Like lugosi, boris karloffs name had a severe, centraleuropean ring to it but the actor who played frankensteins monster in the film wasnt from frankensteinland at all. Still unnerving to this day, frankenstein adroitly explores the fine line between genius and madness, and features boris karloff s legendary. Herman rosses memorable set designs, particularly the fantastic. Still unnerving to this day, frankenstein adroitly explores the fine line between genius and madness, and features boris karloffs legendary. Boris karloff as the frankenstein monster in 1931s frankenstein in his first entrance in the film. The films greatness stems less from its script than from the stark but moody atmosphere created by director james whale. He got his start performing in small theatricals in canada. Boris karloff hosts a trio of horror stories concerning a stalked call girl, a vampirelike monster who preys on his family, and a nurse who is haunted by her rings rightful owner. Alongside clive and karloff, the films cast also includes mae clarke, john boles, dwight frye, and edward van sloan. Boris karloff starred as the original film frank in 1931s frankenstein. He was a charter member of the screen actors guild, and he was especially outspoken due to the long hours he spent in makeup while playing frankenstein s monster.
With colin clive, mae clarke, boris karloff, john boles. Boris karloff, whose real name was william henry pratt, was an englishborn actor who emigrated to canada in the 1910s. The name boris karloff is forever recognized as one of the true icons of horror cinema. Oct 30, 2018 the name boris karloff was an invention, and a very effective one. The original %27frankenstein%27 movie came out in 1931. May 01, 2018 they have absolutely nothing to do with the movie.
Sort boris karloff movies by ultimate movie rankings umr score. This film has lightning, atmosphere, plot, and character. Boris karloff, original name william henry pratt, born november 23, 1887, london, englanddied february 2, 1969, midhurst, west sussex, english actor who became internationally famous for his sympathetic and chilling portrayal of the monster in the classic horror film frankenstein 1931. Major changes were made to the novels plot for this classic horror movie. Along with fellow actors lon chaney, bela lugosi and vincent price, boris karloff is recognized as one of the true icons of horror cinema, and the actor most closely identified with the general publics perception of the monster from the classic mary shelley book, frankenstein. Like lugosi, boris karloff s name had a severe, centraleuropean ring to it but the actor who played frankenstein s monster in the film wasnt from frankenstein land at all. Frankenstein was greeted with screams, moans, and fainting spells upon its initial release, obliging universal to add a disclaimer in which edward van sloan advises the faint of heart to leave the. In 2012, bride of frankenstein was released on bluray as part of the universal classic monsters. The essential collection box set, which also includes a total of nine films from the universal classic monsters series. Learn more about boris karloff at with exclusive news, full bio and filmography as well as photos, videos, and more. It wasnt until his 81st movie, when he was 44, that karloffs breakthrough role occurred with the 1931 movie frankenstein. In the hands of the former, the creature would have been a psychopathic murderer. For four decades, he terrified movie audiences by playing monsters, mad scientists and other menacing characters. Frankenstein colin clive exclaims his achievement and his godlike feeling of creation.
Robert florey storyboarded the last scene to show the funeral of all three characters. Refused to ever do another frankenstein film if bela was in it. Although many people may argue that the bride of frankenstein 1935 was a better movie, i think frankenstein is the best monster movie ever made. By 1919, karloff found regular work as an extra at universal studios. Frankenstein 68 movie clip the monster befriends maria. Je dirais, sans aucun doute, le premier frankenstein. Karloff in bride of frankenstein this is the filmography of boris karloff. The name boris karloff was an invention, and a very effective one. Karloffs first significant hit film was in howard hawkss the criminal code 1931. The youngest of nine children, he was educated at london university in. The makeup for the monster was provided by jack pierce.
Frankenstein 38 movie clip meet the monster 1931 hd. As the monster boris karloff is struck by lightning, dr. A hardworking and dignified man, karloff is primarily recognized for his portrayal of the monster in the universal pictures 1931 classic frankenstein. Frankenstein 1931 is the second of many classic monster movies made by universal studios, and in my opinion it is simply the best. After playing frankenstein s monster in the 1931 movie, frankenstein, karloff was known for his work in horror movies but thats not all.
He never legally changed his name to boris karloff. Boris karloff as the creature in bride of frankenstein 1935. William henry pratt 23 november 1887 2 february 1969, better known by his stage name boris karloff, was an english actor, best remembered for his roles in horror films and especially for his portrayal of frankensteins monster in frankenstein 1931, bride of frankenstein 1935, and son of. During these early stages of his career he was mostly left in obscurity. Frankenstein is a 1931 american precode science fiction horror film directed by james whale. He was to reprise his soontobe legendary role in both 1935s bride of frankenstein and 1939s son of frankenstein. Rodney dangerfield at his best on the tonight show starring johnny carson 1983 duration.
After a gentle moment between the monster boris karloff and little maria marilyn harris, he scares her by innocently throwing her in the lake. May 02, 2008 boris karloff as the frankenstein monster in 1931s frankenstein in his first entrance in the film. Interview sara karloff reflections on boris karloff. Boris karloff i 18871969 along with fellow actors lon chaney, bela lugosi and vincent price, boris karloff is recognized as one of the true icons of horror cinema, and the actor most closely identified with the general publics perception of the monster from the classic mary shelley book, frankenstein. It is widely regarded as one of the greatest sequels in cinematic history, with many fans and critics considering it to be an improvement on the original frankenstein. These landmark motion pictures defined the iconic look of henry frankensteins monster and his bride, and continue to inspire countless remakes and adaptations that. How this makeup whiz created the most recognizable monster of. Embracing his fame late in his acting career, he took on roles in legendary horror films such as the mummy 1932, the bride of frankenstein 1935. Born as william henry pratt, he joined a touring company and adopted the stage name boris karloff. In 1957s bad bmovie i was a teenage frankenstein, the comically deranged, toxic avengerlooking creature. He reprised the role in several sequels and also provided the voices of the grinch and the narrator in the holiday standard how. The youngest of nine children, he was educated at london university in preparation for a career as a diplomat.
Boris karloff loved the guy but scared me in every movie frankenstein boris karloff see more. Karloffs role as frankensteins monster was physically demanding it necessitated a bulky costume with fourinch platform boots but the costume and extensive makeup produced a lasting image. How this makeup whiz created the most recognizable monster. Boris karloff frankenstein on screen pictures cbs news. Karloff acted in eighty movies before being found by james whale and cast in frankenstein 1931. Frankenstein colin clive dares to tamper with life and death by. This was the second of universals 1930s horror films, after dracula and the first of their frankenstein cycle. The resulting creature, often known as frankensteins monster, is portrayed by boris karloff. Embracing his fame late in his acting career, he took on roles in legendary horror films such as the mummy 1932, the bride of frankenstein 1935, the ape 1940, and many more. William henry pratt was born on november 23, 1887, in camberwell. Karloff performed in a variety of contexts throughout his career, but is best remembered for his roles in horror films and his portrayal of frankensteins monster in the 1931 film frankenstein, 1935 film bride of frankenstein, and 1939 film son of frankenstein. He was a prolific performer and enjoyed performing.
Note also, that four different actors are credited as frankensteins monsters. Karloff was born william henry pratt in south london in 1887. It was the film that introduced boris karloff to the horror. After playing frankensteins monster in the 1931 movie, frankenstein, karloff was known for his work in horror movies but thats not all. Boris karloff full list of movies and tv shows in theaters, in production and upcoming films. Sep 16, 2015 a hardworking and dignified man, karloff is primarily recognized for his portrayal of the monster in the universal pictures 1931 classic frankenstein. Waldman edward van sloan how the monster boris karloff understands commands. Boris karloff along with bela lugosi and silent movie actor lon chaney, where the firsts actor to play evil roles in movie, undoubtedly his most memorable role is that of the monster in frankenstein 1931, a masterpiece of horror movie that was directed by james whale. Boris karloffs frankenstein celebrates 87th anniversary. This offers further proof that, boris karloff being the common denominator here, he was the one demanding such warped nonsense scenes be filmed and included or that he otherwise be photographed in such compromising positions that evidently stroked more than his fancy, in order for the dainty. Of course, the movie was a trendsetter in more ways than one, and features one of cinemas alltime finest performances from boris karloff as the tragic frankenstein monster, whilst whales inventive direction, the splendid sets, the awesome makeup, and colin clives hysterical turn as henry also contribute to the movies overall effect. Karloff will be forever remembered for his portrayal of frankensteins creation the monster in the classic 1931 picture frankenstein. Boris karloff biography, movie highlights and photos allmovie. For lugosi, his depiction of the creature was to display none of the character depth and sympathy brought to the role by boris karloff.
Complete legacy collection includes all 8 films from the original legacy including the tragic classic starring boris karloff and the timeless films that followed. Incredibly, one of the actors is credited as boris lugosi. In addition, the elderly baron frankenstein was to succumb to a heart attack, brought on by grief. This film is available from home video companies that are know to deal exclusively in public domain properties. The longreigning king of hollywood horror, boris karloff was born william henry pratt on november 23, 1887, in south london. He would revisit the role in 1935 with bride of frankenstein and in 1939.
Jealous of bela lugosis ygor success, post son of frankenstein 1939, boris karloff set out to sabotage bela lugosis career. Sort boris karloff movies by ultimate movie rankings umr score rank based on all the movies in our entire database. Michele mercier, lidia alfonsi, boris karloff, mark damon. One of the sons of frankenstein finds his fathers monster in a coma and revives him, only to find out he is controlled by ygor who is bent on revenge. Of course, the movie was a trendsetter in more ways than one, and features one of cinemas alltime finest performances from boris karloff as the tragic frankenstein monster, whilst whales inventive direction, the splendid sets, the awesome makeup, and colin clives hysterical turn as henry also contribute to the movie s overall effect. Boris karloff stars as the screens most memorable monster in what many consider to be the greatest horror film ever made. May 31, 2011 after a gentle moment between the monster boris karloff and little maria marilyn harris, he scares her by innocently throwing her in the lake. Find films and movies featuring boris karloff on allmovie. Most significantly, karloffs monster is neither intelligent nor articulate. Vintage photos of boris karloff on the set of frankenstein. Boris karloff as frankenstein monster first entrance. Boris karloff list of movies and tv shows tv guide.
Boris karloff biography, movie highlights and photos. He is, however, given proper credit as boris karloff in the closing credits. Boris karloff lived out his final years in england at his cottage, roundabout, in the hampshire village of bramshott. Sep 02, 2011 the films greatness stems less from its script than from the stark but moody atmosphere created by director james whale. In september 20, bride of frankenstein received a standalone bluray release. Karloff made numerous hollywood silent films without attaining success. William henry pratt was born on november 23, 1887, in camberwell, london, england, the son of edward john pratt. Boris karloff simple english wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Jun 01, 2011 frankenstein was greeted with screams, moans, and fainting spells upon its initial release, obliging universal to add a disclaimer in which edward van sloan advises the faint of heart to leave the. Boris karloff, english actor who became internationally famous for his sympathetic and chilling portrayal of the monster in the classic horror film frankenstein. Note also, that four different actors are credited as frankenstein s monsters. Published in 1818, mary shelleys gothic novel frankenstein, or the modern prometheus, about a doctor who. At the time of his daughters birth karloff was filming son of frankenstein, and reportedly rushed from the movie set to the hospital while still in full makeup. The bride of frankenstein is a 1935 american science fiction horror film, and the first sequel to universal pictures 1931 film frankenstein.
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