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Boris Karloff: A Gentleman's Life
Historian Scott Allen Nollen has been studying, writing and lecturing about Boris Karloff since 1976. Educated in film and history at the University of Iowa, he has written and edited more than 40 books on the history of film, literature and music. This authorized biography, first published in 1999, is the second of his three books on Karloff.
356 pages, Paperback
First published July 31, 2005
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October 30, 2023
The author had a self proclaimed obsession with Karloff since childhood. Over the years he managed to interview everyone who had met Karloff either face to face (Karloff’s last wife and his only daughter were huge sources), by letter, by phone or just did massive amounts of research. As an example of his devotion to minutiae, he interviewed Nancy Sinatra by phone and found out that Karloff was a “sweet dear man.” Nancy and Boris had parts in a very forgettable “beach horror film” called The Ghost in the Invisible Bikini. That he took that job shows Karloff’s inclination to accept nearly any part offered, not for need of money but a near mania to keep working. At the time of that particular movie he spent much of his time in a wheelchair and was in constant pain suffering from old back injuries, emphysema, and a heart condition. The book’s subtitle, A Gentleman’s Life, is taken too far.
Of course, no one who picks up this book is going to do so to hear over and over that Karloff was a great gentleman and a dear sweet man. In fact, the book could have done with a lot less of that. As a film and general biography the book is both readable and complete. It also has a very authoritative bibliography, notes and appendix section. I doubt a more complete review of his life and sixty plus year working life in film, stage, recording, television and writing could be done. He had the blessing of Karloff’s daughter and current caretaker of his reputation, Sara Jane Karloff. You might say that could skew Nollen’s assessment of his subject but I don’t really see a problem with that here.
The primary worth of this book is found in the assessment of Karloff’s life and long professional career. He was born in suburban London in 1887 to a family of Anglo-Indian diplomats and professionals. As a young man he left for Canada to go his own way and try to get into acting. He worked alternately in theater and films as well as a variety of laboring jobs until Frankenstein came along in 1931. The monster made his career. Prior to that movie he had been in 81 film parts and was already middle-aged.
Karloff’s professionalism and hard work is obvious. He worked until very near his death in 1969. All of his professional work is covered here. The book is terrific for those interested in all 206 films that he worked in, plus theater, sound recordings, etc. For those who think he was only a portrayer of monsters in heavy makeup this will be very enlightening. His range was quite amazing and I suspect you will be looking for films to view, rent or buy.
Of course, no one who picks up this book is going to do so to hear over and over that Karloff was a great gentleman and a dear sweet man. In fact, the book could have done with a lot less of that. As a film and general biography the book is both readable and complete. It also has a very authoritative bibliography, notes and appendix section. I doubt a more complete review of his life and sixty plus year working life in film, stage, recording, television and writing could be done. He had the blessing of Karloff’s daughter and current caretaker of his reputation, Sara Jane Karloff. You might say that could skew Nollen’s assessment of his subject but I don’t really see a problem with that here.
The primary worth of this book is found in the assessment of Karloff’s life and long professional career. He was born in suburban London in 1887 to a family of Anglo-Indian diplomats and professionals. As a young man he left for Canada to go his own way and try to get into acting. He worked alternately in theater and films as well as a variety of laboring jobs until Frankenstein came along in 1931. The monster made his career. Prior to that movie he had been in 81 film parts and was already middle-aged.
Karloff’s professionalism and hard work is obvious. He worked until very near his death in 1969. All of his professional work is covered here. The book is terrific for those interested in all 206 films that he worked in, plus theater, sound recordings, etc. For those who think he was only a portrayer of monsters in heavy makeup this will be very enlightening. His range was quite amazing and I suspect you will be looking for films to view, rent or buy.
Displaying 1 of 1 review