The son of a British diplomat, London native Boris Karloff was born William Henry Pratt on Nov. 23, 1887. He eloped at 21 and emigrated to Canada, where he found work with touring theater troupes and changed his name.Thanks to his distinctive voice, the advent of talkies and a face easily transformed by makeup, Karloff became a bona fide film star. He found his niche as a stalwart of horror classics such as Frankenstein (1931), The Mummy (1932), The Black Cat (1934), Bride of Frankenstein (1935) and The Body Snatcher (1945). The actor won the role of his signature character, Frankenstein, because Bela Lugosi turned down the part.
Karloff found a new generation of fans in the '50s as a familiar face on the small screen. After narrating the 1966 animated tale How the Grinch Stole Christmas, he spoofed himself in his last major movie, Targets (1968). Karloff died from emphysema Feb. 2, 1969.
The MummyWhen British archaeologists uncover the ancient sarcophagus of a mummified Egyptian priest (Boris Karloff), they foolishly ignore its warning not to open the box, and the mummy is brought back to life. Taking the form of a modern Egyptian, he quickly begins his quest to resurrect the soul of his... Read More
The Mystery of Mr. WongShortly after it was stolen by an anonymous thief, the priceless Eye of the Daughter of the Moon sapphire reappears in the home of a wealthy collector. But the jewel comes with a deadly curse that can't be stopped. Horror icon Boris Karloff -- best known for his classic portrayal of Frankenstein's... Read More
Voodoo Island / Four SkullsIn the first of these B-horror flicks, Voodoo Island, Boris Karloff leads an investigation into mysterious disappearances on an island that's the site for a future resort. But after carnivorous plants and zombies begin to chomp away, real estate prices (and life expectancies) plummet. In The Four... Read More
The Old Dark HouseThe director and star of 1931's Frankenstein reunite for this classic creepy-family black comedy. When stranded motorists arrive at a misty Welsh mansion, they find a family of fanatics, lunatics and a 102-year-old patriarch (played by a woman). Read More
Die, Monster, Die! / The Dunwich HorrorHorror icon Boris Karloff stars as a scientist who's simply mad over mutation in the first of two spine-tinglers based on stories by H.P. Lovecraft. In Die, Monster, Die, a man discovers his fiancée's dad (Karloff) is responsible for the rash of deformities. Gidget goes Goth in the next film,... Read More
