Universal's 1931 'Frankenstein' Power Is All About Boris Karloff's Haunting Eyes
Boris Karloff's Eyes & Acting Elevate Cinema's Original Frankenstein
Sorry, Bette Davis fans, I’ve got bad news. It concerns your film idol’s peepers. Despite her catchy hit, the Kim Carnes pop song from the 80’s, Hollywood horror icon Boris Karloff boasts far more haunting, expressive eyes. Jeepers, the thespian who gives us the chilly creepers has the most powerful peepers.
In 1931, British actor Boris Karloff gave to the world a timeless flesh incarnation to embody author Mary Shelley’s iconic character. Although the excellent make-up and costume added much to his final performance, stares from those powerful eyes fully cement the character into our pop culture forevermore.
If the eyes are the reflective mirror to emotions or even a philosophical connection to our human souls, then Karloff gave real soul to his performance when fleshing out the sci-fi horror creation. Karloff dared us to look deep into his mesmerizing eyes. When we did so, we were touched on every level.
Afterwards, it was difficult to look at any other actor playing the tortured creature.
Monster Mash
In Universal’s Frankenstein, Boris Karloff took on a cinematic role which influenced the rest of his career and helped turn him into an enduring pop culture icon around the world. The intellectual and moral stimulating tale remains a sci-fi horror yarn like no other. Not only do film fans still revere Karloff as Dr. Frankenstein’s pitiful, reanimated creation, but scores of both kids and adults take on his incomparable persona when they dress up as the creature on Halloween.
So, how do you become the most famous undead creature returned unto the unsuspected living world? What are these morphing secrets? We all know about movie magicians - those who craft props, costumes and make-up FX. Is it all on them to give us our fondest movie monsters?
Most of us, if we were to craft a Frankenstein costume, would concentrate on the clothing, face and hair. We’d no doubt pay focused attention on those legendary neck bolts to get them just right. The devices which helped Dr. Frankenstein imbue his dead experiment with life giving lighting energy are important ones to be sure. All these details ensure a relatively authentic recreation of the Frankenstein monster.
But what about those eyes?
The Mummy Confirmation
Bela Lugosi is regarded as cinema’s most recognizable vampire - the infamous Transylvanian royal, Count Dracula. Lon Chaney Jr prowled and howled mournfully at the moon as The Wolfman. We can’t ever forget his stunning transformation into a manbeast.
Any performer counts themselves lucky to rack up one pop culture performance during one long career. Karloff can proudly claim two of history’s most beloved classic monsters - Frankenstein’s monster and also the Mummy. Released in 1932, also from Universal, Karloff plays Imhotep, an ancient Egyptian preserved for centuries. His achievement still stands mightily over Hollywood’s vast accounting of unforgettable characters.
Let’s not forget our fine focus. We’re in this for the eyes, remember. How does the Mummy stack up to Karloff’s Frankenstein in the creepers jeepers peepers department? See for yourself.
Again, here is the great Boris Karloff bedecked in all his Frankenstein monster glory. Those eyes won’t let go of us.
Dr. Frankenstein’s monster, his creature or just plain Frankenstein terrified and fascinated movie going audiences for nine decades now. The character is still a hugely popular costume choice on Halloween. There have been a number of versions of Mary Shelley’s yarn filmed, but none have had the staying power or sheer appeal as the 1931 Universal version starring Boris Karloff. Many creative factors contribute to the power of Karloff’s powerhouse performance, but above them all, you can see the moving, hypnotic energy in the actor’s incredible eyes.