Harold McCarthy
Encyclopedia
Harold McCarthy was an early and important British film critic.
McCarthy was an important, but largely forgotten film critic, as his work never reached the general public. Every week from 1932-1968, he produced single-sheet reports assessing the commercial viability of individual films for different audiences. These were available to cinema owners (usually independents) on a subscription-only basis. Managers of independent cinemas relied upon his judgments to choose what their audiences would see.
He reviewed more than 11,000 films, and the entire collection is now owned by the Bodleian Library
, having been discovered by bookseller Ed Maggs. The story behind this reviews only emerged after McCarthy's son Brian McCarthy answered an appeal for information on Front Row
, the BBC Radio 4 programme.
When he died in 1970, his local paper noted the passing of a loyal member of the Finchley Chrysanthemum Association, but neglected to mention his history as a film reviewer.
The Man from the McCarthy Agency was heard on BBC Radio 4 on 15 May 2008, presented by Matthew Sweet
.
McCarthy was an important, but largely forgotten film critic, as his work never reached the general public. Every week from 1932-1968, he produced single-sheet reports assessing the commercial viability of individual films for different audiences. These were available to cinema owners (usually independents) on a subscription-only basis. Managers of independent cinemas relied upon his judgments to choose what their audiences would see.
He reviewed more than 11,000 films, and the entire collection is now owned by the Bodleian Library
Bodleian Library
The Bodleian Library , the main research library of the University of Oxford, is one of the oldest libraries in Europe, and in Britain is second in size only to the British Library...
, having been discovered by bookseller Ed Maggs. The story behind this reviews only emerged after McCarthy's son Brian McCarthy answered an appeal for information on Front Row
Front Row (radio)
Front Row is a radio programme broadcast on BBC Radio 4. The BBC describes the programme as a "live magazine programme on the world of arts, literature, film, media and music." It is broadcast each week day between 7.15 and 7.45 and has a of highlights available for download. Shows usually include...
, the BBC Radio 4 programme.
When he died in 1970, his local paper noted the passing of a loyal member of the Finchley Chrysanthemum Association, but neglected to mention his history as a film reviewer.
The Man from the McCarthy Agency was heard on BBC Radio 4 on 15 May 2008, presented by Matthew Sweet
Matthew Sweet (writer)
Matthew Sweet is a British writer, journalist, and BBC broadcaster. He holds a doctorate from Oxford University on the sensation fiction of the 19th century, Wilkie Collins in particular...
.