Above is a 3 minute, rare, must-see interview of Karloff talking about his Frankenstein experience.
"Certainly I was typed. But typing is a trademark.
A means by which the audience recognizes you.
Actors work all their lives to achieve that.
I got mine with just one picture.
It was a blessing."
Boris Karloff
You know Boris Karloff as the Frankenstein monster in Universal Studios first three Frankenstein movies. You may know him from watching old Roger Corman movies, or as the host for TV's Thriller series, now on dvd.
Karloff, was not only the host, but sometimes acted in the episodes. In the episode titled The Prediction, Karloff, age 75, was filming a scene where he was injured and lying in the road in the pouring rain. It would take hours to finish. The angle that Karloff was lying at was allowing the water running down the street, to go up his pant leg.
The director said, "Boris, you should change your position so that the water doesn't run up your pants."
Karloff asked, "What position is best for the camera?"
The director said, "Well, that position you're now in, is best for the camera. But you can change position."
"No, I can't," Karloff said. "This is my work."
Another time on the set of Thriller, another director came up to Karloff and said, "You've been smiling all day long. What's up?"
Karloff replied, "I'm 75 years old, and I love my work."
................................................................................................................................................................................................
NOTE: I got those stories from the Thriller director off the DVD commentary. I met Boris Karloff's daughter and told her those two stories which she was happy to hear.
2018: Forbidden Power wins Best Picture out of 1,000 entries at the BITB International Hollywood Film Festival.
2019 - Best Science Fiction Picture - Oklahoma BB Festival.
2019 - Best Thriller - London Flicks Festival.
2019 - Best Original Screenplay – Florence Film Awards Italy.
My movie addiction began with Frankenstein, the one with Boris Karloff. I remember being a frightened 6-year-old hiding under the seat at Clyne's theater in Pueblo, Colorado, hoping for protection from the big monster on the screen. Despite my terror, I couldn't stop peeking. And from that day on I have been hooked on movies.
So thanks for this interesting article about Karloff, Paul!
never stop writing
m
Boris did one of the first rap songs with his, Monster Mash. That distinctive voice could be recognized immediately and did the lyrics justice. I wonder how old he was when he did that. Michael Jackson may have gotten his idea of Thriller from what Boris did. The second best selling album of all time.
Ron