Boris Karloff Posters on his Birthday

When the calendar hits the 23rd of November it’s time to celebrate.

Meaning it’s time to celebrate the birthday of an actor who is not only one of cinema’s great horror stars but by most accounts one of it’s most gracious gentleman. Boris’ birthday is one I can never forget as I am fortunate enough to share mine with his. That’s pretty cool considering I’ve been a Karloff fan since I was old enough to connect the actor to the monster beneath the Jack Pierce make-up and having no idea as a child that we shared the same date of birth.

To this day I continually go back and rewatch many of his films from the Universal classics to titles that I believe are deserving of more attention like The Black Room or the satire The Comedy of Terrors with all his old pals joining in.

I do have a few of his posters in my collection but sadly none of the early ones. The Haunted Strangler, The Crimson Cult and this 1963 North American release of his 1958 title filmed in England.

Boris and his life long friend…”The Monster.”

The high camp of Fu Manchu. “This serum, distilled from dragon’s blood, my own blood, the organs of different reptiles, and mixed with the magic brew of the sacred seven herbs, will temporarily change you into the living instrument of my will. You will do as I command! “

“He went for a little walk.”

“Leave the dead to their makers.”

Meeting Bela in a pair of 1930’s terrors. “The phone is dead. Do you hear that, Vitus? Even the phone is dead”

Moving into the Mad Doctor phase of Dear Boris’ career.

“Amelia, this riffraff, as you call him, is really the salt of the earth. All he needs is to be iodized. “

Aside from the “Monster”,  I do believe that Gray the coachman is his finest role. If only we could go back and redo the Oscars! “You’ve made a disease of me, eh, Toddy? “

Boris as Dick Tracy? Not likely, must be the other title character he’s playing.

Having fun with the boys and seeing his name in the title of the film. “You’re going to commit suicide if it’s the last thing you do! “

Re-uniting with some old friends for a top notch spook satire.

Teaming with Italy’s Mario Bava proved Boris was still at the top of his game when given the chance.

Working up until the end in this underrated effort from Michael Reeves.

And children the world over will always know the sound of his voice. I take comfort in that and hope you do as well.