BORIS KARLOFF(1887-1969), British-born actor, best known for his roles in horror films, especially his performance as the monster in the motion picture Frankenstein (1931). Born William Henry Pratt on 23 November 1887, in Camberwell, London, England, UK , Karloff was educated at London University. In 1909 he emigrated to Canada, where he acted with traveling stage troupes. He moved to Hollywood, California, in the 1910s and acted in small roles in motion pictures. After sound films were developed in the late 1920s (see Motion Pictures, History of: Sound Films), Karloff's theatrical voice, towering presence, and striking features gained him attention in motion pictures such as The Criminal Code (1931) and Scarface (1932), both directed by Howard Hawks.

Karloff's 1931 performance as the monster in Frankenstein launched his career in horror films, and his subsequent appearances included roles in The Mask of Fu Manchu (1932), The Mummy (1932), The Old Dark House (1932), The Black Cat (1934), The Bride of Frankenstein (1935), and Son of Frankenstein (1939). His later horror films include The Body Snatcher (1945), Isle of the Dead (1945), Bedlam (1946), The Raven (1963), The Terror (1963), and Comedy of Terrors (1964). Boris Karloff died on the 2 February 1969, in Midhurst, Sussex, England, UK. He suffered from emphysema.

Karloff also appeared in nonhorror roles, including that of a religious fanatic in The Lost Patrol (1934), directed by John Ford, and that of a Native American leader in Unconquered (1947), directed by Cecil B. De Mille. His stage roles include a murderer in the comedy Arsenic and Old Lace (1941) and Captain Hook in the fantasy Peter Pan (1950). His last major motion picture was Targets (1968).

THE GHOUL (1933) Ernest Thesiger, Cedric Hardewicke, Ralph Richardson. We absolutely have the best video quality available on this all time horror classic, presented here in its full length, original British edition, complete with English opening and closing credits. Karloff plays an Egyptologist who comes back from the dead to seek revenge against those who defiled his tomb. The skin carving ritual scene still packs a jolt. Highly recommended.

THE MAN WHO LIVED AGAIN (1936, aka The Man Who Changed His Mind aka Dr. Maniac) Anna Lee, John Loder. This could very well be Karloffs best performance as a mad scientist, and the film must certainly rank as one of the best horror films of the 1930s. A mad scientist invents a machine that can transfer the personality and soul of one person into the body of another, and vice versa. Dynamite lab scenes, great script, excellent acting. Our video master comes directly from the only known 16mm print in North America. Dont miss it!

JUGGERNAUT (1936) Joan Wyndham, Arthur Margetson. Boris plays an evil doctor who plots with a greedy woman to slowly poison her rich husband to death. The motive of course is money, she wants the cash and he wants a new research laboratory. Promoted as a horror film, but its actually more along the lines of a Gothic melodrama. Released in the U.S. by Grand National.

MR. WONG, DETECTIVE (1938) Grant Withers, Evelyn Brent. KarloffŐs first performance as the oriental detective. Poison gas is used as the murder weapon in several slayings. Mr. Wong is called in to investigate.

MR. WONG IN CHINATOWN (1938) Grant Withers, Evelyn Brent. Wong must solve the murder of an oriental princess thats committed right in his own home. How embarrassing, Boris.

MYSTERY OF MR. WONG (1939) Grant Withers, Dorothy Tree. Murder and mystery surround the theft of a precious gem at a big social party. Naturally, Mr. Wong is called in to investigate.

THE APE (1940) Maris Wrixon, Stanford Jolly, Henry Hall. The only horror film Boris ever made for Monogram. The settings, shadings, and lighting give this film a very unique look. Its probably the best of Monograms "rural" horror films. Boris plays a mad scientist determined to find the cure for a crippling paralysis. He commits a series of murders while dressed as an ape in order to obtain human spinal fluid, which is needed for his research.

DOOMED TO DIE (1940) Grant Withers, Guy Usher. A shipping magnate, suspected of criminal activities, is slain under very mysterious circumstances. Mr. Wong is called in to help the police solve the case.

BRITISH INTELLIGENCE (1940) Margaret Lindsay, Holmes Herbert. Boris has grotesque makeup on once again. This time he portrays a master Nazi spy trying to sabotage the war effort in England. A good, Warner Bros. production.

THE FATAL HOUR (1940) Grant Withers, Marjorie Reynolds. The murder of a well known detective stuns the local police force. Mr. Wong and Lt. Street team up to try and track down the murderer.

DICK TRACY MEETS GRUESOME (1947) Ralph Byrd, Anne Gwynne, Skelton Knaggs. Mystery with a touch of science fiction. Gangsters utilize a mysterious gas that causes instant suspended animation, leaving everyone that breathes it literally frozen in their tracks.

MONSTER OF THE ISLAND (1953, aka Island Monster) Franco Marzi. This is undoubtedly KarloffŐs worst film. Shot in Italy, they didnŐt even use Boris to dub his own voice into English. He was probably grateful they didnŐt. This is one for all you bad film aficionados. Upgraded 9/5/95.

SABAKA(1953 aka The Hindu) Victor Jory, Reginald Denny. A lavish color adventure about a man who becomes involved with a strange cult that worships a weird, fire demon. Boris looks good in a turban.

DESTINATION NIGHTMARE (1958) Boris Karloff, Patrick Macnee. A quartet of horror stories. Boris hosts and acts in all of these episodes that were once part of a proposed Hal Roach TV series called, The Veil.

BLACK SABBATH* (1963) Boris Karloff, Mark Damon, Michelle Mercier, Jacqueline Pierreux. A Mario Bava masterpiece! Karloff hosts and stars in this superb trilogy of horror stories, all of which are unforgettable. "The Drop of Water" concerns a nurse who steals a ring off a dead spiritualist, only to have the corpse seek revenge. "The Telephone" features a prostitute whos terrorized by phone calls from a dead client. The final and best is, "The Wurdalak" featuring Karloff as a vampire who preys upon the blood of his loved ones. AIP scored big with this one. From 16mm.

THE TERROR (1963) Jack Nicholson, Dick Miller. This was one of Roger Corman's one week wonders. Boris plays the master of a castle that's haunted by the ghost of a beautiful young girl. First rate horror.

THE SNAKE PEOPLE (1968) Boris Karloff, Carlos East. A voodoo thriller. Natives on a tropical island are turned into mindless zombie slaves. Karloff's footage was shot shortly before his death.

THE FEAR CHAMBER (1968) Boris Karloff, Julissa, Carlos East. Boris plays another mad scientist again, this time experimenting with a bizarre 'living rock' that feeds itself on female blood.

HOUSE OF EVIL (1968) Boris Karloff, Directed by Jack Hill. Boris is seen tromping around an old torture dungeon in this, one of his final four Mexican horror films.

THE SINISTER INVASION (1968) Boris Karloff, Maura Monti, Enrique Guzman. Boris plays a scientist with a death ray in this sci-fi chiller about invading aliens that take over human bodies.