Celluloid Diaries: 5 Things You Didn't Know About Boris Karloff

Wednesday, August 29, 2012

5 Things You Didn't Know About Boris Karloff

Today I have a guest post from Jolie du Pré, the author of Litria. She has stopped by to talk about her favorite horror actor, Boris Karloff.

boris karloff

No fan of classic horror movies is unaware of the name Boris Karloff. The Englishman, who died at the age of 81, is one of my favorite horror actors.

1. Boris Karloff, born William Henry Pratt on November 23, 1887, died of emphysema at his home in England on February 2, 1969. He was a major player in the formation of the Screen Actors Guild, or SAG, an American labor union founded in 1933.

2. Karloff spent 10 years in repertory companies, and then he went to Hollywood appearing in forty-five silent films for Universal Studios, including The Last of the Mohicans (1920) and Forbidden Cargo (1925).

3. The actor is best remembered for his portrayal of Frankenstein's monster in Frankenstein (1931), Bride of Frankenstein (1935), and Son of Frankenstein (1939). Karloff was awarded two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame - one for motion pictures and one for television.

4. The role that made Boris Karloff a star is his most famous role, that of Frankenstein's monster in the 1931 movie Frankenstein. When Bella Lugosi refused to take a role in which he would have his face hidden by makeup and have no lines, the role of The Monster went to Karloff.

5. Remember the 1966 cartoon version of How the Grinch Stole Christmas? Karloff provided the voice for the bitter, green character created by Dr. Seuss.

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jolie du pré litria

85 comments:

  1. The best Boris Karloff movies in my opinion are ISLE OF THE DEAD, BEDLAM and CORRIDORS OF BLOOD.

    Litria sounds really interesting. Thanks for the guest post!

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  3. Thanks Yvette! Then there's always THE BODY SNATCHER!

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  4. Thank you for bringing Litria to my attention. I wonder how the idea for new type of monsters (and their unordinary names) comes about to authors' minds:)) Zxxtergins? Very hard to pronounce:) But sounds intriguing.

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  5. Hey oloore! I wanted to write about something other than vampires or werewolves. (I got the idea about 10 years ago, before the zombie craze. I love zombies.) An author friend of mine came up with the name for my monsters - pronounced X-ter-gin. I sat on my idea until 2012 when I finally wrote novella 1. Novella 2 - CONAN - will be submitted to my publisher on September 3. There are four novellas in THE M SERIES. After I'm done with it, I'm working on a zombie novel. Thanks for stopping by!

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  6. My TBR list is getting way to big !! Thanks for popping over to our weekly book blog hop this week xx

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  7. I was surprised to see an article on Boris C. Wow, that was in my time.
    Love to win and read.

    cenya2 at hotmail dot com

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  8. Hello Marjorie! His monster movies were before my time, but I still love him!

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  9. I really loved him in Comedy of Terrors. But of course his portrayal of Frankenstein's monster is just downright Epic ! Did you know the caved in jaw on one side of the monster was actualy his own idea ? He just took his false teeth out. Sometimes simple things can become really cool. :-)

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    1. thephantasm2000@hotmail.com

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  10. Hey Kurt! How he got the caved in jaw is a piece of Boris trivia I didn't know! Thanks for telling us!

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  11. Interesting article on Boris, thanks for sharing those facts. Also the new book from Jolie du Pré sounds like a page turner.

    fencingromein at hotmail dot com

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  12. Thank you, Shannon, and thanks for visiting!

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  13. Hello!

    stopping by from the blog hop :) your newest follower!! hope to hear from you soon!

    xoxo - kylie
    www.kandcamera.com

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  14. Mr. Karloff was a favorite of mine, too. I am olden....and I saw many, MANY of the scary movies of the 40's. Scary movies are still a favorite of mine. :)
    I am a new follower and would love for you to come over sometime.
    xo bj

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  15. Thank you for a most insightful post about a remarkable actor, and also synopsis of book one of the M series; that sounds truly origonal.
    I would be honored if you could put my name forwards for the amazon giftcard giveaway, thank you so much. x

    Email: lfountain1(at)hotmail(dot)co(dot)uk

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  16. Thanks for coming~MaryAnn
    maryannkoopmann@charter.net

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  17. Thanks for the post and the chance. :)

    erin.ringwald at gmail

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  18. Hello bj, Lucinda, MaryAnn and Erin!! Thanks for stopping by!!

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  19. My favorite of Boris Karloff's movies is The Mummy although I like all of them. Loved his voice.
    What great cover on Litria.
    Thank for the chance to win.
    Leona
    mnleona@aol.com

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  20. Hey Leona! Yes, I loved The Mummy! Thanks for stopping by!

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  21. that book sounds great! - regnod(at)yahoo(d0t)com

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  22. New Follower. I love the cover of Litria!

    Sydney @ Starry Storm

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  23. I'm here from Flashback Friday, but I guess you're not playing today or did I miss the picture somewhere?

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  24. Thank you Sydney, Christina and Xmasdolly for stopping by!

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  25. Alicia stopping by. Thank you!

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  26. The opening scene of The Mummy contains one of the most chilling moments in early horror cinema. After having inadvertently resurrected the Mummy, which we see slowly opening its eyes as the scroll’s contents is recited, a young archaeologist sets about studying the scrolls he’s just read from. The camera lingers on him as he reads – everything is quiet. Too quiet. Suddenly, almost leisurely, matter of factly, a mummified arm reaches slowly into the shot to pick up the scrolls from the table in front of him. We see Norton react to the 'thing' standing before him - his look of surprise turning to incomprehension then turning to raw terror. Becoming delirious, all he can do is laugh hysterically as the Mummy, which remains largely unseen, shuffles off again - all we see are the trailing bandages behind it as it makes a 'stealthy' retreat. His crazed laughter echoes throughout the night as he loses his mind forever, mindlessly mumbling ‘He went for a little walk! You should have seen his face!’ This moment is so chillingly effective because it is so down-played and subtle.

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  27. Congratulations bj! You won the $5 Amazon gift card!

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  28. Thanks for the opportunity. I enjoyed the write up about Boris Karloff.

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  29. Interesting piece about Boris Korloff. Frankenstein is one of my favorite classics. I will have to add Litria to my list of books to read. Stopping by from That Friday Blog Hop. I hope you have a great weekend.

    Michele @ http://lovejoyjunction.blogspot.com/

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  30. Aww Boris, one of my fav's. What a great post! thank you for sharing your lovely post on the Thursday Favorite Things blog hop. xo

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  31. This post is really different from my usual blog hopping! Frankenstein - you had me at Frankenstein! Pop by of you get a chance!

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  32. Just letting you know that I featured ya! Come grab your button!
    http://passionateandcreativehomemaking.blogspot.com/2012/09/beautiful-thursdays.html

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  33. Thanks for sharing! His movies were before my time but the book sounds interesting.
    huntandride@hotmail.com

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  34. My uncle does an amazing impression of Mr. Karloff.

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  35. How very interesting!

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  36. Thank for sharing, and for the giveaway!

    askandilltell86 at aol.com

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  37. Lover the cover art of the book!

    acartwrightmorell at gmail dot com

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  38. I'm a brand new visitor. This site is cool.

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  39. Litria sounds perfect for the coming Halloween season :)

    I'm a Boris Karloff fan, too. Can't beat his Frankenstein!

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  40. thanks for the giveaway
    gkuroda(at)hawaii.edu

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  41. Thank you very much!
    lnrains7(at)gmail.com

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  42. I really enjoyed this informative post! He was a great Frankenstein!
    Thank You!

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  43. wow love the post. thank you so much

    tuckersaver at hotmail dot com

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  44. Thanks for the giveaway!
    marine.mom42@hotmail.com

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  45. I love "The Grinch Who Stole Christmas." His voice is just perfect! I love his movies too. Definitely some of the best horror around. kristiedonelson(at)gmail(dot)com Thank you.

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  46. OMGosh, this book sounds fantastic! The idea's you come up with for your book's are amazing!
    rjwashington2000@yahoo.com

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  47. this book sounds great
    jenniferwinchester@ymail.com

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  48. hello stopped by the blog. great review

    begesw@yahoo.com

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  49. Thanks for the chance.
    2dogs5catscrew@att.net

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  50. interesting fun facts. Thanks for the giveaway!
    m8usi at yahoo dot com

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  51. Hi. New fan. Thanks for the giveaway. Very interesting topic.
    btjfarnham at yahoo dot com

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  52. Thanks for the giveaway!
    marine.mom42@hotmail.com

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  53. I ABSOLUTELY LOVE TO READ AND NOW IM DYING TO READ LITRIA.

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  54. I really enjoyed reading your blog post! =)

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  55. this book sounds good!
    amandahoffman35 at yahoo dot com

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  56. This book sounds really awesome! I really enjoyed this post! My email is jaysgin6@yahoo.com

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  57. Those are some interesting facts about Karloff.
    zelda007 at rocketmail dot com

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  58. sounds like agreat book. you have piqued my interest.

    trixie420247 at yahoo dot com

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  59. Thanks for the info and the giveaway! jenniferpeaslee at gmail dot com

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  60. I love the voice for the Grinch! He did an excellent job! sarlin12 at hotmail dot com. Thanks for the giveaway!

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  61. What a great site. Thanks for the awesome giveaway as well :)

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  62. The book sounds awesome! I love mystery and creatures all in one book.

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  63. I love reading and movies as well!

    Nancy
    allibrary (at) aol (dot) com

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  64. I didn't know any of that about Karloff! Thanks for hsaring, and for the giveaway. scg00387 at yahoo dot com

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  65. I didn't know that about him helping form the SAG.

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  66. Thank you for sharing about Karloff. I didn't know about him. Thanks also for this wonderful giveaway!
    blessienelson(at)gmail(dot)com

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  67. Thank you for the very interesting information on Mr. Karloff. The Grinch is my absolute favorite and so because of that Mr. Karloff holds a special place in my heart. It was neat to learn these other things about him.
    jenimadison (at) centurytel (dot) net

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  68. Thanks for the information and the contest!

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  69. Hello I didn't know anything about him at all lol very informative!
    Hoping to win the giveaway also !!
    cassandraashleym(At)yahoo(Dot)com

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  70. Zombies Rule!Boris was the King of late night Horror

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  71. Can't wait until my kids are old enough to watch Frankenstein! Thanks for the giveaway!
    Nichole2577 at aol dot com

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  72. I really enjoy reading about Boris Karloff! Thanks for sharing this post!
    Fiona N
    iceyogurt(at)gmail(dot)com

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  73. I will give this book a try. Thanks for the giveaway!
    skibmama23@gmail.com

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  74. Interesting post! Thanks for the chance to win, too!

    Sara
    saraschroeder at hotmail dot com

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  75. Boris Karloff was a cinematic legend, known for his iconic portrayal of classic monsters like Frankenstein's Monster. write for us digital marketing This article beautifully pays tribute to a true icon of the silver screen.

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  76. What I was looking for is this blog. I'll be really helped by this article. I'm grateful that you shared.

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