Karloff, examining his illustrious 60-year career in the entertainment industry and his enduring legacy as one of the icons of 20th century popular culture.Karloff, examining his illustrious 60-year career in the entertainment industry and his enduring legacy as one of the icons of 20th century popular culture.Karloff, examining his illustrious 60-year career in the entertainment industry and his enduring legacy as one of the icons of 20th century popular culture.
Vincent Price
- Dr. Erasmus Craven
- (archive footage)
John Carradine
- Count Dracula
- (archive footage)
Boris Karloff
- Self - Interviewee
- (archive sound)
Peter Lorre
- Dr. Adolphus Bedlo
- (archive footage)
Lon Chaney Jr.
- Larry Talbot
- (archive footage)
Basil Rathbone
- Baron Wolf von Frankenstein
- (archive footage)
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
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Did you know
- GoofsUniversal did not "buy" the rights to "Frankenstein"--the novel had long since been in the public domain.
NB - While the above note is correct, in April 1931 Universal did buy the film production rights to the 1927 PLAY of Frankenstein by Peggy Webling and this was a key source of inspiration for the film released later that year. In the documentary this was originally elaborated on at some length, including Hamilton Deane's connection to the role - but the need to shorten the running time to a workable length led to the removal of most of the sequence - hence a mistake by omission.
- ConnectionsFeatures His Majesty, the American (1919)
Featured review
The best of Boris Karloff in a comprehensive documentary
2021's "Boris Karloff: The Man Behind the Monster" is among the first truly comprehensive documentaries about the actor known for his indelible portrayal of The Monster in James Whale's 1931 "Frankenstein," yet one wonders why it took so long for such a film to be made, just over 50 years after his 1969 passing at age 81 (better this than a biopic!). Kicking things off with The Monster was clearly the right way to start, continuing with "The Old Dark House" and "The Mummy" before delving into his early life, the youngest son in a diplomatic family, whose dark complexion made him stand out in school as well as silent bit parts. A chance encounter with Lon Chaney was most encouraging, but it wasn't until his 1930 performance as convict Galloway in Howard Hawks' "The Criminal Code" that studios and audiences began to really take notice of him. Karloff always believed that any actor worth his salt could have played The Monster and reaped its rewards, proving himself again and again in worthy vehicles like "The Black Cat," "The Invisible Ray," and one for Columbia, "The Black Room" offering him dual roles as twins, one good, the other evil, plus a magical third performance as the bad one impersonating his murdered brother. The 40s were a bonanza for Broadway success in "Arsenic and Old Lace," then a three picture collaboration with RKO producer Val Lewton in "The Body Snatcher," "Isle of the Dead," and "Bedlam." His final decade brought television acclaim as host and occasional star on NBC's THRILLER, the Wurdulak in Mario Bava's "Black Sabbath" (the family that slays together, stays together!), his memorable narration of Dr. Seuss' "The Grich That Stole Christmas," and a final bow as an aging monster actor in Peter Bogdanovich's "Targets." A trip down memory lane for enthusiasts, or a wonderful introduction for the uninitiated, you can't go wrong either way.
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- kevinolzak
- Jan 11, 2024
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By what name was Boris Karloff: The Man Behind the Monster (2021) officially released in Canada in English?
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