Richard Wattis
Acting
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.
The Inn of the Sixth Happiness
as Mr. Murfin
Age 46 (now 62)
The Happiest Days of Your Life
as Arnold Billings: Staff of Nutbourne
Age 38 (now 62)
The Great St Trinian's Train Robbery
as Manton Bassett
Age 54 (now 62)
Eric Sykes: One of the Great Troupers
as Self (archive material)
Age 69 (now 62)
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
as Secretary at Sweet Factory (uncredited)
Age 56 (now 62)
The Great St Trinian's Train Robbery
as Manton Bassett
Age 54 (now 62)
The Battle of the Villa Fiorita
as Travel Agent
Age 53 (now 62)
Very Important Person
as Entertainments Officer Woodcock
Age 49 (now 62)
The Captain's Table
as Chief Purser Herbert Prittlewell
Age 46 (now 62)
The Inn of the Sixth Happiness
as Mr. Murfin
Age 46 (now 62)
Blue Murder at St. Trinian's
as Manton Bassett
Age 45 (now 62)
I Am a Camera
as Bespectacled Man at Book Launch (uncredited)
Age 43 (now 62)
As Long as They're Happy
as Hippodrome Stage Manager
Age 43 (now 62)
Doctor in the House
as Medical Book Salesman (uncredited)
Age 42 (now 62)
Mother Riley Meets the Vampire
as P.C. Freddie
Age 40 (now 62)
Appointment with Venus
as Carruthers - Higher Executive
Age 39 (now 62)
The Happiest Days of Your Life
as Arnold Billings: Staff of Nutbourne
Age 38 (now 62)
Kind Hearts and Coronets
as Defence Counsel (uncredited)
Age 37 (now 62)
Colonel March of Scotland Yard
as Arthur Cabot
Age 43 (now 62)Gathering insights...
Also Known As
Richard Cameron Wattis
IMDB
nm0915077