Boris Karloff Collection

Boris Karloff
(1887 – 1969)

(1887 - 1969)

The life of Boris Karloff, born William Henry Pratt, was predetermined for him he was a child. Having seven brothers and one sister, and growing up in a very diplomatic family, little William was thrust into King's College and expected to pursue the family trade. With his school interests dwindling and his love for drama growing, little William dropped out of school and decided to become an actor. After his family gave William the boot, Vancouver had the privilege of hosting little Williams' next few years. During these years, William failed in his endeavors of being a real estate agent and as a farmhand. It was during these times when he reevaluated his reasons for leaving London that he came upon an ad in the newspaper that stated that a theatrical agent, stationed in Seattle, was looking for some actors. That was, as they say, THAT! William packed his bags, and left for the States. When put in front of the agent, William lied about all his theatrical experience in order to get roles. It was during this time that William came up with the stage name Boris Karloff, which was a hybrid of a Russian last name of his mother's

It was during this time, when Karloff was in Los Angeles for a small role that he got, that James Whale gazed upon Karloff while he was eating, and was drawn to Karloff's unusually large and misshapen head--Hollywood had its FRANKENSTEIN! While filming the movie, the studio wanted to keep Karloff's identity secret. Even during the credits, "The Monster" was accredited to "?." When the movie broke out, 44-year old Karloff stole the show from Colin Clive, the movie's lead role. Karloff went on to create more scares throughout the 1930s. When Hollywood's Monster craze died out, Karloff returned to the stage. It was in 1956 that Karloff received a Tony nomination for his role in "The Lark."

Interesting note: Karloff is the great-grandnephew of Anna Leonowens, who is the real life inspiration for the widely read book, and subsequent movie, "Anna and the King."

This collection embodies his many guest appearances and roles in various old time radio programs including Bergen & McCarthy, Creeps by Night, Duffy's Tavern, Inner Sanctum, Information Please, Jack Benny Program, Lights Out, Martin and Lewis, NBC University Theater, Suspense, Theater Guild on the Air and many others.

See also Peter Lorre Collection, Orson Welles, Bela Lugosi, and Vincent Price Collection and the Boogeymen in Comedy: Screamstars Playing for Laughs Collection.