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Boris Karloff: The Man Behind The Monster

Documentary Screening with Q&A

Join us for a documentary screening followed by an appearance with Sara Karloff, Boris Karloff's daughter.

“Boris Karloff: The Man Behind The Monster” is a collaboration between documentary filmmaker Thomas Hamilton and horror historian Ron MacCloskey. Released in theaters on September 17, 2021 and coinciding with the 90th anniversary of 1931's “Frankenstein," the film re-examines Karloff’s career and legacy from a contemporary perspective and reveals previously unknown details of his life through rarely seen photos and film footage. Over 50 entertainment luminaries were interviewed, including Peter Bogdanovich, John Landis, Roger Corman, Lee Grant, Guillermo del Toro, Leonard Maltin, Christopher Plummer, and Stefanie Powers.

"Man Behind The Monster" received awards, acclaim, and accolades from fans, critics, and columnists coast to coast. NY Observer’s Rex Reed called the film “terrific” and “mesmerizing,” the San Francisco Chronicle placed it first on its 2021 “Halloween Films Worth Seeing” list, and it holds a 92% “Fresh” rating on Rotten
Tomatoes.com. On April 28, 2022, the film won the coveted Rondo Hatton Award for “Best Documentary.”

No other name is as synonymous with screen terror as Boris Karloff (www.karloff.com). Finding fame with “Frankenstein” this versatile and enduring performer continued making his mark in cinema classics and later headlined on Broadway, radio, and TV when Hollywood tired of monsters. Karloff’s career spanned 50 years
cementing his legacy as a horror film icon (“Targets,” “The Terror”), Tony-nominated stage star (“Peter Pan,” “Arsenic & Old Lace”), and holiday TV favorite (“Mad Monster Party,” “How The Grinch Stole Christmas”).

Montclair-based horror film aficionado and media and communications strategist Ilmar Vanderer served as a consultant in producing and promoting this critically acclaimed and award-winning documentary feature film. A popular celebrity convention guest and prolific media personality, Sara Karloff has delighted audiences for
decades with personal appearances and speaking engagements, commenting on the history of horror movies, offering insight into Hollywood's Golden Age of filmmaking, and paying tribute to her father's lasting legacy.

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