5 Boris Karloff Film Recommendations

Every role Karloff undertook with passion and dedication. Many of his roles required the use of stage makeup. The makeup artists of the time had the task of creating monsters that Karloff would embrace and dedicate himself fully to. It is said that the makeup process for his role in The Mummy (1932) would began at 11 a.m., with the makeup artist Jack Pierce applying cotton, collodion and spirit gum to his face; clay to his hair; and wrapping him in linen bandages treated with acid and burnt in an oven, finishing the job at 7 p.m. Karloff finished his scenes at 2 a.m., and another two hours were spent removing the make-up. Karloff found the removal of gum from his face painful, and overall found the day "the most trying ordeal I [had] ever endured".

Karloff acting in films from 1919-1968, on television from 1938-1968, and also performing on stage from 1928-1961. He acted in thirteen episodes of the "Starring Boris Karloff" anthology TV/ radio series in 1949: this show was broadcast as both a TV show and a radio show simultaneously. He hosted many anthology shows including on called Thriller (1960-1962). And let's forget his narration of Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas'' 1966) and his voice work as the Grinch.

Karloff gifted the world with his talents and characters which were always unique and unforgettable. Here are a five Boris Karloff film recommendations to get you acquainted with his work. I highly recommend delving into more of his films when you get the chance. You won't be disappointed. 

Have you seen any of these film recommendations? What Boris Karloff films have you enjoyed?

Frankenstein (1931)

The Man with Nine Lives (1940)

The Haunted Strangler (1958)

Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas (1966)