TRIO OF VILLAINS.

Evening Post, Volume CXXVII, Issue 92, 20 April 1939, Page 7

TRIO OF VILLAINS.

"Son of Frankenstein."

Two rren who scared the world out of a yer.r's growth . . . the year being 1931 . . . are found doing their nefarious work once more in Universal's "Son of Frankenstein." which opens tomorvow at the St. James Theatre. Th'.se two are Bela Lugosi and Boris K'^rloff, who gave the public something new to shiver at in "Dracula" and "Frankenstein," produced seven years ago. Now they are featured together in "Son of Frankenstein," appearing in the same picture for the first time since "The Invisible Ra-\" And just in case their ghoulish efforts might not be sufficient they are aided and abetted by Basil Rathbone, perhaps the most consummate villain in cinema history. The spectacle of Karloff and Lugosi carrying the "Frankenstein" and "Dracula" horrors into the second generation is a striking instance to prove that a man cannot escape his destiny. When these men. Lugosi and Karloff, came to America, the last thing they anticipated was that they would achieve world fame as a pair of "horror" stars. Both were accomplished Shakespearean actors. Both entered the show business with a background of European politics. Karloff was trained, like all male members of his family, to enter the British Foreign Office. Lugosi got himself mixed up in a post-war Hungarian revolution, and so he went to America. After a few minor Broadway roles he was assigned the title role in the stage version of Bram Stoker's famed vampire novel "Dracula." The show ran for two years. He gave such a bloodthirsty performance at the Biltmore Theatre, Los Angeles, on tour, that Universal hired him for their screen version. Meanwhile Karloff had been beating his way to Hollywood along a much rougher road as a stock company villain, truck driver, and pick-and-shovel labourer. After Lugosi's sensational success as "Dracula," Universal wanted him to play the monster in "Frankenstein." The Hungarian star regretfully declined because the heavy monster makeup wouk" cramp his style. He recommended his friend Karloff for the part, and another star was made. Boris went on to further eerie triumphs in "The Mummy," "The Ghoul," and "The Bride of Frankenstein." They starred together in "The Raven," "The Black Cat," and "The Invisible Ray." Then Universal abandoned its heroes of hobgoblin films. Lugosi doffed his vampire cloak. Karloff scraped off his facial mudpack. Both thought their demon jobs were over for good. But the monsters were not dead. In September, 1938. film exhibitors just as a wild experiment, began screening the original "Dracula" and "Frankenstein" as a double feature. The public showed unusual interest. Box office records were broken in theatres of al] sizes. As a result of this enthusiastic reception. Universal decided to make "Son of Frankenstein." Lugosi and Karloff were recalled, and Rathbone signed up to join them, as a welcome interlude to his heavy Shakespearean activities.