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Boris Karloff: More Than a Monster
Boris Karloff - A name synonymous with horror.Drawing on detailed research, previously unpublished letters, and interviews with those who knew him this new biography dispels the often repeated myths associated with the star - many perpetuated by Karloff himself - and reveals a wealth of new information about the private and professional life of Boris Karloff.Although forever associated with his breakthrough role of 'the Monster' in Frankenstein (1931) Boris Karloff had a career that spanned almost 50 years and over 150 movies - from the era of the silent picture through to the days of the 'Swinging Sixties'. His roles in Bride of Frankenstein, The Mummy, The Black Cat, and many others - most now considered classics of the genre - ensured his reputation as 'The King of Horror'.Born William Henry Pratt in Camberwell, South London in 1887 Karloff defied family expectations and rejected a life in Government service. Instead he emigrated to Canada were he finally found work as a professional actor. After years touring Western Canada and the United States he arrived in
568 pages, Hardcover
First published March 14, 2011
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
August 7, 2020
A little dry, but otherwise informative read about Karloff's life and career. Despite many marriages and a long career, one gets the sense he was a pleasant guy.
February 10, 2014
While I was reading the first few chapters I actually couldn't decide how this book differed from Gregory Mank's book, other than this one didn't mention Bela Lugosi in the same detail. Then some incidents Gregory Mank's book mentioned seemed to happen differently from the same incident and people in this book? Who to believe! Further along this book did produce more detail, however, some comic turns on the set of certain films didn't get a mention. Once again for lack of detail like Gregory Mank's book the reader has to mutter annoyed phrases under one's breath! Fortunately a few comic turns were mentioned but much was left out. Does one have to turn to another Boris Karloff biographer to see if these incidents are recorded with the details one is yearning to know? Perhaps. Altho' to be devil's advocate one did feel like saying if one more person claims Boris Karloff was a perfect gentleman and good natured one is strongly to believe this man had some dark secrets up his sleeve! It can't be for real. I do think that it is likely he was very nice, friendly and all that good stuff, just not to the excess this book and Gregory Mank's book would lead you to believe. I still wouldn't call him King of Horror, for a man who disliked the term "horror" for the kind of films he did, and I agree, he was one of the masters of macabre, of the theatre fantastique. No better or less than Bela Lugosi and more strongly now from this book that there was no real rivalry, there never was one. If anyone interested in Boris Karloff this is definitely the book for you as it was up to a point with me.
June 8, 2013
This is a truly stunning biography of my favorite actor. The research had to have been exhausting because Karloff himself once indicated that the story of his life would be too boring to make into a movie, and this book belies that statement.
The actor intentionally made himself something of an enigma. I don't believe this was done in an attempt to make himself more interesting, but rather because he felt his personal details should be his alone, even keeping some of them from his family. He often confirmed untrue legends and misconceptions about himself (including the number of times he was married). So, many of us had given up learning more details about the man.
For those wanting to know more, this book is a treasure trove. I thought I'd pretty much read everything there was about the making of FRANKENSTEIN, but there were items here that I never knew. Most crew and fellow cast members through the years adored him, yet his relationships were rocky, especially with his daughter, Sara.
The book digs deeply into the life, Art, and psyche of the actor who delivered such indelible performances. The text is drier as I might expect from the amount of deep research that had to be done, so I would recommend it mainly for fans of the actor and classic cinema. For me, it was a monumental offering.
The actor intentionally made himself something of an enigma. I don't believe this was done in an attempt to make himself more interesting, but rather because he felt his personal details should be his alone, even keeping some of them from his family. He often confirmed untrue legends and misconceptions about himself (including the number of times he was married). So, many of us had given up learning more details about the man.
For those wanting to know more, this book is a treasure trove. I thought I'd pretty much read everything there was about the making of FRANKENSTEIN, but there were items here that I never knew. Most crew and fellow cast members through the years adored him, yet his relationships were rocky, especially with his daughter, Sara.
The book digs deeply into the life, Art, and psyche of the actor who delivered such indelible performances. The text is drier as I might expect from the amount of deep research that had to be done, so I would recommend it mainly for fans of the actor and classic cinema. For me, it was a monumental offering.
February 9, 2015
To some unversed in the lure it may seem like a textbook but to a Horror fan this is an essential and fascinating read. We truly do get a sense of Karloff the man here as well as meticulous research into nearly all of his films.
March 28, 2025
I enjoyed the majority of this book, though I found the author's need to recount how much Boris made with each of the projects he was in to be rather unnecessary. I also though more could have be mentioned of some of the shows he was involved in.
September 11, 2012
For horror aficionados, Boris Karloff needs no introductions; he is the face of movie horror’s ‘golden age’, although admittedly that face is usually smothered in the prosthetics that transformed him into the Monster that made his name.
Frankenstein (1931) propelled the then jobbing film actor onto the world stage of international stardom, but by the time this ‘big break’ landed him on his lead-weighted feet, he already had a solid 20-year career as an actor behind him. Ironically, the role of the Monster was never expected to be anything more than a ‘throwaway’ part, but Karloff’s acting shone through to create an iconic screen presence. A star was born; the product of a long apprenticeship one might say.
Karloff’s career spanned almost 50 years and over 150 movies, ranging from the silent picture era through to the days of the ‘Swinging Sixties’. His roles in ‘Bride of Frankenstein’, ‘The Mummy’, ‘The Black Cat’, and many others – most now considered classics of the genre – ensured his reputation as ‘The King of Horror’.
There was more – much more – to Karloff than this iconic role, however, as Stephen Jacobs’ biography makes clear in compelling detail...
I reviewed this book for work, so you can read the rest of the review over at Cheshire Today.
Frankenstein (1931) propelled the then jobbing film actor onto the world stage of international stardom, but by the time this ‘big break’ landed him on his lead-weighted feet, he already had a solid 20-year career as an actor behind him. Ironically, the role of the Monster was never expected to be anything more than a ‘throwaway’ part, but Karloff’s acting shone through to create an iconic screen presence. A star was born; the product of a long apprenticeship one might say.
Karloff’s career spanned almost 50 years and over 150 movies, ranging from the silent picture era through to the days of the ‘Swinging Sixties’. His roles in ‘Bride of Frankenstein’, ‘The Mummy’, ‘The Black Cat’, and many others – most now considered classics of the genre – ensured his reputation as ‘The King of Horror’.
There was more – much more – to Karloff than this iconic role, however, as Stephen Jacobs’ biography makes clear in compelling detail...
I reviewed this book for work, so you can read the rest of the review over at Cheshire Today.
August 16, 2014
Good information, but the presentation is somewhat repetitive and dry. the inclusion of a number of pictures and promotional images adds much to the volume, but if you are looking for a compelling read about Karloff, this is not that book.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews