Boris Karloff played Santa for children in the hospital

Here comes Franken-claus, here comes Franken-claus...

The Everett Collection

Boris Karloff's deep voice and ability to sound serious when using words like "floo-floobers" made him a Christmas legend when 1966's How The Grinch Stole Christmas! premiered on TV. Karloff, fans may already know, not only narrated the TV special but voiced the mean, green antagonist as well.

"I’ve always thought Boris Karloff’s last great role was as the snarling, malevolent voice of the Grinch," opined one critic in The Chicago Reader. It's true that Karloff passed in 1969, a scant three years after Grinch, which led to Captain Hook voice actor Hans Conried replacing him for the Halloween sequel, Halloween is Grinch Night.

However, did you know that Karloff was already a Christmas icon, long before he voiced the Seuss character?

"The Christmas spirit got Boris 'Frankenstein' Karloff," the Associated Press announced in 1940. "At a party for [disabled] children tomorrow, the role of Santa Claus will be played by Karloff."

At that point, Karloff had already gained fame primarily as a horror star with Frankenstein (1931), The Mummy (1932), and Bride of Frankenstein (1935). The year before he played Santa, he donned the monster makeup once more for Son of Frankenstein (1939).

Karloff continued the tradition the following year, leading the Associated Press to declare "In films, he portrays inhuman monsters — blood-thirsty beasts calculated to strike horror in the imaginations of movie-goers. In real life... he donned a Santa Claus costume, complete with a white beard, and distributed Christmas gifts to 200 child patients at Beekman hospital."

"I really love children," Karloff said, as the kids gathered around, "and I'm not half as bad as I'm painted."

Perhaps Karloff loved children so much because they shared an understanding of the tragic nature of his most famous role. He received, according to another article from the Associated Press, an "avalanche" of mail, long after he no longer played the creature. Most of the letters, Karloff said, came from children.

"They seemed to understand that [Frankenstein's monster] was the victim of something beyond his control," Karloff said. "He was bewildered and afraid. It was his great strength and panic that made him dangerous... they (the children) always expressed great compassion."

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45 Comments

tootsieg 3 days ago
Yes!!! Bring back Thriller!!!
Jacki tootsieg 3 days ago
I agree! Several years ago one of the tv stations (was it MeTV?) ran that show. It was very good. That's a great idea; MeTV should run it.
playdoh1958 Jacki 3 days ago
One Step Beyond w/John Newland
playdoh1958 Jacki 3 days ago
Happy Holidays, Seasons Greetings
Jacki playdoh1958 3 days ago
I've heard One Step Beyond is a good show.
Jacki playdoh1958 3 days ago
Happy Holidays and Seasons Greetings to you also! 🎄🎅
tootsieg Jacki 10 hours ago
I do remember Thriller was on in the middle of the night. Could have been on MeTV. Time for a replay.
Runeshaper 4 days ago
That is so sweet. Karloff was a true gem of a man (-:
Jacki 6 days ago
I've always liked watching Boris Karloff. Very nice article that he volunteered to play Santa for the kids. He had a kind heart. ❤️🎅
deltadart 6 days ago
He was wonderful in a I-Spy episode called "Mainly on the Plains" set in Spain he plays a Spanish scientist called Don Ernesto Silvano; it's a spin on the Don Quixote character. My favorite I-Spy episode he should have been given an Emmy for his performance.
Mike 12 months ago
Boris Karloff's GREATEST role?
"Targets", from 1968 - one of the final roles he did.
Boris played "Byron Orlok", a horror-movie star who wanted to quit, but couldn't - until he made a final appearance at a drive-in movie.
What he didn't know - there was a sniper at the drive-in, hiding in wait, to shoot the customers. What happens at the end -
- no spoilers here; here's hoping TCM - or Svengoolie - or SOMEONE - runs "Targets" very soon.
It wasn't exactly Karloff's final film - but it made a great exit.
BrittReid Mike 12 months ago
'TARGETS' was Karloff's last role in an American film.
cperrynaples BrittReid 5 days ago
And it was directed by Peter Bogdonavich, who went on to direct What's Up Doc? & Paper Moon!
BlueRabbit20 12 months ago
I think that was wonderful that Mr. Karloff did that for the children. He and Lon Chaney, Jr are part of my absolute favorite monster actors with Bela (I am going to spell his last name wrong, I know it) Laghosi, right after them.
WGH 12 months ago
William Henry Pratt AKA Boris Karloff
cperrynaples WGH 5 days ago
Fun Fact: He and I both share the same birthday November 23rd! Different years of course...LOL!
PerryMasonGirl 12 months ago
And did you know that one of Boris Karloff's favorite pastimes was growing roses?!
CouchPotato19 12 months ago
He had a prominent lisp from his false teeth.
George58 12 months ago
On a side note, regarding "How The Grinch Stole Christmas", I always wondered why they never gave Thurl Ravenscroft (the voice of Tony The Tiger) a credit at the end for singing the songs in the show. With today's advanced technology & shows being "remastered". Why haven't they added his name at the end credits after the show? A glaring mistake in my book.
cperrynaples George58 5 days ago
Yeah, that's NOT GRREEAAT...LOL!
George58 12 months ago
Boris Karloff was host of a TV series called, "Thriller". I bought the DVD set years ago. Its a great series with spooky stories sort of in the vein of "The Twilight Zone". Why this show is never seen on TV in syndication is a mystery to me? I'm willing to make a bet that a lot of people never even heard of the series.
FrankensteinLover George58 12 months ago
Yesss, the Thriller was wonderful episode after episode. Boris was amazing beyond words.
Art1957 George58 12 months ago
It's so weird that you mentioned Thriller, Earlier today I watched a really good one on YouTube called 'Yours Truly, Jack the Ripper' (Thriller Season1 Episode28) It was great!
WGH George58 12 months ago
It was on MeTV Sunday nights at 3:00 a.m. eastern for a long time. But there aren't that many episodes. It'll probably be in the rotation again soon
George58 WGH 12 months ago
Thanks. I didn't know that. I have the full 14 DVD set. There are a total of 67 episodes. I would consider that enough to show it. Considering there are shows with less episodes that get shown. For instance the classic Honeymooners episodes are only 39 episodes.
Wiseguy70005 George58 3 days ago
I remember it being in syndication in my area back around 1980. Don't know if it's still available. Most series like that would be shown on networks like MeTV today rather than syndication which is mostly new series like talk shows and a few recent popular sitcoms.
FrankensteinLover 12 months ago
I loveeeee Boris so much, don't let my name give it away. He was such a good Actor and have heard even a better person.
I agree! Plus he had a 400 pound pet pig named Violet! How loveable is that?
He was great in so many ways, his Daughter Sara is adorable as well and a treasure to meet in Person. Just wish Boris had an actual Grave like Bela does where I could thank him for making my childhood better.
Rick 12 months ago
It must have been terrifying to be one of the children with him as Santa!

No disrespect, I know he was kind, and I get that children can relate to a monster who gets in trouble for breaking a rule he didn't understand, but I'm picturing an 8 foot Santa with a voice so low you can feel it in the furniture! Santa is scary in person already!
Runeshaper 12 months ago
Boris Karloff was a WONDERFUL man and a FANTASTIC actor! (-:
Bapa1 12 months ago
Hopefully he didn't throw any kids into a lake. In all seriousness, he seemed like a pretty good guy. And speaking as someone who has played a Santa, it's not easy.
JHP 12 months ago
off topic

BRING BACK THRILLER!
RicardoShillyShally JHP 12 months ago
I've always hated the Grinch. He was mean to his dog. And the story wasn't Christmassy. Bring back "A Charlie Brown Christmas".
It always upset me that he was mean to Max. I love A Charlie Brown Christmas! Wish it was still on regular tv.
Deleted 12 months ago
This comment has been removed.
MrsPhilHarris 12 months ago
I just listened to it. I think I remember hearing it as a kid.
justjeff 12 months ago
Boris Karloff (William Henry Pratt) was the *voice* of the Grinch, but the singing voice belonged to Thurl Ravenscroft - an actor and singer with close ties to Disney AND who was the long-time voice of Tony the Tiger for Kellogg's Sugar Frosted Flakes. He also sang with a group called The Mellomen...

If you want a quick sample of Ravenscroft's pop singing - he's the bass voice asking the questions in Rosemary Clooney's "This Old House" [the flip side of the record was another hit - "Hey There", from "The Pajama Game"]...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6mOOHhRh09s

Here's a picture of the handsome Mr. Pratt at the age of twenty-six in 1913...
BrittReid 12 months ago
Boris was great in all his work.
cperrynaples BrittReid 12 months ago
Well according to Bela Lugosi, Karloff wasn't good enough to smell his...well, go watch the movie!
I've always wondered about all the talk of the two, I've heard the media made stuff up between the two to sell there BS, but have also heard Bela was jealous of Boris and had a problem with him. Both there Kids Sarah Karloff and Bela Lugosi Jr said all that negative talk was made up by the media.
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