Gregory William Mank first released a book on the Karloff-Lugosi screen pairings back in 1990.  I reviewed it for Film Quarterly at that time, and am pleased to discover this updated version from the same publisher (McFarland).

The original version was outstanding, carefully examining each actor's lasting impact long after their respective deaths, especially the eight films in which they appeared together, including such enduring classics as THE BLACK CAT (1934), THE INVISIBLE RAY (1935), SON OF FRANKENSTEIN (1939), and THE BODY SNATCHER (1945).  Mank drew from interviews with then-living former co-stars such as Mae Clarke, Hazel Court, Elsa Lanchester, Marilyn Harris, etc., to create a fully realized portrait of the two complex, eternally famous, and very different actors.

This new version has retained all of this valuable information from the original text and added a great deal more.  Mank has interviewed more people, changed his perspective on some things, and altered the title from KARLOFF AND LUGOSI to BELA LUGOSI AND BORIS KARLOFF using the first names of each actor and placing Mr. Lugosi first.

Along with fascinating information and enlightening analysis of the films, Mank also provides a wealth of great illustrations, over 250 of them,  some never before published elsewhere, including several color poster reproductions.

The gist of the book, though, is exploring the icon status of either actor, stemming from the icons either man defined on screen (Frankenstein's monster for Karloff, Dracula for Bela Lugosi).  Each actor's life is fully documented with fascinating anecdotes by friends, co-workers, and surviving ex-wives and lovers.  Their disparate careers (each became something of a self-parody, and both ended up working in low budget fare at the end), acting versatility (Karloff was successful in many solid character roles before settling into the horror movie niche), and actual rivalry (Lugosi referred to Karloff as a rival, Boris would refer to Lugosi as "poor Bela.").

Over time and generations, these actors have extended past mere cult appreciation, and now in the 21st century perhaps have more fans between them than when either was enjoying their highest level of stardom.  The debate as to who is the greater horror icon continues among their passionate admirers.

Gregory William Mank's updated BELA LUGOSI AND BORIS KARLOFF improves upon his already commendable original book from nearly 20 years ago.  It is a welcome expansion covering the careers of two masters of an ever-popular movie genre and is most highly recommended to any fan of horror cinema.

For more information:  http://www.mcfarlandpub.com/book-2.php?id=978-0-7864-3480-0