Southampton - Douglas Watt, born on January 20, 1914, died on September 29 at Southampton Hospital of natural causes, he was 95-years-old.

Upon graduating from Cornell at 19 in 1934, Watt became a copy boy with The Daily News in the drama department where he was employed until 1993. He had many assignments including chief drama critic, music critic, and columnist He wrote the column "Small World" from 1955 to 1970. Watt used his craft at both radio station WJZ, and WEAF. He was on the job when Orson Welles' "War of the Worlds" came on the air, sending everyone into a panic.

In 1945 Watt was hired by William Shawn at The New Yorker to write about the music scene. Shawn wanted him to leave The News and be chief music critic at The New Yorker but Watt didn't want to give up his theater reviews which he so loved. He decided to continue writing for The News and at The New Yorker he wrote music profiles on opera, classical and popular music, as well as writing "The Tables for Two" column from 1948-1957.

In 1941 Watt went to New Jersey to see a current production of "Porgy and Bess" by George and Ira Gershwin. It was being performed by the Eva Jessye Choir (Dr. Jessye had been with the original Broadway production as Musical Director). The show had not done well on Broadway when it opened in 1935 but Watt made sure in 1941 "Porgy and Bess" would get a second chance. Fortunately, Watt's recognition of the importance of "Porgy and Bess" showed America the beauty of the musical and many of the songs from it, such as "Summertime," became part of America's popular music lexicon. Watt was so impressed he wrote a rave review. On the strength of the review producer, Cheryl Crawford was able to raise production money and re-open on Broadway to unanimous acclaim.

Watt's love and knowledge of music was the basis of many of his friendships with composers and lyricists of the day. Some of his friends include Richard Rodgers, Irving Berlin, Kurt Weill, Frank Loesser and Cy Coleman. The first review Watt wrote for The New Yorker was about Coleman, who at the time was 19 and appearing at The Shelburne Hotel. Watt and Duke Ellington collaborated on a musical version of George Bernard Shaw's, "Caesar and Cleopatra." Although Watt was approved by the Shaw estate Ellington wasn't (because of the color barrier that existed at that time) they ceased working on it.

Watt was an accomplished pianist, composer and lyricist who has been a member of ASCAP since the 1940s. He wrote songs such as "There's Not a Moment to Spare" (1939), "After All these Years" (1940), "I'd Do it Again " (1941), "Man," (1945) and "Heaven Help Me." His songs were performed and recorded by Doris Day, Frankie Laine and Mark Warnow. Watt was one of the founders of "The Drama Desk Awards." He was also a member of the Drama Critics Circle, member of the nominating committee for The Theater World Awards, Tony Awards, and the Pulitzer Jury for Drama, Derwent Awards, Callaway Awards and chairman of the nominating committee for The Astaire Awards since their inception in 1980.

Watt was a critic on the first cable television show reviewing theater in the 1960s and 1970s. He has been often quoted in anthologies on the theater. He also covered the theater for WNBC News during the 1962-1963 newspaper strike.

Watt's career as a critic spanned over a half a century affording a unique insight. For example, Watt was at the 1949 opening night performance of Arthur Miller's "Death of a Salesman," and when it reopened at the Eugene O'Neill Theater on the 50th Anniversary in 1999. His review in 1949 would have found him catching a cab at the end of the play back to The Daily News and a half-hour to write his review and get it down to the Linotype operators for the early morning edition. Fifty years later he would type his review and then send it electronically to his office.

Besides his love of the theater and music, Watt enjoyed his time with his wife at their summer home in Southampton. He loved his daily walk for a swim in Peconic Bay. After which he'd hum a melody as he walked back to the cottage.

But New York City was where his soul resided. Once while on a plane from Los Angeles to New York, Watt was sitting next to a man who was boasting how he had been to every city in the world. Watt asked him if he had been to New York. When the man answered, "No," Watt replied, "Well, you haven't been anywhere."

Watt was the only son of Benjamin (a structural engineer) and Anne Watt. His childhood included fond memories of being a Boy Scout, the thrill of flying at Teterboro Airport and fishing.

He Watt is survived by his wife Ethel Watt, his two sons Richard and James, his two daughters Patricia and Katherine and eight grandchildren.

Cremation took place at Brockett's Funeral Home, and a service will be held in New York City at a later date.