We were extremely honored to have Sara Karloff, daughter of Boris Karloff, as our special guest on October 18, 2018, at the Pickwick Theatre. Over 500 patrons (521) attended our screenings of Bride of Frankenstein (1935). Sara enjoyed her stay in Park Ridge, meeting with many of her father’s fans. She signed photos and met with patrons in the lobby prior to being interviewed. Besides the film career of Boris Karloff, we talked about his stage career, his contributions to the Screen Actors Guild, and the side most movie fans never saw: the real Boris Karloff. Sara brought with her some videos including interviews and rare home movies. We also did a Q&A between her and the audience followed by an introduction of Bride of Frankenstein.
We were running a little late– the film didn’t start till well after 8 PM– so we did not get a chance to share with Sara a message from actor Donnie Dunagan. Donnie, who was a guest of ours in 2014, was kind enough to send us some memories of Boris Karloff to share with Sara. (We presented her with Donnie’s letter afterward, but we will post his comments below.)
We would like to thank Sara for her time and generosity. We were thrilled to hear she would like to be back! Maybe next time, Bela Lugosi, Jr. could join her?
I would like to thank all the fans who came out to make this event a great success. There were so many individuals and groups that attended: The Bacon Grabbers, the Frankenstein “Flatheads,” the James Bond IFF members, the Jay Warren Fan Club (even though Jay could not be with us), and so on. Your enthusiasm was contagious. I would also like to thank Matt Haider for filling in as our house organist, Movie Hostess Allison, who returned after a one-year absence, Shannon (our ticket taker and my bedrock), and Allison (the younger), who assisted Sara the entire night. (No, she is not really Sara Karloff’s granddaughter.) I would like to thank our projectionist, Jerry. There was a lot of work to be done in the days and hours leading up to the debut of the Megatheatre, so we are grateful to him for his time and patience. Sara was honored that her father inaugurated the new theatre. I’d like to thank Elizabeth Rye for her pre-show and post-show assistance with Sara. And local artist Paul Pandocchi, for supplying the wonderful Monster models that decorated our table. Lastly, I would like to thank the theatre staff and management for making this event possible.
The following are some outstanding photos taken by Maria Melnyk. (Visit the Pickwick Theatre Classic Film Series Facebook page and our Photo Archive above to view more wild and wonderful photos of our fans!)
Sara Karloff and the many faces of Boris!
Lines for the evening show went down the block!
Sara signed many photos, books, and monster memorabilia!
Organist Matt Haider performs pre-show music on the Mighty Wurlitzer. Yes, it still plays post-renovation!
Sara with program host Matthew C. Hoffman.
Ironically, it’s a film from 1935 that opens the IMAX-sized new screen!
With Shannon and Allison
Allison with the Monster!
A message from Donnie Dunagan, “Peter von Frankenstein” in Son of Frankenstein (1939):
… let me share this with Joy. 2:51pm CDST Sept 26, 2018
Mister Karloff……. whose name I did not do correct sometimes, and he would laugh, was a Joy for me. He could make the hard-working set crews laugh so easy. In my other 7 films it was easy to notice those in production or acting that took themselves real serious, with noses up in the air when off-camera. Mister Karloff was totally different. The stage hands on those original and massive sound sets had to move real wood walls – like in that Frankenstein Joint – heavy stuff. They related to Karloff with natural respect. Even at age 5 I had some sense of who was phony and who was the Real Thing. I saw Mr. Karloff in full costume (which caused him some pain) several times get up from a studio folding chair and walk to where the crew guys were having a heck of time moving a heavy wall or stair-case, and help them. Like I later saw the Real Leaders in our Marine Corps pitch-in and help with the hard and dirty stuff.
He taught me how to play checkers, with a board borrowed from someone. During some of the long breaks between sets and ‘takes,’ we played. One day, when he was being distracted a bit by crew guys, while playing that board game with me, I bet him a Quarter. I never had any money for ice cream or ??? and had heard the crew dudes bet all the time…… with ”bet you two-bits…” Because of his laughing and distractions, I won. Ha! And, guess what this future Marine combat leader wanted….. “Mr. Karloff I want my money.” The crew and the Director and others had a great time with that. After pleading that he was in Monster clothes and had no money, the crew just beat him up….it was just great fun. At last he took me by the hand, many following us, to his dressing room place, went inside and came out with a shiny silver class Half Dollar. I did not recognize it and thought it was ‘play money’ and would not take it. At least 20 of the case and stage crew were there and laughing loud. Then he went down on one knee, now head level with me, and held up that half-dollar and said something like…”Donnie. Please take this…it is real money….” Boy, I wish we had a photo of that, I could pay off my mortgage ……. We have an original copy (B&W) of a studio photo showing Karloff with me sitting on his knee, listening to a kid joke I just told, with his head back and laughing big. Frankenstein in full out-fit, laughing. A joy that man was in my life. Well Remembered and Keenly Respected.
Donnie Dunagan
With Sara
Program Host Matthew C. Hoffman
