965
Parkins
1965
Travel Agent
1965
Sir Charles Sims
1964
Cobley
1963
Sanders
1963
Oliver Garson
1962
Unknown
1962
British Paratrooper
1962
Ebblington
1962
Nervous Man
1962
Party Guest
1961
Macreedy
1961
Entertainments Officer Woodcock
1961
Clarke
1960
Unknown
1960
Unknown
1959
The Judge
1959
Barclay
1959
Harding-Pratt
1959
Chief Purser Herbert Prittlewell
1959
Dr. W. Chatterway
1958
Mr. Murfin
1957
Registrar of Shipping
1957
Hotelier
1957
Manton Bassett
1957
Wilson
1957
Dr. Peter Fox
1957
Northbrook
1956
Doctor
1956
Purchase
1956
Lingerie Clerk
1956
Unknown
1956
Assistant Manager
1956
Shop Assistant
1956
Arthur Cabot
1955
Hoskins
1955
Controller of Television Drama
1955
Bespectacled Man at Book Launch (uncredited)
1955
Richard Gordon
1954
Mr. Christopher
1954
Manton Bassett
1954
Albert Prosser
1954
Medical Book Salesman (uncredited)
1953
Detective Inspector MacLeod
1953
Wilkinson
1953
1953
Willoughby-Gore
1952
Barnes
1952
The vicar
1952
P.C. Freddie
1952
1952
Unknown
1952
Hotel Desk Clerk (uncredited)
1951
Casting Director
1950
Employment Agent
1950
Arnold Billings: Staff of Nutbourne
1949
Compere of Nick Nack Show (uncredited)
1949
Defence Counsel (uncredited)
1949
Minor Role (uncredited)
1938
Latin Speaker at Dinner (uncredited)
Ричард Уоттис
Richard Cameron Wattis