Comments on: Life with Boris

By: Alan K. Rode

Alan K. Rode — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 03:49:39 +0000

A lovely tribute to an iconic actor who, by all accounts, was also a delightful human being. Never heard anything bad about him from anyone.

Joe Pevney told me that Karloff was the epitome of the cultured English gentleman. During the filming of THE STRANGE DOOR,all Boris wanted to discuss between scenes was his passion for gardening!

My Grandmother sat next to him at a dinner party during the late 1930s. She was struck by his ease and politeness in casual conversation, his extremely dark complexion and the fact that Karloff was terribly bow-legged. She couldn’t believe that she was chatting with this charming gent who was… Frankenstein!?

By: Max the drunken severed head

Max the drunken severed head — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 08:35:13 +0000

A lovely tribute and a good read. Thanks for posting this! (And I’m honored by the link.)

As the ever-British Boris would have said, “Full marks!”

By: Al Lowe

Al Lowe — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 18:18:29 +0000

Did you ever see Boris Karloff bowling?
It happened in one movie and any buff can immediately identify the film, its star and its director.
It’s Scarface, of course, with Paul Muni, directed by Howard Hawks.
My point is that Karloff does NOT seem like the type of person who would enjoy bowling. He seemed like a refined English gent and anyone who knew him said in interviews that he was the nicest guy in Hollywood.
The scene is surprising because he actually looks like he was good at it. Maybe he did relish bowling.
I’m alluding to a scene where Paul Muni and his gang come to an alley and watch Karloff, a rival gang leader, getting ready to throw the ball down the lane. The ball drops and so does Karloff, shot by Muni. The camera follows the ball as it speeds down the lane and knocks down all the pins.
Anyway, your article is a nice tribute to a fine man, a good actor and, apparently, a top notch bowler.

By: deslily

deslily — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 11:32:07 +0000

Great post! I always enjoy a tribute to the actors of old. Although it saddens me greatly because although I remember the actor and enjoy his movies, I still know that the youth of today will not hold the fascination they held for us nor will they grow to love their movies as we did. I keep wanting to say, “but you are missing sooooo much!”

I met his daughter not long ago at an autograph show.. nice lady.

By: Medusa

Medusa — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 00:30:13 +0000

Glad to see the mention of his appearance in the “The Girl from U.N.C.L.E.” episode. That show and of course the original “TMfUNCLE” often featured terrific guests stars, many of them former film greats. Karloff also did a really great episode of “The Wild Wild West”. How nice that he did indeed feel the love of all his fans, young and old!

Wonderful post, RHS!

By: Neil

Neil — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 21:25:29 +0000

Great tribute. Thank you for sharing. I join you in celebrating a magnificent career.

By: Patricia

Patricia — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 20:30:17 +0000

Indeed he lives. The man has scared the bejesus out of me and he has broken my heart. The love has been passed down to my daughter and we like nothing better than settling in with some hot chocolate and a good old spooky time with “Uncle Boris”. My autistic son does an “uncanny” impersonation of Karloff, Grinch-wise. Gone? You’ll never convince me!