Despite the terrifying monstrosity he played on screen, Boris Karloff was incredibly kind behind the scenes. Best known for his portrayal of Frankenstein’s monster in films like Frankenstein (1931) and Bride of Frankenstein (1935).

Donnie Dunagan, who starred alongside Karloff in the 1939 film Son of Frankenstein, had nothing but kind things to say about his co-stars.

“I met him for the first time in the cafeteria at the studio,” Dunagan said, according to Universal Horrors: The Studio's Classic Films, 1931-1946 by Tom Weaver, Michael Brunas, and John Brunas.

“He was a broad-shouldered fellow in civilian attire, and very, very pleasant...Either the first or second time that I had time with Mr. Karloff, he gave me an ice cream cone...” Of course, these pleasantries left Dunagan ill-prepared to see his co-star in makeup for the first time.

“When I first saw him [Karloff] in his Monster makeup, he laughed at me,” said Dunagan.

Despite the initial shock of seeing Karloff as the terrifying Creature, the two actors got along very well together. During moments between shooting, the two frequently played games together.

“I had a ball!” said Dunagan, who called Karloff “a humanist.” Boris Karloff was a wonderful man...a real humanist...He taught me how to play checkers on the set...About three or four games over a couple-day period, between scenes and rehearsals, [and] we started betting quarters...”

Despite his talent for playing a fearsome foe, Karloff proved time and time again that he was a wonderful pal to have around on set.