Actor Boris Karloff (1887)

The Terror (1963), an American independent horror film, was produced and directed by Roger Corman and stars Boris Karloff and Jack Nicholson. Nicholson portrays a French officer who is seduced by Helene, a shapeshifting devil disguised as a woman. In 1806, André Duvalier, a lost French soldier, is rescued by Helene, who bears a striking resemblance to Ilsa von Leppe, the late wife of Baron von Leppe. As André delves into Helene’s true identity, he discovers the Baron’s darkest secret: after catching his wife ...

The American horror comedy film, Abbott and Costello Meet Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1953), stars the comedy duo of Abbott and Costello, along with Boris Karloff in a co-starring role. While walking home from a pub, newspaper reporter Bruce Adams stumbles upon a murder victim who turns out to be a prominent doctor. The next day, two American policemen named Slim and Tubby are observing London police methods when they are called to break up a brawl at a women’s suffrage rally in Hyde Park. Amidst the chaos, Adams and young suffragette Vicky Edwards get caught up in the ...

The American horror film House of Frankenstein (1944) stars Boris Karloff, directed by Erle C. Kenton. After attempting to replicate Dr. Frankenstein’s experiments, Dr. Gustav Niemann is imprisoned and meets the hunchback Daniel. He convinces him to become his assistant and promises to create a new body for him. During an earthquake, they escape and stumble upon Professor Lampini’s traveling show. Wanting revenge on Burgomaster Hussman, Niemann revives Count Dracula from his corpse in the horror exhibit. The vampire hypnotizes Hussman’s ...

The historical film, Tower of London (1939), was both directed and produced by Rowland V. Lee. Set in the 15th century, it follows Richard Duke of Gloucester as he eliminates those in line for the throne with the help of his executioner Mord. With each kill, he revels in removing a miniature figurine from a dollhouse representing his victims until he is the only one left. Upon the death of his brother King Edward IV, Richard becomes King of England as Richard III and must defeat Henry Tudor to maintain control.

Directed by Rowland V. Lee, Son of Frankenstein (1939) tells the story of Baron Wolf von Frankenstein, the son of infamous scientist Henry Frankenstein. In an attempt to redeem his father’s name, Wolf moves his wife Elsa and young son Peter to their family castle. However, he quickly realizes that this will not be an easy task as the villagers hold a deep resentment towards the Frankenstein family due to past events involving Henry’s Monster. The only person who offers Wolf any friendship is Inspector Krogh, a local police officer with an artificial arm from a childhood encounter with the creature. While ...

The  American horror film, The Raven (1935), directed by Lew Landers and starring Boris Karloff and Béla Lugosi, tells the story of a young dancer named Jean Thatcher who is injured in a car accident. Her father, Judge Thatcher, and fiancé, Dr. Jerry Halden, seek out neurosurgeon Dr. Richard Vollin for assistance. Despite now only conducting research, Vollin is renowned for his skill in performing delicate operations on cranial nerve roots. Initially uninterested in helping due to his insensitivity towards human suffering, ...

Bride of Frankenstein (1935) is an American sci-fi horror sequel to Universal Pictures’ original film, Frankenstein. In a castle during a stormy night, Percy Bysshe Shelley and Lord Byron praise Mary Shelley for her story about the infamous Frankenstein and his creation. Mary reminds them that her purpose in writing the novel was to teach a moral lesson about the dangers of playing God. She reveals that she has more of the story to share. The scene then shifts to the end of Frankenstein, where villagers celebrate as the Monster seemingly perishes in a burning windmill. However, Hans, whose daughter was killed by the creature, wants to see its ...

Based in America, The Black Cat (1934) is a pre-Code horror film directed by Edgar G. Ulmer and featuring renowned actors Boris Karloff and Béla Lugosi. During their honeymoon in Hungary, American mystery writer Peter Alison and his bride Joan are surprised to learn that they will be sharing a train compartment with Dr. Vitus Werdegast, a Hungarian psychiatrist who claims he is visiting an old friend. As the night progresses, the couple discovers that Werdegast left his home 18 years ago to fight in World War I and has not ...

The American pre-Code supernatural horror film, The Mummy (1932), directed by Karl Freund, depicts an archaeological expedition led by Sir Joseph Whemple in 1921. During this expedition, the mummy of Imhotep, an ancient Egyptian high priest, is discovered. Upon inspection by Dr. Muller, it is revealed that the mummy’s viscera were untouched and there were signs of a struggle indicating that Imhotep had been buried alive. Alongside the mummy lies a cursed casket containing the ‘Scroll of Thoth’. Despite Muller’s warning, Ralph Norton opens the casket and reads aloud from the scroll, causing ...

The American pre-Code horror film Frankenstein (1931), directed by James Whale and produced by Carl Laemmle Jr., was adapted from a 1927 play by Peggy Webling which in turn was based on Mary Shelley’s novel Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus. In a Bavarian Alps village, Henry Frankenstein and his hunchback assistant Fritz assemble a human body using parts from both recently buried bodies and executed criminals. In his tower laboratory, Henry’s ...