Academy Awards News Conference following O'Toole's Honorary Oscar.

Questions are paraphrased for clarity; O'Toole's answers verbatim.

Announcer: Peter O'Toole.

(clapping)

Question: Are you now happy that you decided to come to the Oscars?

Peter O'Toole: Delighted.

Q: What kind of experience was it for you?

O'T: Exhilerating. Charming. Delightful.

Q: What do you think about modern actors actresses and movies?

O'T: When they're good, they're very very good. And when they're bad, they're horrible.

Q: Did you think the Oscars should go on tonight, what is your assessment of the show since it did go on?

O'T: I'm an entertainer that's my job there are men women children soidiers being killed right now - my job is to cheer people up if I can. That's all I'm doing. When I was a child in 1939 when the second world war began I was 7. And six years later a bomb landed on Hiroshima - so I'm quite accustomed to it.

I remember picking up a swimming trophy when I was about twelve - just before the attacks on Nagasaki and Hiroshima - and that's what one did. If we civilians can't go on properly, what on earth are they fighting for? This is an old point, surely - I hope that answers it.

Q: There are people you've worked with who are gone, now - do you miss them and how valuable do you think it is that hollywood does honour the great artists of the past?

O'T: I think it's both delightful and indeed honourable - and in terms of people who've gone, I've lost a few in the last few years and I miss them dreadfully - but they're not here - on we go, on!

Q: You had your musical experience [O'Toole laughs] with Man of La Mancha, what do you think about the musical coming back?

O'T: You'll be pleased to here I've been in three musicals - I can't sing a note - all three have died. I did a play called "Oh my Papa" in London - with that song in it, I even sang in it with the late Rachel Roberts, and then we did Man of La Mancha, and then we did Mr. Chips - all I know is, if I'm in it, then you'd be bankrupt!

(the news conference is interrupted by nearby screen showing Roman Polanski announced as Best Director - O'Toole goes over to watch it)

Q: At this moment in your life, do you prefer to write or to act? - (interrupts O'Toole starting to answer) and what do you think of the work of Roman Polanski?

O'T: That's about five questions! - I love writing - love it. This has nothing to do liking it - because it can be a bore, and a fad, but I do get on with it - love it.

[Polanski] is a very interesting man. I met him a long time ago - strange little bugger - I quite liked him. Young, then, very good films I think.

Q: Who did you come to the Oscars with?

O'T: My children.

Press Conference Ends.