Why is cinema suddenly so popular

A. Movies have become an instant and reassuring therapy for people in the world since the attacks on America on September 11. Despite the lure of television, videos and DVS, during the past two months Britains and Americans have been spending more at the cinema than at any time since the 1940s. Video rentals have increased too. Analysts say the tragic events in New York have forced people on both sides of the Atlantic to stay in by the box or only venture as far as the nearest Odeon. Hollywood claims that as it was during the Great Depression years, so people have once again turned to them for comfort.

Q. What makes a comfort movie

A. Harry Potter and The Philosopher's Stone has wowed audiences in Britain and the US - taking record takings so far. But at times of crisis, people tend to turn to the familiar. To watch a film time and again takes away the threat of surprise and turns it into a reassuring ritual - even with something violent like The Godfather.

A recent survey in The Times suggested romance was the most comforting genre of all and came up with a Top Five list:

1. Annie Hall (1977). Woody Allen at his most charming and Diane KEaton at her most elegant. It's a heart-warming tale of how to fall in love.

2. High Society (1956). A perennial favourite in which Cole Porter asks: "Who wants to be a millionaire " It's reassuring to find Bing Crosby still loves Grace Kelly, as does Frank Sinatra - and her fiancee.

3. Now Voyager (1942) Bette Davis woos a married Paul Henreid - classic romance.

4. Swing Time (1936). Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers in tune to Jerome Kern's romance and songs.

5. Pulp Fiction (1994). A love match between John Travolta and Uma Thurmna, under the watchful eye of Quentin Tarantino. (Added menace from Samuel L. Jackson and Tim Roth)

Q. What are the best British films

A. The survey comes up films with the feel-good factor from Old Blighty. It suggests:

1. The Ladykillers (1955). Peter Sellers and Alec Guinnes in fine fettle as they hatch ta polt to murder a little old lady - but it doesn't go quite right

2. Withnail and I (1986) Richard E grant

3. Kind Hearts and Coronets (1949) Penniless Dennis Price bumps off his aristocratic family one by one to inherit a fortune. Sir Alec Guinness plays seven parts

4. The Wrong Box (1966) Classic drama starring Michael Caine, Peter Cook, Dudley Moore, John Mills and Peter Sellers

5. The Happiest Days of Your Life (1950) The Ronald Searle St Trinian's comedy with Alastair SIm doubling up and George Cole and Flash Harry the spiv.

Q. Is there an appetite for war movies now

A. Hollywood has withheld production on a number of films because of sensitivity over the New York attacks. Former Beirut hostage Brian Keenan has been told filming on a long-awaited project on his days spent in captiviity is one such project postponed because of what happened in New York. Yet the first DVD of the The Godfather trilogy is being snapped up - partly perhaps because of its familiarity.

War movies that still captivate the public include the 1965 Julie Andrews epic The Sound of Music, the 1941 classic Casablanca, The Great Escape (1963) starring Steve McQueen, A Matter of Life and Death (1946) and Path of Glory, Stanley Kubrick's Great Wat court-martial masterpiece with Kirk Douglas.

What is your all-time favourite comfort film on a wet Sunday afternoon

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By Katharine MacColl