Blog-o-ween 2022: Boris Karloff

The subject of today's Blog-o-ween entry has got to be the most famous horror icon of them all. If a Mt. Rushmore of Horror was every created, then Boris Karloff's face would have to be included. Not only is Karloff's face instantly recognizable, whether in or out of the Frankenstein Monster's make-up, but Karloff's voice, with its soft yet oddly sinister lisp, is known by adults and children alike thanks to his narration of the Television adaptation of Dr. Seuss's The Grinch Who Stole Christmas. Not only is Karloff the face of classic horror, he is also the voice -- why else would Johnny's (Russell Streiner) impersonation of the venerable actor as he taunted his sister Barbara (Judith O'Dea) in the cemetery in Night of the Living Dead work so well?

Boris Karloff was born William Henry Pratt in Dulwich, Surrey, England (now a part of London) in 1887. In 1909, after leaving King's College London with graduating, he went to Canada where he worked in various fields (sometimes literally as a farm worker) until he began appearing in theatrical performances in 1911. It was at this time that he chose the stage name that would forever follow him in his new career. There are many theories about why he chose the name "Boris Karloff" in particular, but there can be no doubt about why he chose to change his name at all. Karloff was afraid of causing embarrassment to his family with his chosen career. While his brothers were all distinguished members of the British Foreign Service, Karloff felt as though he was the black sheep of the family. It wasn't until many years later, when he returned to England in 1933, that he discovered that his family were very proud of him and considered him a boon to the family, not a bane.

To list all of Karloff's theatrical performances and film, TV, and radio roles would take much more time than we have at present. In fact, to list the movies Karloff made in the twelve years before he became an "overnight" success for Frankenstein would be a feat in itself. Needless to say that Karloff put in years and years of work as a jobbing actor (as well as a ditch digger and construction worker) bfore James Whale saw him in the Univeral Studios commissary eating lunch.

For tonight's first old time radio show, we have an episode of Creeps By Night. In "Final Reckoning," Karloff portrays George Miller, a man released from prison after twenty years who is determined to get his revenge.

Next up is "Cat Wife," an episode of Lights Out. In it, Karloff plays a man who accuses his wife of being a heartless cat (as you do), only to see his words become flesh as she begins a strange and terrible transformation.

Last but not least, we have an episode of Inner Sanctum. Karloff plays a sick man stuck in the hospital. After being dropped off by his son, the man finds himself walking down an long hallway towards a door...a door with his name on it! What will Karloff find behind the door at the end of..."The Corridor of Doom?"