Thorley Walters

Son of a clergyman, the British character actor 'Thorley Walters' (qv) was born in 1913 in Teigngrace, Devonshire, England. After stage experience, in which he played Shakespearean and light leading roles, he made his film debut in _The Love Test (1935)_ (qv) and continued his early film career with numerous quota quickies. Walters quickly found his acting niche in comic parts and became a featured player in films. During the 1950s and 1960s, he made his name in the comedies of the Boulting Brothers (e.g., _Private's Progress (1956)_ (qv), _Man in a Cocked Hat (1959)_ (qv), _Rotten to the Core (1965)_ (qv), et al.) and the Launder-Gilliat team [e.g., _Ring of Spies (1963)_, _Joey Boy (1965)_ (qv), and the St. Trinian's films). He also became well-known to horror fans through his numerous appearances for Hammer (_The Phantom of the Opera (1962)_ (qv), _Dracula: Prince of Darkness (1966)_ (qv), _Frankenstein Created Woman (1967)_ (qv), and _Vampire Circus (1972)_ (qv)), Amicus (_The Psychopath (1966)_ (qv) and _The People That Time Forgot (1977)_ (qv)).With his beefy build, square mustache, and befuddled manner, Walters was a natural to play Dr. Watson, which he did in several films, including _Sherlock Holmes und das Halsband des Todes (1962)_ (qv), _The Adventure of Sherlock Holmes' Smarter Brother (1975)_ (qv), and _The Sunday Drama: Silver Blaze (1977)_ (qv). In the latter part of his career, he became a familiar figure on television in such popular series as _The Duchess of Duke Street (1976)_ (qv) and _"Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy" (1979)(mini)_ . Walters was active in film and television until his death in 1991, appearing mostly in cameo roles as incompetent officers, bumbling authority figures, and muddle-headed assistants.::Lyn Hammond