Barry Norman reveals his favourite films

For someone synonymous with the world of cinema for almost half a century, Barry Norman is less than forthcoming in the face of the 'what is your favourite ever film?' inquiry.

But upon contemplation of a career that has taken in the viewing of many more than 12,000 movies, his reticence on the subject begins to feel a little less surprising.

The 76-year-old film critic hosted a show at Forest Arts Centre, in Hawbush Road, Leamore, Walsall, last night, where he regaled a delighted crowd with intriguing insights into Casablanca, Gone with The Wind, The Adventures of Robin Hood and Dirty Harry.

But as he explained to the Express & Star ahead of the talk, he would not be able to pick a single all-time favourite movie.

"I have a whole bunch of favourite films and I can never understand why anyone who has seen many more than 50 films could have a single favourite," he says, speaking ahead of his appearance.

"My favourite film would have to be one that could match whatever mood I'm in at any given time. The fact is, that no such film exists and none will ever be made.

"I wrote a book on my 100 'best' films, but if I did it again now, I'm not sure that many of them would make the cut.

"In fact, even as it was being released, I thought 'I could probably substitute half of them with other films', each of which would have been just as deserving."

His longstanding role as host of the BBC's 'Film' television programme made him an institution before his departure to Sky in 1998, by which time the 'And why not?' catchphrase attributed to him by comedy show Spitting Image had entered into the national consciousness.

He said he felt the industry had changed radically since he began as a critic.

"The people who ran the Hollywood studios in the golden era of the 1930s weren't generally nice people, but they loved film," he said.

"The studios now are run by accountants and it's all about the bottom line.

"If Orson Welles was to turn up with Citizen Kane now, he wouldn't make it into the studio door.

"I think most modern studio bosses simply prefer yet another teenage romantic comedy, because that is what the audience likes."