TALES OF THE FRIGHTENED
(aka BORIS KARLOFF PRESENTS TALES OF THE FRIGHTENED)

BORIS KARLOFF

"Tales of the Frightened" began as a syndicated 5-minute spot for Reader's Digest Magazine. Karloff would relate a story for "the back files" of the magazine, and then relate it to a story in the then current issue. These radio spots were not necessarily horror stories, but with Karloff you could never be sure. The stories were written by Michael Avallone. The albums feature early electronic music originally recorded in 1957 by the Electrosoniks; the music is slowed for the album, making it very frightening and fitting the macabre setting. There was at least 18 episodes. In 1963, Belmont Books released "Boris Karloff Presents Tales of the Frightened", containing 27 stories written by Michael Avallone. In 1975, "Boris Karloff Presents More Tales Of The Frightened" was released with 26 stories by Robert Lory. In 1963, seven of the stories from "Boris Karloff Presents Tales of the Frightened" were released as "Tales of the Frightened Told By Boris karloff"; on record in a two volume set by Mercury records. BORIS KARLOFF William Henry Pratt (23 November 1887 – 2 February 1969), known professionally as Boris Karloff and occasionally billed as Karloff the Uncanny, was a British actor. His portrayal of Frankenstein's monster in the horror film Frankenstein (1931), his 82nd film, established him as a horror icon, and he reprised the role for the sequels Bride of Frankenstein (1935) and Son of Frankenstein (1939). He also appeared as Imhotep in The Mummy (1932), and voiced the Grinch in, as well as narrating, the animated television special of Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas! (1966), which won him a Grammy Award. Aside from his numerous film roles (174 films), Karloff acted in many live stage plays and appeared on dozens of radio and television programs as well. For his contribution to film and television, Karloff was awarded two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on 8 February 1960. Karloff was the host of various comic, radio and television horror-genre publications and shows, including "Boris Karloff Thriller & Boris Karloff Tales of Mystery"; "The Boris Karloff Mystery Playhouse"; "The Veil"; "Thriller"; "Out of This World"; "Creeps By Night"; "Boris Karloff's Monster Game"; "Tales of The Frightened"; "Tales of Mystery & Imagination" Portraits of "Boris Karloff" by Bradley Beard. Below is a Youtube video featuring Volume One of "Tales of the Frightened":

LINKS

Internet Movie Data Base "Boris Karloff"	Facebook - Bradley Beard Horror Host Artist "Boris Karloff"	Wikipedia "Boris Karloff"
Old Time Radio Catalog "Tales of the Frightened"	The Official Boris Karloff Web Site "Boris Karloff"	The Unravelling of Al Cook "Boris Karloff: Tales of the Frightened"

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