Bates, Michael

(1920–1978)

   British actor Michael Bates was born in Jhansi, India, on December 4, 1920, the son of Sarah Clarke (Walker) and Harry Stuart Bates. He was educated at Uppingham and St. Catharine’s College, Cambridge. During World War II he served with the rank of Honorary Major with the Gurkhas. His first stage appearance was at the Connaught Theatre, Worthing, in January of 1947. He went on to play Shakespeare at Stratford-upon-Avon (1948–1952) and Stratford, Ontario (1953); later work followed at the Old Vic and the Royal Court in London. Bates began acting in films in 1954 and appeared in Richard Attenborough’s Oh,What a Lovely War! (1969) before going on to play the officious chief guard who transfers Alex from prison to the Ludovico treatment center in A CLOCKWORK ORANGE and later watches in wonderment the demonstration after Alex’s “cure. ” Bates also made memorable screen appearances in Patton (1970) and Hitchcock’s Frenzy (1972).

   J. M. W.