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 frankenstein s monster in frankenstein 1931, bride of frankenstein 1935, and son of. Boris karloff, english actor who became internationally famous for his sympathetic and chilling portrayal of the monster in the classic horror film frankenstein. The 7 frankenstein movie trailers 19311948 by progrocktv. He is, however, given proper credit as boris karloff in the closing credits. Vintage photos of boris karloff on the set of frankenstein. Boris karloff stars as the screens most memorable monster in what many consider to be the greatest horror film ever made. However, after some great initial scenes in the graveyard, the. Karloff will be forever remembered for his portrayal of frankenstein s creation the monster in the classic 1931 picture frankenstein. As the monster boris karloff is struck by lightning, dr. An evil scientist and his hunchbacked assistant escape from prison and encounter dracula, the wolf man and frankenstein s monster. He got his start performing in small theatricals in canada. It was the film that introduced boris karloff to the horror. Major changes were made to the novels plot for this classic horror movie. It wasnt until his 81st movie, when he was 44, that karloff s breakthrough role occurred with the 1931 movie frankenstein.
Son of frankenstein was another universal monster movie with boris karloff as the creature. Almost 100 years later, in march 1910 the first frankenstein movie premiered in the usa. Incredibly, one of the actors is credited as boris lugosi. This film is available from home video companies that are know to deal exclusively in public domain properties. 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. What i think is most interesting about both mary shelleys novel frankenstein and the 1931 movie starring boris karloff is that when the creature awakes, its instantly treated as a monster. Karloff, seen frequently as frankenstein s monster, and lugosi, ever the vampire, both had designs on being the premiere horror film star, filling the void left by the death of lon. Boris karloff 10 best frankensteins monster movies. He reprised the role in several sequels and also provided the voices of the grinch and the narrator in the holiday standard how. Boris karloff, basil rathbone, bela lugosi, lionel atwill. 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. Kenton, starring boris karloff, lon chaney, john carradine, j.
Share boris karloff quotations about movies and horror. Thanks to karloff s acting and jack pierces cuttingedge special effects, this cinematic take on the books complicated colossus is still the most recognizable. He was to reprise his soontobe legendary role in both 1935s bride of frankenstein and 1939s son of frankenstein. Born william henry pratt in a london suburb, karloff did not come to hollywood to do niche films. There are a couple of iconic moments, including the fast cut to tight shots on boris karloff as we first see frankenstein s monster. The 44yearold karloff had physical difficulties due to moving in the padding, the back brace that was part of the costume, makeup and pound lifted boots. Sort boris karloff movies by ultimate movie rankings umr score rank based on all the movies in our entire database. The longreigning king of hollywood horror, boris karloff was born william henry pratt on november 23, 1887, in south london. The monster makes his first appearance on film frankenstein universal halloween without frankenstein.
Boris karloff full list of movies and tv shows in theaters, in production and upcoming films. Sep 02, 2011 the films greatness stems less from its script than from the stark but moody atmosphere created by director james whale. As designed by whale and makeup artist jack pierce, karloff s creature with his flattopped head, neck electrodes, tooshort suit, clunky boots, halting speech, lurching gait, and sleepwalkers outstretched arms didnt. Born as william henry pratt, he joined a touring company and adopted the stage name boris karloff. Herman rosses memorable set designs, particularly the fantastic. During these early stages of his career he was mostly left in obscurity. James whale schuf mit frankenstein einen klassiker des horrorfilms, dem zahlreiche weitere verfilmungen folgten. Karloff s appearance as frankenstein s monster, with makeup designed by horror makeup legend jack pierce, remains the most popular depiction of the character in popular culture. It wasnt until his 81st movie, when he was 44, that karloffs breakthrough role occurred with the 1931 movie frankenstein. Frankenstein realizes that he has created an aggressive monster, he and fritz lock the monster up in a cell. The films greatness stems less from its script than from the stark but moody atmosphere created by director james whale. 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. At the insistence of james whale, boris karloff actually carried colin clive in these shots, which were filmed for hours over several days. Boris karloff as frankenstein monster first entrance.
The original %27frankenstein%27 movie came out in 1931. Mary shelley reveals the main characters of her novel survived. Today is the birthday 1887 of william henry pratt, better known by his stage name 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. For four decades, he terrified movie audiences by playing monsters, mad scientists and other menacing characters. Frankenstein 1931 is the second of many classic monster movies made by universal studios, and in my opinion it is simply the best. Boris karloff as the creature in bride of frankenstein 1935. The huge success of james whales 1931 version of frankenstein has ensured that karloff s creature will forever be the definitive frankenstein s monster. When i was nine, i played the demon king in cinderella and it launched me on a long and happy life of being a.
William henry pratt 23 november 1887 2 february 1969, better known by his stage name boris karloff. But he gives the creature a lot of pathos and emotion. He portrayed frankenstein s monster in frankenstein 1931, bride of frankenstein 1935 and son of frankenstein 1939. He was a prolific performer and enjoyed performing. 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. Boris karloff actually made a movie called frankenberry instead of frankenstein. 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. Sort boris karloff movies by ultimate movie rankings umr score. Jan 28, 2014 the huge success of james whales 1931 version of frankenstein has ensured that karloffs creature will forever be the definitive frankensteins monster. This is particularly true in the scene where frankenstein first brings him into the light. So far hes been kept in complete darkness, frankenstein explains. The black room, the man they could not hang, the man with nine lives, before i hang, the devil commands, and the boogie man will get you. Karloff made numerous hollywood silent films without attaining success.
Frankenstein 68 movie clip the monster befriends maria. The name boris karloff was an invention, and a very effective one. Frankenstein colin clive exclaims his achievement and his godlike feeling of creation. Karloff ended playing the frankenstein monster with this film. Frankenstein 38 movie clip meet the monster 1931 hd. Karloff reprised the role in the bride of frankenstein 1935 and son of frankenstein 1939. Fact according to imdb, boris karloff sthe monsters shoes in frankenstein weighed pounds each. He was primarily known for his roles in horror films, but this time of year he is remembered as the narrator in the animated television special of dr. Inspired designs on tshirts, posters, stickers, home decor, and more by independent artists and designers from around the world. Note also, that four different actors are credited as frankenstein s monsters. 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. Frankenstein colin clive dares to tamper with life and death by creating a human monster boris karloff out of lifeless body parts. Boris karloff lived out his final years in england at his cottage, roundabout, in the hampshire village of bramshott. James whales film version of frankenstein 1931 featured boris karloff as the monster. He would revisit the role in 1935 with bride of frankenstein and in 1939. 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.
Frankenstein is a 1931 american precode science fiction horror film directed by james whale. Frankenstein, like todd brownings dracula released earlier the same year 1931, a landmark year which also saw the release of fritz langs dazzling serial killer thriller m. Boris karloff never talks in his role as the monster. After a gentle moment between the monster boris karloff and little maria marilyn harris, he scares her by innocently throwing her in the lake. 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. How to make the other universal monsters scary again. After playing frankenstein s monster in the 1931 movie, frankenstein, karloff was known for his work in horror movies but thats not all. Most significantly, karloffs monster is neither intelligent nor articulate.
The resulting creature, often known as frankensteins monster, is portrayed by boris karloff. He never legally changed his name to boris karloff. 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. These landmark motion pictures defined the iconic look of henry frankenstein s monster and his bride, and continue to inspire countless remakes and adaptations that. All orders are custom made and most ship worldwide within 24 hours. The youngest of nine children, he was educated at london university in preparation for a career as a diplomat. Universal studios charged landmark horror actor boris karloff with transforming the frankenstein creature into a big picture monster.
In 1931 universal pictures released one of its definite horror films, frankenstein, starring boris karloff. Boris karloff starred as the original film frank in 1931s frankenstein. Search, discover and share your favorite boris karloff gifs. As designed by whale and makeup artist jack pierce, karloffs creature with his flattopped head, neck electrodes, tooshort suit, clunky boots, halting speech, lurching gait, and sleepwalkers outstretched arms didnt. Karloff was born william henry pratt in south london in 1887. The youngest of nine children, he was educated at london university in. These landmark motion pictures defined the iconic look of henry frankensteins monster and his bride, and continue to inspire countless remakes and adaptations that. 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. Oct 30, 2018 the name boris karloff was an invention, and a very effective one. This film has lightning, atmosphere, plot, and character. Mary shelleys classic novelwas first published anonymously on january 1, 1818.
Frankenstein discovered, the body is brought to life during a thunderstorm, and the monster of frankenstein boris karloff is born. William henry pratt was born on november 23, 1887, in camberwell. Waldman edward van sloan how the monster boris karloff understands commands. 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. Boris karlof and bela lugosi, noted screen stars judge dark complexioned cats of. Boris karloff list of movies and tv shows tv guide. Also in the film were basil rathbone as the title character and bela lugosi as the sinister assistant ygor. Boris karloff loved the guy but scared me in every movie frankenstein boris karloff see more.
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. May 02, 2008 boris karloff as the frankenstein monster in 1931s frankenstein in his first entrance in the film. He reprised the role in several sequels and also provided the voices of the grinch and the narrator in the holiday standard how the grinch stole christmas. With colin clive, mae clarke, boris karloff, john boles. Frankenstein from mary shelley to boris karloff, peter. Boris karloff frankenstein on screen pictures cbs news. Frankenstein, goaded by an even madder scientist, builds his monster a mate. Thanks to the internet, it is now available to the public.
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