Wylie Watson

Wylie Watson (born John Wylie Robertson on 6 February 1889 in Lanarkshire, Scotland) was a prolific Scottish‑born character actor whose career spanned more than three decades of British cinema. He first appeared on screen in the late silent era, with an uncredited bit part in It’s a Great Life (1929), and quickly became known for his reliable supporting performances, often cast as clerics, craftsmen, or affable locals. Watson's most iconic role came in Alfred Hitchcock’s thriller The 39 Steps (1935), where he portrayed the eccentric “Mr Memory”, a man who memorised fifty new facts each day, delivering a performance that blended eerie intensity with a touch of comic timing. His distinctive presence continued to enrich films such as Jamaica Inn (1939), Brighton Rock (1948), and the beloved Ealing comedy Whisky Galore! (1949), where he played the wily storekeeper Joseph Macroon. Throughout the 1940s he remained a busy fixture in productions ranging from wartime dramas like The Flemish Farm to light‑hearted fare such as Don Chicago and Happy Go Lovely, showcasing a versatility that made him a dependable second‑lead for directors and producers alike.

In 1952 Watson emigrated to Australia, joining a wave of British talent seeking new opportunities in the burgeoning Australian film industry. Although his Irish‑Australian phase was brief, he appeared in the classic The Sundowners (1960) as Herb Johnson, marking his final screen credit before retiring. Married to Ada Watson, the couple appears to have led a quiet domestic life; public records do not detail any children. Watson passed away on 3 May 1966 in Australia, aged 77, leaving behind a substantial body of work that continues to be revisited by classic‑film enthusiasts. His contributions to the golden age of British cinema are remembered for their subtle humor, dependable character work, and the unforgettable image of a man whose memory could hold “fifty new facts a day.”