Boris Karloff vs Bela Lugosi

[Lethe]

Who is your favorite?



I think the coolest Karloff ever looked was in the Black Cat. He had a weird, aristocratic, erudite, mad scientist look to him. What was the deal back in the 30's when Karloff got top billing over Lugosi even though Lugosi had twice as many lines?

They are both great though.

[Orrex]

1. Karloff, but not by much

Both are indeed phenomenal. Lugosi deserves special recognition for actually dying during the filming of Plan 9, but Karloff's resume includes How the Grinch Stole Christmas, and you just can't beat that.

[Lethe]

3. hah! yeah i remember that

Karloff narrated The Grinch didn't he?

[Orrex]

4. That's correct! And he provided the Grinch's voice, too!

IMO, the beauty of it is that we have this guy who's done a thousand horror films narrating what must be the #1 or #2 all-time children's classic Christmas Special. He's playing against type, and the effect is brilliant, especially as paired with Thurl Ravenscroft's excellent vocals.

However, here's a Lugosi role you may have missed:
Bela Lugosi Meets a Brooklyn Gorilla

I urge you to rent it before you go to sleep tonight--it may be the best film in the history of cinema.

[Lethe]

5. no luck on the torrents

but i think that may be a factor.

Karloff had a distinguished british accent, whereas Lugosi didn't even learn english until the late 30's. He memorized phoentically his parts.

[MrScorpio]

2. The Black Cat is a classic

One of my faves

[MrSlayer]

6. "Karloff is not worthy to smell my shit!"

"That Limey Cocksucker can rot in Hell for all I care!"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bWsKR2xg6HE

[Drunken Irishman]

7. HIS HEAD IS A FUCKING THUMB!

[bridgit]

8. Karloff