Lena Rivera
The portrayal of Frankenstein's monster by Boris Karloff in the 1931 film Frankenstein and its sequels, Bride of Frankenstein (1935) and Son of Frankenstein (1939), has become iconic. Karloff's performance as the near-immortal creation of Dr. Frankenstein has been celebrated for its pathos and touching humanity, and it established him as a horror icon. The heavy makeup used to transform Karloff into Frankenstein's monster played a significant role in creating this enduring image. Jack Pierce, the makeup artist, painted Karloff's skin a greyish-green colour, which appeared corpse-like in black-and-white film, distinguishing the monster from the rest of the cast. The colourisation of Frankenstein's monster has since become a part of Hollywood mythology, with the character's skin depicted as green in popular culture, although Mary Shelley's original description in the novel was of yellow, translucent skin.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Skin colour | Greenish-grey |
| Skin tone | Corpse-like |
| Skin tone in black and white film | Ghostly white |
| Skin colour in colour film | Green |
| Weight of costume | Almost 50 pounds |
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What You'll Learn
Jack Pierce's makeup design
Jack Pierce (born Yiannis Pikoulas) was a Hollywood make-up artist, best remembered for creating the iconic makeup worn by Boris Karloff in Frankenstein (1931). Pierce's makeup for Frankenstein is often regarded as one of the greatest monster movie makeups ever created.
Pierce's process for creating the Frankenstein makeup involved building up Boris Karloff's face with cotton, collodion, and gum. Pierce was known for his reluctance to use latex appliances, instead opting to build facial features using the materials mentioned above or nose putty. Green greasepaint was then applied to Karloff's face and hands, designed to make the monster look pale on black-and-white film. The green makeup also made the monster look corpse-like, a feature that was maintained in colour adaptations. Pierce also created drooping eyelids for Karloff, using either mortician's wax or a special putty. The actor's partial dentures were removed to create the Creature's sunken cheeks, and black lipstick was applied to enhance the cadaverous look.
Pierce's makeup for Frankenstein was not without its challenges. The process was gruelling and time-consuming, with Karloff enduring four hours of makeup application each day. Pierce himself was known to be tough to work with, stubborn, and a perfectionist. However, the final product was universally acclaimed and has become the commonly accepted visual representation of Mary Shelley's creation.
In addition to Frankenstein, Pierce also designed makeup for other classic Universal Studios monsters, including The Mummy (1932), The Wolf Man (1941), and their respective sequels.
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The colour of Frankenstein's skin
Pierce's choice to paint Boris Karloff's skin a greyish green was a conscious one, influenced by the limitations of black-and-white film at the time. The green makeup was intended to make the monster look corpse-like on screen, and this interpretation of Frankenstein's monster became entrenched in popular culture. This colourisation was successful, as the monster's skin appeared as ghostly white in the black-and-white film.
The enduring popularity of the green-skinned Frankenstein's monster can be attributed to the success of the 1931 film and Karloff's performance. Despite the heavy makeup, Karloff's acting skills shone through, and he became recognised and in high demand following the film's release. The colour of the monster's skin, though a departure from Shelley's original description, has become an iconic and enduring aspect of the character's visual representation.
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Karloff's casting
Karloff's unique ethnic look, partly due to his East Indian heritage, may have initially limited his career to minor roles portraying characters of various ethnicities. However, his persistence and passion for acting eventually paid off when he caught the attention of director James Whale. Whale offered Karloff the career-defining role of Frankenstein's monster, recognising the interesting possibilities that Karloff's distinctive face presented for the character's makeup and overall portrayal.
Prior to Karloff's casting, Bela Lugosi, who had recently starred in "Dracula", was the first choice for the role. However, Lugosi declined due to his dissatisfaction with the lack of dialogue and the extensive makeup requirements. Karloff, on the other hand, embraced the challenges of the role, including the heavy makeup and cumbersome costume. He spent four hours each day in the makeup chair with Jack Pierce, even removing a dental bridge to enhance the asymmetry of his face.
The decision to paint Karloff's skin a greyish-green tone was a conscious choice by Pierce, playing on the limitations of black-and-white film to distinguish the monster from the rest of the cast. This choice would have a lasting impact on the character's portrayal in popular culture, with Frankenstein's monster often being associated with green skin even in colour adaptations. Karloff's performance as Frankenstein's monster not only launched a successful film franchise but also cemented his own reputation as a talented actor, leading to numerous other film, stage, radio, and television roles.
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The impact of his portrayal
The impact of Boris Karloff's portrayal of Frankenstein's monster in the 1931 horror film Frankenstein was profound and lasting. Karloff's performance established him as a horror icon and he became internationally famous for his sympathetic and chilling portrayal of the monster. The role was his 82nd film, and he went on to reprise it for the sequels Bride of Frankenstein (1935) and Son of Frankenstein (1939).
Karloff's portrayal added a layer of pathos and touching humanity to Frankenstein's creation, evoking an unprecedented level of audience sympathy for the character. His performance was so iconic that even today, the vast majority of people associate the name "Frankenstein" with the Monster, rather than its creator.
Karloff's performance also had a significant impact on his own career. He became synonymous with horror and the macabre, and "Karloff" became a household name in the genre. He was awarded two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for his contributions to film and television, and his likeness was featured on a series of "Classic Monster Movie Stamps" issued by the U.S. Postal Service in 1997.
In addition to its cultural impact, Karloff's portrayal of Frankenstein's monster also had a personal impact on the actor himself. He was outspoken about the long hours he spent in makeup while playing the character, and he often had to endure lengthy sessions in the makeup chair for his various horror roles. Despite the physical demands of the role, Karloff's commitment to his craft and the enduring legacy of his performance as Frankenstein's monster solidified his place in the history of horror cinema.
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The weight of the costume
Karloff's costume weighed almost 50 pounds, and he spent long hours in the makeup chair with Jack Pierce, who was responsible for creating the iconic look of Frankenstein's monster. The makeup artist's decision to paint Karloff's skin a greyish-green colour was a conscious choice to distinguish the monster from the rest of the cast. This colouration gave Karloff's skin a ghostly white appearance on black-and-white film.
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Frequently asked questions
Makeup artist Jack Pierce painted Karloff’s skin a greyish green to distinguish the monster from the rest of the cast. On black-and-white film, the green makeup made Karloff's skin look ghostly white.
Every day, Boris Karloff had to sit in the makeup chair with Jack Pierce for four hours, starting at 4 am.
Although Boris Karloff called the Frankenstein monster "the best friend he ever had", the shoot was gruelling. The heavy makeup, a 50-pound costume, and the physical demands of the role caused him to develop debilitating back issues.
