James Whale
James Whale (22 July 1889 – 29 May 1957) was an English movie director, theatre director, and actor. He is best remembered for his horror movies. These include Frankenstein (1931), The Old Dark House (1932), The Invisible Man (1933) and Bride of Frankenstein (1935). He also directed the movie musical Show Boat (1936).
James Whale | |
|---|---|
| Born | 22 July 1889 Dudley, Worcestershire, England |
| Died | 29 May 1957 (aged 67) |
| Occupation | |
| Years active | 1919–52 |
Notable work | Frankenstein (1931) The Invisible Man (1933) Bride of Frankenstein (1935) Show Boat (1936) |
| Partner(s) | David Lewis Pierre Foegel |
Whale was born into a large family. Early on, he discovered his artistic talent and studied art. With the outbreak of World War I, Whale joined the British Army. He became an officer. He was captured by the Germans. During his time as a prisoner of war, he became interested in theatre. After the war, he became an actor, set designer, and director. He moved to the United States to direct a Broadway play, and then moved to Hollywood to direct movies.
Whale lived in Hollywood for the rest of his life with his longtime companion, producer David Lewis. Whale directed a dozen movies for Universal Studios between 1930 and 1936, developing a style influenced by German Expressionism.
After string of movies failures, Whale's directing career was over by 1941. He continued to direct for the stage, painted, and travelled. His retirement years were comfortable until strokes in 1956 left him in pain. Whale committed suicide on 29 May 1957 by drowning himself in his backyard swimming pool.
James Whale Media
"From early morn to dewy eve": watercolour cartoon by Whale of prisoners in Holzminden prisoner-of-war camp, 1918
Colin Clive in Whale's 1929 stage production of Journey's End
Whale directed Boris Karloff in the iconic horror film Bride of Frankenstein (1935).
1930s Universal's art director Karoly Grosz designed this offbeat 1935 advertisement.
Boris Karloff and Whale on set of Bride of Frankenstein (1935)
James Whale memorial sculpture (2001) by Charles Hadcock, in Dudley, England
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Other websites
- James Whale on IMDb