Modern Screen (Feb - Oct 1933 (assorted issues))

Modern Screen Karloff's Strange History (Continued from page 45) service." It was natural that, since the father had served his government well, his sons should follow his steps, and they all did . . . all except Karloff— "the Russian." As they grew older, each of his brothers took the "examinations" and went away to some far-off place. One to China to serve in the British Consulate ... one to Brazil with a French cable detachment ... one to India, directly in his father's footsteps, and another to Egypt. George, the second eldest, was elected to remain at home, however, and act as "father" to Karloff. Between these two brothers grew a strong attachment ... the only family tie that Karloff ever knew with the exception of his mother. But even with his understanding of Karloff 's strange, Russian character, George was fundamentally British. He argued that Karloff should be enrolled in a military prep school from which he would eventually graduate into "the army." The school suggested by George was small, having an enrollment of but forty students. The classrooms were dark and draughty and the entire student body was presided over by an eccentric "master" by the name of Starky. The aged pedagogue had miserable teeth, an almost comically-pointed head and a very peculiar way of drawing in his breath in a hissing manner when he spoke. Had the worthy, but detestably ugly master known that years later he would prove the inspiration for one of the most grotesque make-ups ever imagined for the Hollywood screen, he would no doubt have seized the occasion to "wallop" Karloff mightily ! r^EORGE, his brother and self-ap^ pointed "father," died when Karloff was about fifteen. None of the other brothers assumed the same protective interest in his welfare and from that minute he was practically "on his own." His mother had seldom refused her boy anything, and so when Karloff decided to leave Starky's school for one more to his liking, there was no family opposition. With considerable excitement, he enrolled at Merchant Taylors, a famous old school in Charterhouse Square in London. There he went for two years of highschool, when he entered Uppingham for his academic work. Karloff considers the six years he spent in schools of his own choice as merely "routine." He learned to smoke with the usual digestive difficulties — saw his first French postal cards— got drunk to see what it was like, and didn't like it. All during this time, however, his flair for drama was given an even greater incentive. He spent every "bob" he could scrape together attending the theatre in London. He presented himself religiously for parts in school play activities. He no doubt possessed the mild good manners that he now has, but his dark skin in contrast to his British fellow students was so pronounced as to fit the description of "menacing" and he was usually given the villain roles. Which was just to his liking! When his mother died during his fourth term at Uppingham, Karloff quit school. He had almost definitely made up his mind to enter upon a career of acting . . . but two older brothers were equally determined that he should follow the tradition of the family and take up government service. Against his will the boy was goaded into taking the "examinations"— which he deliberately failed to pass. His attitude so infuriated his quick tempered brothers that Karloff decided that he had best leave England forever. He decided to run away. His mother had left him a small inheritance, but the family solicitor had prevailed upon Karloff to leave it in the bank for safe-keeping. Thus he had little actual cash with which to make his escape. He didn't know where he was going, so he flipped a coin. Canada! So, on a certain spring morning in April, Karloff told his brothers he was "going up to London." As casually as that did he break the family ties ! Without a word of good-by. And at the moment he walked out the door, a thirdclass cabin passage for Canada nestled in his pocket. TP HE family solicitor had explained that there was little chance of his landing a job in a strange country so he had arranged for Karloff to go immediately to Ontario and enter the service of a farmer there. So be it' And had Karloff arrived in Canada in the fall of the year, we might never have had our great character actor in Hollywood. He might have liked farming ! But as it was he arrived just as the winter ceased and his main 'job was cleaning the barns and haulin^ manure. And since the job only paid him $10.00 a month and "keep," he lasted but six weeks ! Where to go now? It suddenly occurred to him that he should have the money he had left in the bank in England. He hopped a boat and returned for it immediately. His brothers pretended not to realize he had ever left. He took their silence with a smile withdrew his money and departed at once for Canada again. This time he decided to go far west to Vancouver. On the way, he passed through beautiful Lake Louise. He liked the looks of the place . . got off the train and stayed there for three months, living the life of a gentleman of ease. When his money began to give out, he packed once more and set out for Vancouver He arrived at his destination with less than ten dollars in the world! pOR a brief time he was an unsuccessful real estate salesman. Then came a job digging ditches in the street at New, Cloth-lyke Shelf Paper Amazes Women Longer Wearing, Non-curling. Superior to All Previous Shelf Edgings. Costs No More New York, Jan. 3rd. 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