Boris Karloff

English-born actor, real name William Pratt, who emigrated to Canada in 1909.

Karloff is best remembered for his roles in Universal horror films and his portrayal of Frankenstein's monster in Frankenstein (1931), Bride of Frankenstein (1935), and Son of Frankenstein (1939). His popularity following Frankenstein was such that for a brief time he was billed simply as "Karloff" or "Karloff the Uncanny".

Other films include Scarface (1932), The Old Dark House (1932), The Mask of Fu Manchu (1932), The Mummy (1932), The Ghoul (1933), The Raven (1935), Tower of London (1939) and many others.

Karloff’s best-known non-horror role is as the voice of the Grinch in the television animated special of Dr. Seuss’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas! (1966)

In contrast to his screen image, Karloff was known in real life as a very kind gentleman who gave generously, especially to children's charities. Beginning in 1940, Karloff dressed up as Santa Claus every Christmas to hand out presents to physically disabled children in a Baltimore hospital.

This is an extraordinary Karloff collectable - a black and white 8" x 10" photograph of the great actor at an airport in later years, smartly dressed and apparently being attacked by a large black bird. Karloff is totally unfazed and mildly amused. A good friend of mine in Switzerland, Didier Gusset, has suggested that this is a publicity photograph to promote the 1963 remake of "The Raven". I think he is absolutely right.

There's an excellent signature in black ink across a clear area of the image. A tiny piece of the top right corner tip is missing but overall condition is very good.

This photograph comes from the collection of John Street, an avid British fan who maintained a long correspondence with Karloff in the actor's latter years.