Tea with Frankenstein's monster
Even monsters need a break.
Amanda Uren
c. 1931-1935
English actor Boris Karloff (1887 - 1969) relaxes on the set of the film 'Bride of Frankenstein,' in which he reprises his role as Frankenstein's creation.
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He thought he had died and gone to heaven <br>when he could go to a five-day cricket match <br>and have smoked salmon and cucumber sandwiches. - SARA KARLOFF, BORIS' DAUGHTER
Still wearing the monster makeup for his role in 'Bride of Frankenstein,' Boris Karloff sits down for a snack on set.
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His given name was William Henry Pratt, but he went by his stage name, "Boris Karloff" (1887-1969). Karloff found fame in the breakthrough role as Frankenstein's monster in the 1931 film.
As a British man, Karloff and is often pictured with an iconic cup of tea — sometimes in full costume. Makeup stylists heightened and flattened the 44-year-old's head using cotton and gum, then stiffened his eyelids, painted his fingernails black and smeared his skin with green greasepaint, which made him appear deathly white on film. Karloff was 5 feet, 11 inches, so to increase his height, costumers fitted him with platform boots (each boot weighed around 13 pounds and was formed from two boots designed for asphalt spreading). He wore a jacket with sleeves that were too short and two pairs of pants. The cameras filmed his scenes at a low angle to create the illusion of heft. The finished look (complete with the monster's famous metal bolt electrodes and scars) was quickly copyrighted by Universal studios. Karloff never became an American citizen despite living there for several years. He spent the last 10 years of his life in a cottage in rural England. He never changed his name, signing documents "William H. Pratt, a.k.a. Boris Karloff."
Boris Karloff enjoying a cup of tea during wardrobe fitting, in between scenes from the film 'Frankenstein.'
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Karloff during filming of 'Bride Of Frankenstein.'
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Jack P. Pierce applies makeup and combs Karloff's hair for 'Frankenstein.'
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Greek-born American makeup artist Jack P. Pierce applies makeup and combs the hair of British actor Boris Karloff for his role as the monster in 'Frankenstein.'
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Boris Karloff smokes a cigarette while in costume on the set of 'Frankenstein.'
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Boris Karloff (with cigarette) is dirtied by director James Whale in between scenes from 'Frankenstein.'
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Left to right: Actors Boris Karloff, Colin Clive and Ernest Thesiger pause for a cigarette break on the set of 'Bride of Frankenstein,' directed by James Whale. They are still in costume as two mad scientists and a monster.
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Ernest Thesiger, Colin Clive, Boris Karloff and Elsa Lanchester examine some snowy landscapes on the set of 'Bride of Frankenstein,' directed by James Whale.
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Boris Karloff became the epitome of 'Frankenstein' but also played an impressive Captain Hook in 'Peter Pan.'
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