Boris Karloff talks Frankenstein in a rare 1963 interview

[@EyesOnCinema]

If you appreciate the content on my channel and would like to support me, please visit: www.buymeacoffee.com/eyesoncineW Thanks, EOC

[@linkfan160]

It seems that the actors who played the "monsters" on screen always turned out to be some of the nicest people in existence.

[@randyacuna3248]

Sadly when the horror films were made, most critics felt they were not important and ignorant the talent of the performers. Now they have been proven wrong, the horror films were not given respect that they should have gotten. Overdue respect.

[@briggs179]

That’s irony for you

[@Coodeville]

Same in pro wrestling

[@laustcawz2089]

That seems to be reflected in society.

[@laustcawz2089]

@@randyacuna3248 They are still largely disrespected, as are comedians. It's extremely rare that horror or comedy films get awards such as Oscars, unless they're technical awards for the horror fx. That's why there are other awards that focus on the genius of such films. Unfortunately, this was not taking place back in the '30s. The Oscars had just recently started anyhow.

[@tiffsaver]

Without Boris Karloff, the Frankenstein monster would have been nothing but a lumbering oaf, a cariacature. But who could ever imagine that the horrific creature would be such a kind and gentle soul? Boris is the genius who imbued it with real humanity. RIP.

[@roberthimmelman3816]

He shows great insight into the character of the monster and the appeal of the story and even greater modesty in giving credit for the success of “Frankenstein” to everyone but himself.

[@billmitchell3329]

Well said, Mr. Karloff was one of the early Hollywood greats! His performance as the creature was remarkable. The expressions he gave to the monster were inimitable.

[@tiffsaver]

@@billmitchell3329 My absolute favorite screen moment with Karloff was when he sat down at the dinner table with the blind man. INCREDIBLE. As you know, Bela Legosi was their first choice for the role, but he turned it down because the monster had no dialogue. Boris was spotted accidentally at the Universal studio commissary having lunch!

[@tiffsaver]

@@billmitchell3329 What makes "Frankenstein" so memorable is just how well it still stands up today, in spite of our CGI and high tech prosthetics. Jack Pierce did everything with latex and tissue paper, and it still beats everything today.

[@thewomble1509]

@@tiffsaver Karloff hated the creature having lines in "Bride of". He thought it diluted the creatures weirdness and made it too human. Wonder If he ever read the book?

[@MichaelSHartman]

Thank you for allowing me to hear him speak. He strikes me as a kind, gentle, modest man who is the kind of person that improves the world by being in it.

[@joesantamaria5874]

He narrated “The Grinch”.

[@MichaelSHartman]

@@joesantamaria5874 Quite so, and Chuck Jones did the animation.

[@krugerfuchs]

Apparently every year he would bring presents to sick children at Christmas there's a this is your life video you might enjoy

[@MichaelSHartman]

@@krugerfuchs A good pick for the Grinch (ending).

[@bezoticallyyours83]

​​@@joesantamaria5874 I didn't know that? Neat!

[@vintagebrew1057]

No other actor has played the part of "The Monster" with as much understanding as Karloff. He is just so amazing in this role. I was mesmerised as a child and I still watch this film with awe 45 years later.

[@professorpsoop]

Boris Karloff is simply one of the finest actors that ever drew breath. Were it not for the fact that he’s primarily known for “horror” movies, there would be no disputing that with anyone in the world. The same can be said of Peter Cushing.

[@robjohnson212]

One of the Greatest Voices in Cinema

[@brötzmannsax]

One of my favorite scenes ever with Karloff playing in the monster was in the Bride of Frankenstein, when he was roaming around and heard the violin and found the blind hermit. He invited him in and became friends, sharing food and cigars. Also, when he finally meets the Bride (Elsa Lanchester) and says "friend" ? she scowls at him and his face quivers in disappointment, great actor.

[@thewomble1509]

Have you read the book? If not , please do. It shows the "monster" in a completely different light to the films. Large parts of the book are actually first person narrative by the creature himself.

[@bluenetmarketing]

He was a delightful man with a great sense of humor and immense talent.

[@julianhermanubis6800]

In this lighting, Boris's Anglo-Indian heritage becomes obvious. He had both an interesting family history and an interesting life himself. His aunt was none other than Anna Loenowens, whose real-life adventures in Thailand (then Siam) became the inspiration for "The King and I."

[@cecilyerker]

I wonder if he was ever in a production of The King and I

[@buffalopatriot]

What a marvelous gentleman. What he did in those three Frankenstein roles was nothing short of astounding.

[@kevinmcgiffin10]

OMG THANK YOU FOR POSTING THIS ! Karloff us my fave monster actor .That scene when he turns around after coming through the door is PRICELESS. 👍🌹

[@larry45044]

1st time i ever seen him as himself! im 63 hes got great narrator voice too

[@vincentfalsaperla]

he did the monster mash

[@judith_thordarson]

@@vincentfalsaperla No, that was Bobby "Boris" Pickett

[@vincentfalsaperla]

@@judith_thordarson no we are both right ,yes bobby did also but boris was authentic...its the one i like best....you can check it out on you tube

[@pacnwcomre1]

If "The Monster Mash" didn't get 'em Michael Jackson's "Thriller" surely did.

[@theaussiebackflipboy]

The joy of these kinds of videos is that history has been preserved and is handed out freely to those who are interested.

[@willardbennett8255]

He will always be my favorite Frankenstein monster. No other actor could have portrayed the monster's feelings and movements like Boris Karoff.

[@normanacree1635]

I think Glenn Strange was pretty good, too. Even in a 'comedy' movie (A and C meet Frankenstein).

[@crissrudd4554]

Great actor and a fine gentleman. Truly gifted and humble. Frankenstein's Monster is one of the greatest performances in movie history and it was a result of fine acting from Karloff and an iconic makeup from Jack Pierce. :)

[@irened.]

Gentleman? LOL! Boris Karloff was a FAKE! Stop by my twitter @ireneboroff to find out proof about saint Boris' secret life from gay affairs to his "love" of little children including how he slept with producers to get to the top & get Bela Lugosi fired.

[@Trev359]

@@irened. How many times did you cut and paste the same comments. YOU ARE SAD AND PATHETIC IMO

[@pacnwcomre1]

​@@irened. What a crock of shit. Give the man his due and credit for a landmark film. Whether he was a pedophile or got Lugosi fired is inconsequential as to the movie and its impact on American life. "Psycho" may have had the same impact on society 30 years later and movie goers were just as freaked out by "Frankenstein" in that time frame. "Godzilla" became a corollary to "King Kong." In "Frankenstein" the scene where the monster is with the little girl by the lake was classic. Evil versus innocence with death coming on the edge of our seats.

[@ronaldculver6021]

"the monster has become my best friend " I love that line! How many actors can say that about a character they have played. My son got me the Red Skelton show DVD of color episodes. One show on there has Boris Karloff and Vincent Price just dancing, singing, doing sketches. It looks like they are having the time of their lives on this show. I watch it whenever I need a smile.

[@jayrosen6663]

S distinguished gentleman, who once lived in the Dakota building near Central Park@!

[@seaness267]

People always ask the question: If there was one person throughout history that you would love to just sit down and have a coffee with for an hour and chat who would it be. Well for me Boris ranks up there a true legend for classic horror movie fans!

[@irened.]

Well you're in for the shock of your life then! Your denial runs deep! Boris Karloff was a FAKE! Stop by my twitter @ireneboroff to find out proof about saint Boris' secret life from gay affairs to his "love" of little children including how he slept with producers to get to the top & get Bela Lugosi fired.

[@Trev359]

@@irened. FUCK OFF

[@Cincinnatus1869]

@@irened. you gag on mule penis

[@larrycork49]

He was terrific in "The Body Snatcher"

[@aarongranda7825]

The real monsters are the other people. What an elegant man.

[@rollotomassi7437]

Karloff was an elegant gentleman and terrific actor.

[@docmalthus]

Boris Karloff....a true English gentleman!

[@tarheelblue9245]

Superb talent!

[@dcarman686]

I loved Frankenstein as a kid. He scared the hell out me. I was 8 years old when I saw this classic

[@bubbaschwartz]

I would have loved to speak with him may he Rest In Peace.

[@GizmoRob176]

What a intelligent and gracious person Boris Karloff was. The only actor in history thankful for being typecast unlike so many other whiny self centered others in the industry.

[@nebularain3338]

Being typecast is horrendous, so unless you have actual experience of acting at pro-level, the you should watch your mouth. You can't explore, create, or innovate with your craft when typecast, as you're always asked to do the same thing over and over again. That's fine under certain circumstances - it's called character acting, but don't dare call anyone whiny just because the movie system treats them like shit and restricts them. It's completely disrespectful to the art of acting.

[@Michael-bl4no]

Boris Karloff....class act. 👍🏻😎

[@fliegeroh]

Karloff is explaining that "Frankenstein" is an "archetype", a "foundation story" for humanity that keeps on appearing generation after generation with different forms and characters but always with the same basic theme that resonates with all human beings. It's not a coincidence that Mary Shelly subtitled her book: "The Modern Prometheus."

[@thewomble1509]

Correct. It shares a lot with Milton's Paradise Lost. A being lost, cut off, lonely and desperate to be reconciled with his maker in order to find inner peace. It's essentially the story of mankind as a whole framed in Gothic horror.

[@scottpreston5074]

Also apreciation for Mary Shelly, who created the characters out of a dream. She was a genius and the writer of the first science fiction story. ❤

[@maudefreeman8780]

You are correct. She had a dream once that her dead child came back to life. At the same time, she saw an experiment in a lab. They put electrodes and electricity to a dead body and the bodies hand moved. As she put 2 and 2 together, she wrote a story. Hence, Frankenstein was born. No pun...

[@FirefighterKWann]

WOW what an intresting, and fantastic interview. Thank you so much for sharing this.

[@duradim1]

Boris Karloff was to Frankenstein what Johnny Weissmuller was to Tarzan, the best fit for an actor and the characters they played. They did such a great job playing the part that everyone else were doomed to fail trying.

[@brianpress1392]

Boris Karloff was the Best At his Impression of The Frankenstein monster And The Mummy, in my opinion 👍 Boris Karloff R.I.P. 🙏🌹

[@georgeorwell4534]

No matter his accolades, an underappreciated actor. To pull off the emotion as the monster without using your voice or even expression.... Btw, "How The Grinch Stole Christmas" would not be the same without his immortal narration.

[@mattdeans9873]

I should love to have known Boris Karloff.

[@CatherineBirch-m5r]

I watched a documentary about Boris Karloff a few days ago, and was surprised to learn that he was Anglo Indian.

[@jimmyoconnell6167]

One of our great actors of the time

[@jmen4ever257]

I well recall watching the news back in February 1969, announcing Karloff's passing. Check out the famous monsters of filmland mags that soon came out. He was the king of monster movies, the Elvis of horror. Still is.

[@8catmom]

One of the greatest actors of the twentieth century

[@Gablesman888]

When I was a young kid, this smiling nice actor gentleman regularly scared the crappola out of me. It was only as I grew older that I realized how much real acting went in to the role of the Frankenstein monster.

[@veeseee128]

William Henry Pratt

[@clairwaucaush874]

I dont think ANY other actor had the star power of Boris Karloff. He got top billing all the way up to his death. Often they used just his last name on the movie posters. His appearance sold the tickets to the movies. I really can't think of another actor with that staying power.

[@lanaodierna6670]

I had no idea he was such a sweet and nice looking man

[@nowvoyagerNE]

that interviewer is juvenile in his questioning, but Mr. Karloff was able to rise above the interviewer's level by giving such well thought out, insightful answers.

[@dr797-w2b]

Great actor. The Body Snatcher, The Tower of London, just to name two others; many great performances in addition to Frankenstein. One of the greats.

[@coolmonkeymc8268]

I always wondered if he read up on autism for his role.He really nailed the the part when you consider the storyline.

[@ivandrago3621]

What a charming character

[@lv2465]

Boris Karloffs monster is still the original OG. I must get Frankenstein meets the Wolfman.

[@thewomble1509]

Karloff had packed his giant boots away after "Son Of". Bela Lugosi played the monster in "Meets the Wolf Man" and the film is a bit of a car crash but worth a watch.

[@francoiselesage188]

Marvelous Actor......

[@bengtwahlstedt1021]

Boris Karloff ( William Pratt) english actor. 1887 - 1969

[@davidmerlin6787]

Ahead of his time 100 years

[@DonovanWert]

Awesome 😎

[@pepelemoko01]

His aunt was the real "Anna" in "The King and I.her stories inspired the stage play and films.The "King and I" is still banned today in Thailand.

[@mekonta]

I've always thought that one-time Doctor Who actor, Jon Pertwee had a similar voice to Mr Karloff's.

[@rmb9726]

RIP Boris

[@kevinmcgiffin10]

I got hooked in classic monster films back in the mid 60s and Karloff was the best and still us .Lugosi was the only Dracula as Karliff was and is the only Frankenstein .👍✌❤

[@williamhurt8512]

check out "thriller", best classic horror anthology series ever!

[@skeltonknaggs1600]

A great performance, for a great movie.. I thought he was much more menacing and scary in "The Bride of Frankenstein"

[@steveallred1330]

I heard they said he was a very nice man to be around

[@dannymcrooster4089]

He could have been my famous grandpa ...

[@budmangt2]

He did the monster mash!

[@ruiseartalcorn]

Great stuff! :)

[@GrizzlyAdams94]

Kind of interesting that a man with such a great voice never spoke in his break out role

[@tobiegarrett8968]

He's my great great great uncle not kidding I just figured out I am part British

[@sr0242]

how old was Boris Karloff when he played Frankenstein?

[@ruthdijkstra5885]

SR 0 In the first film he was 44 years old

[@h.calvert7443]

SR 0 Born 23 November 1887.

[@normanacree1635]

Karloff and Lugosi both struggled just to feed themselves until well past the age where most actors were washed up.

[@rman52]

He sounds like Bobby Pickett.

[@WinkLinkletter]

Great video, but from the thumb pic's style I thought at first it was another Soft White Underbelly skid row interview series participant!

[@BeamerTheFox]

god bless partner, god bless..

[@tonyfromconey2164]

A gracious, humble and classy man: a rarity in Hollywood. I loved his work, especially in the Frankenstein films.

[@tiffsaver]

+Tony From Coney Hi TFC. My best friend still LOVES to go to Coney Island. I remember meeting Dean Martin in his final days. I would hang out at his favorite bar on the Sunset Strip. It was right after his son, Dino Jr. died in that terrible jet fighter crash. He looked so sad, just sitting there getting drunk. I think Dino's death took away his reason for living. These were two very sweet men. RIP.

[@davidhuber2679]

Boris was the man,one or a kind. I really liked him.

[@tabiclemmons93]

tiffsaver you met Dean Martin? I love Dino. Can you and I be friends on Facebook?

[@irened.]

Classy? BAHAHAHA!! Boris Karloff was a FAKE! Stop by my twitter @ireneboroff to find out proof about saint Boris' secret life from gay affairs to his "love" of little children including how he slept with producers to get to the top & get Bela Lugosi fired.

[@pirates12343]

will you shut up?....every comment you make is just you plugging your damn blog.....and that's all you do on there....get some new material.....who cares what the guy did?.....obviously you because you're so obsessed with it.....and guess what? it's Hollywood....pretty much everyone who works there has skeletons in their closet

[@rickw1100]

One of greatest character actors. That he never received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Oscars is to the everlasting shame of Hollywood. He created an iconic film character that is still a part of the lexicon.

[@Partnerfrance]

rickw1100 That's a really good point. If there was a way to do so posthumously, he would be the first in the line. I think Hollywood thinks of him asa B" film actor and that is just wrong.

[@degsbabe]

So right. And he never shied away from controversial roles. i.e peter bogdanovich's film 'Targets' . Probably the first 'gun control' advocacy film ever.

[@Guitcad1]

Yeah, but remember The Academy of Motion Pictures was the same organization that saw fit to give a Best Actor to John Wayne.

[@willardbennett8255]

I strongly agree.

[@MTknitter22]

Then as now, one HAS to play the politics in Hollywood to get the big awards. The ones you see now who get awarded CONSTANTLY “play it” and many good good ones like the late Kirk Douglas refused to “play it” did not get the awards they should have -

[@SirReal1958]

Boris Karloff's two characters that will be eternal in pop culture : ( 1 ) The Frankenstein monster and ( 2 ) The Grinch !

[@markheller1382]

and the mummy!

[@scottbryant2235]

I didn't know the Grinch until recent years, but I always reckognized the voice.

[@wrongfullyaccused7139]

Dennis; You should watch Karloff in The Tower of London. Outstanding movie

[@jackhana7374]

I liked his work on the old Thriller tv series.

[@danielmartens156]

😂😂👍

[@kennykistler6735]

Karloff's portrayal of the creature is one of the very best acting performances I have ever seen. He essentially played an irrational animal, not a hateful villain.

[@hochim]

Boris Karloff never received the awards that this fine actor deserved. He was a kind man who preferred to work in his garden.

[@muchmorecoffee]

Well said!

[@brianwells4507]

@@muchmorecoffee was it Boris Karloff or the director that got a phone call at 3am when Frankenstein was released, I can't recall? But the caller said he'd seen the movie and cannot sleep, and be damned if he was going to let him sleep either! You guy's are 100% correct, what a terrific person and great actor.

[@johnrobinsoniii4028]

BORIS KARLOFF: “The Consummate Monster and the Ultimate Grinch”.

[@steveperry1344]

" the original horror show", i stole that from one of the movie posters.

[@markhouse578]

What a lovely talented Gentleman he was. But that Frankenstein 's monster look still scares & creeps me out. What an Iconic look from 3 great films. His Daughter said, he stopped doing the Film series as it didn't want the Film or character to get watered down. I agree, best to leave on top with people wanting more.

[@steveperry1344]

yes, universal pictures really watered the character down, karloff was the original ?.

[@cheswajda9803]

James Wale based his look on the emaciated rotting corpses he saw strewn on the battlefields of WW1.

[@steveperry1344]

@@cheswajda9803 that's interesting. i can remember seeing him for the first time when i was about 5 or 6 yrs. old.when my mom let me stay up for the late show. i have been mesmerized by the character ever since. the introduction at the beginning when everett sloan comes out on stage with a warning of the horror to come still scares me a bit even now, 65 years later.

[@steveperry1344]

i meant edward van sloan not everett sloan, i stand corrected.

[@normanacree1635]

His daughter must have been thinking about how the character of Tarzan went down the tubes after so many movies. The last ones were almost comic in nature.

[@creepshowcrate]

Ha, he never did lose that famous lisp. A delightful gentleman and an absolute legend. What a presence he was, and still is on film. RIP Mr. William Pratt.

[@kyyav1390]

I really don't hear the lisp. Maybe it's just a subtle one?

[@thundertick5666]

He pioneered the malevolent lisp and others took it up afterwards - Emperor Palpatine of the Star Wars films being one famous example.

[@tonidmc]

Great actor, i love his work in the body snatcher as the cabman grey

[@eddietruly8807]

yes... Grey-"that's no way to treat an old friend Toddy"

[@juliewitt7496]

John Grey: Karloff's best film role.

[@scottpreston5074]

A Val Luten production. Val Luten's films are worth studying for their wonderful development of dark and moody atmospheres on low budgets.

[@johngreen3745]

The epitome of a gentleman....A generation lost and unlike fashions, shall never return I'm afraid

[@jeromehorwitz2460]

What a great guy Karloff was.

[@irened.]

Great guy? Yeah sure if you're in deep denial! Boris Karloff was a FAKE! Stop by my twitter @ireneboroff to find out proof about saint Boris' secret life from gay affairs to his "love" of little children including how he slept with producers to get to the top & get Bela Lugosi fired.

[@Cincinnatus1869]

@@irened. yet you spend your time watching videos featuring interviews with him

[@bruceweaver7641]

He was a very gentle man. Everyone who knew him said he was gracious.

[@kool-aidcorncrap7880]

Love Boris Karloff Bela Lugosi and Lon Chaney

[@sheiladavis6523]

Way to go Frankenstein , Dracula & Wolfman the 3 top horror loves 💙of my life 😉 May 28,2020

[@Guitcad1]

"All the Whos down in Whoville liked Christmas a lot. ..."

[@lizmagu3189]

Wow, how cool to watch this. What a lovely person he seemed to be.

[@lazyhazeldaisy9596]

He was such a lovely gentleman, God Bless Sir.❤️

[@summerland6397]

I think the original movie with Boris Karloff was the best. As a boy I was fascinated and empathized with the monster. It was everything Boris said here.

[@leftcoaster67]

Wonderful man.

[@johnshilljejr3799]

What seems to be missing from Hollywood today that was present during the time Mr Karloff worked class and respect

[@Blitz98K]

William Henry Pratt...Boris Karloff, great actor,and the best frankenstein.

[@billfleck5251]

A famously nice man with a great voice.

[@RSTI191]

Greatest horror movie ever made. Brilliant all around

[@nunyabizness6595]

Frankenstein. The Mummy. How the Grinch stole Christmas. All will withstand the test of time and live on forever.

[@brig.4398]

Interesting story about the little girl in Frankenstein she wasn't at all scared when she met him with make-up on. I guess under all that make-up the little girl could sense there was a gentle man.

[@normanacree1635]

He probably knew the potential was there and was very intentional in making her feel comfortable around him. I had nightmares about him just watching him on tv when I was a kid.

[@Oldag75]

"The monster turned out to be the best friend I ever had..." Sylvester Stallone said something very similar about Rocky Balboa.

[@normanacree1635]

Karloff only used the word 'Frankenstein' when identifying the name of the movie. It was always 'the monster'.

[@JoshMaxPower]

Fritz, Dr. Waldman, little Maria and the townspeople with the torches all voted this interview down.

[@BROADTRAIN1979]

Boris karloff is a king, a master, a gentleman and a man of great talent .. and to think he lived in BushHill park Enfield near where i live!!

[@johnrodriguez5133]

He was 76 here looked great and very lucid 😮

[@animateangus]

If I could meet any person in history, it’d be Boris.

[@larrydest1466]

Check out the black room ,and the body snatcher .two of his best.

[@artyanthony1682]

Karloff was amazing in the stage play "arsenic and old lace".

[@ericdreizen1463]

1931 "Frankenstein" set the standard for every horror film that has been made after. It will always be the greatest & most influential horror movie of all time, w/ Bela Lugosi's "Dracula" the second-greatest. And it was all because of Karloff's genius.

[@keithf_]

I agree with your assessment of Universal's 'Frankenstein'. I've always regarded 'Frankenstein' to be superior to its sequel 'Bride of Frankenstein'.

[@ericdreizen1463]

@@keithf_ When Karloff came to LA from England in the late '20s, he drove a truck to make a living while trying to break in to the acting business. It should be fiction, really..I've been on the Universal lot, & every time I've driven by on Lankershim Blvd, I think of all the history made there! And the apartment building at the far end of Hollywood Blvd where Bela Lugosi spent his final years still stands, I believe.

[@keithf_]

Eric Dreizen Interesting, thanks.