Movie legend Clint Eastwood used his first visit to the Oxford Union to say Arnold Schwarzenegger would make a good governor of California.

The Dirty Harry star, received a standing ovation last night from the 600 students in the historic society's debating chamber where he was interviewed by film critic Barry Norman.

Eastwood, 73, was meant to be promoting his new film, the thriller Mystic River, and talking about his six-decade career as an actor and director. But when asked about The Terminator star's chances in his new job, he replied: "I think Arnold Schwarzenegger is going to make a good governor.

"He has good people around him, he had big business people giving him advice. Maybe he will make the right decisions, and if he progresses forward I wish him the best of luck.

"God knows California needs right now a fiscal, responsible citizen. It can't get any lower."

Eastwood, wearing a grey suit and tie and chocolate-brown sneakers, raised laughs by repeatedly asking Mr Norman to act as his "interpreter" as he could not understand British accents.

There was more mirth when a student asked him if he was as good a shot with a .44 Magnum as his Dirty Harry character. The actor replied that he could probably hit members of the press at the back of the hall.

Oxford Union president Marcus Walker said students were "surprised" at the actor's support for Schwarzenegger.

He added: "It was great. He got a standing ovation when he arrived and when he got up to go. The best thing was meeting the great man himself.

"We're all feeling very lucky."

Previous guests at the union include Michael Jackson, the Dalai Lama, US presidents Richard Nixon, Jimmy Carter and Ronald Reagan, and Kermit the Frog. Speakers expected later this term include the hip hop artist Wyclef John and, more controversially, Tony Martin, the farmer who was jailed for shooting an intruder.