18. Boris Karloff

#18
Boris Karloff
(1887-1969)

Another one of the best actors when it comes to the classic horror films. 

Everyone, myself included, should know him best as The Monster in 'Frankenstein' and 'The Bride of Frankenstein' or Imhotep in 'The Mummy'.  He is also a major part of our childhood as he is the narrator and the voice of The Grinch in the animated film 'Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas'.

That was my first film I ever knew about him, but the first film I ever say him perform in was the Danny Kaye film 'The Secret Life of Walter Mitty'.  In that film he says my favorite line with the deadliest look I've ever seen:

"Did you know that an icicle inserted into the brain will melt slowly and leave no trace?"

Boris was definitely one of very few actors who would play a villain whom you'd love to hear how he's going to kill you.  That's a little eerie, I know, but the look he gives you in those amazing eyes and that alluring voice is just to die for, (pardon the pun).

Even though he played such frightening characters in his career, Boris Karloff was in fact a loving gentleman in life.  One of my favorite things to read was during the making of the film 'Frankenstein'.  The crew and make-up artists were preparing to drive everyone to the location to film the scene where The Monster drowns the little girl, Maria, played by little Marilyn Harris.  Everyone was a little worried that young actress would be too scared to work with Boris in full costume and make-up.  However, as everyone was getting in the cars to move to the location, little Marilyn saw Boris getting into his ride before she got into her own.  She ran over to him and asked, "May I ride with you?"  Boris felt so delighted and responded in a typical 'Karloff' way, "Would you, Darling?"  And they rode to the location together.
How sweet is that?