Minor Watson was a jovial, grandfatherly actor specializing in playing warm-hearted doctors, affable small-town businessmen, concerned army officers and other such characters. Watson wasn't as prolific as many other actors of his type; while he made slightly more than 100 films, his colleagues such as Russell Hicks and Pierre Watkin had over 300 to their credit, although Watson usually brought a warmth and a good humor to his roles that the others often didn't. While Hicks' and Watkin's characters commanded respect, Watson's soft Southern drawl (he was from Arkansas), engaging manner and soothing demeanor made his characters both liked and respected. He was especially effective as Col. Grayson, the commander of the Marines hitting the beach, in Guadalcanal Diary (1943).