Richard Wattis

Richard Wattis

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.

Acting

1974

Aladdin

Emperor Nanki

1974

1973

Take Me High

Sir Charles Furness

1973

Diamonds on Wheels

Sir Hilary Stanton

1972

Sykes

Charles Brown

1971

Coppers End

PC Eddie Edwards

1970

1970

The Goodies

TV Show Host

1968

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang

Secretary at Sweet Factory (uncredited)

1968

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang

Secretary at Sweet Factory (Uncredited)

1968

Wonderwall

Perkins

1967

The Prisoner

Fotheringay

1967

Casino Royale

British Army Officer

1966

1965

1965

The Liquidator

Flying Instructor

1965

Bunny Lake Is Missing

Shipping Clerk

1965

1965

1965

Operation Crossbow

Sir Charles Sims

1964

1963

1963

Come Fly with Me

Oliver Garson

1962

1962

The Longest Day

British Paratrooper

1962

I Thank a Fool

Ebblington

1962

Play It Cool

Nervous Man

1962

Bon Voyage!

Party Guest

1961

1961

Very Important Person

Entertainments Officer Woodcock

1961

1960

1960

1959

Libel

The Judge

1959

1959

1959

The Captain's Table

Chief Purser Herbert Prittlewell

1959

Follow a Star

Dr. W. Chatterway

1958

1957

Barnacle Bill

Registrar of Shipping

1957

1957

1957

1957

1957

1956

1956

1956

The Iron Petticoat

Lingerie Clerk

1956

1956

The Man Who Knew Too Much

Assistant Manager

1956

The Man Who Never Was

Shop Assistant

1956

1955

1955

Simon and Laura

Controller of Television Drama

1955

I Am a Camera

Bespectacled Man at Book Launch (uncredited)

1955

The Colditz Story

Richard Gordon

1954

The Crowded Day

Mr. Christopher

1954

1954

Hobson's Choice

Albert Prosser

1954

Doctor in the House

Medical Book Salesman (uncredited)

1953

Blood Orange

Detective Inspector MacLeod

1953

1953

1953

Top of the Form

Willoughby-Gore

1952

1952

1952

1952

1952

1952

Penny Princess

Hotel Desk Clerk (uncredited)

1951

Lady Godiva Rides Again

Casting Director

1950

The Clouded Yellow

Employment Agent

1950

The Happiest Days of Your Life

Arnold Billings: Staff of Nutbourne

1949

Helter Skelter

Compere of Nick Nack Show (uncredited)

1949

Kind Hearts and Coronets

Defence Counsel (uncredited)

1949

Marry Me

Minor Role (uncredited)

1938

A Yank at Oxford

Latin Speaker at Dinner (uncredited)

Infos

Full Name
Richard Wattis
Gender
Male
Date of Birth
2/25/1912
Date of Death
2/1/1975
Also Known As

Ричард Уоттис

Richard Cameron Wattis