Evening star., 1944-03-03
Karloff Commits
Least Painful
Of Murders
BY HAROLD HEFFERNAN.
unYT VvxyOon

HOLLYWOOD.
In our estimation there's no more
fascinating performer on the screen
to watch at his work than Boris
Karloff. And especially is this true
without resorting to horror make
up-as he's doing today in "The
Climax" at Universal.
After gleefully Assisting in ap-
proximately 1890 murders during
crime-crammed period of three
years and one month with the stage
hit, Arsenic and Old Lace" here's
Karloff back in his former habitat
to spend the next eight weeks in
plotting and committing only one
murder.
karloff's newest victim is pretty
June Vincent. a promising new
conner who looks SO much like
veronica Lake that the makeup
department gave her transforma-
ton. She's playing the reigning
diva OF the European opera Of some
so years ago. Karloff, the troupe's
physician. has lost patience with her
because she has refused to accept
his love.
The scene is rehearsed several
times by Director George Wagner
and the cameraman has a cobwebbv
screen and other mystic gadgets at
tached to the lens to give the thing
an eerle complexion on the screen.
A buzzer sounds. Ominous silence
nils the stage. DR.. Karloff, looking
extremely young without makeup.
advances slowly toward Miss Vim
cent, his hypnotic eyes boring
through hers. She looks pretty
scared and seems to be trembling.
Il don't hate you, Mercellina !"
karloff whispers slowly and menace
ingly. Il only hate this thing
that has come between us-your
voice."
Miss Vincent steps back in terror
as DR.. Karloff moves closer. his
long fingers twftching.
"Friedrich!" Miss Vincent gasns
Your eyes-don't look at me like
that!" ~
Il love you," DR.. Karloff again
whlseprs. II would lay my life
down for you. But this thing that
Is taking you away from me. :"
This Is it all right! Karloff,s
fingers have crept to her throat
nrst softly caressing it. They slowly
tighten. Miss Vincent struggles
feebly. Her eyes close.
ITS here now between my fing-
ers. ia like to tear it out by the
roots!" '-0
Miss Vincent's arms fall limn,v
to her side. DR.. Karloff lowers
her gently to the floor, out OF range.
while the camera moves in to a
nuge closeup of only his black.
hypnotic eyes.
Director Waggner's whistle blows.
ending the scene. He is well pleased
karloff tenderly assists Miss Vim
cent from the floor. He scrutinizes
her throat and asks if his tigers
hurt her in any way. :
l feel just fine" replies Miss
vincent, smiling. "Mr. Karloff. when
you commit murder it doesn't
hurt bit!"
1t really was a beautifully dona
kl!lng-gentle, effective and alto
getner fascinating. Karloff smiled
with the satisfaction of a man who
mas done his jobe well. He walked
slowly toward his dressing room.
anything we can get for you?"
asked an assistant director,
YES" replied the murderer ."r
woulo welcome tall glass of
buttermilk and some butter crack
ers to munch."
Few actors have been around the
hollywood scene longer than Donald
crisp. He knows his way around
ana can handle a screen stealer as
good as the next fellow. Right
now Crisp is appearing in National
velvet" at MGM, and must be verv
much on his guard.
On one side of the veteran actor
Is Jackie Jenkins, the 6-year-oId
VINO walked away with 1.-The Human
comedy" On the other side is Daisy
the trained dog which can attract
plenty OF attention, too. Jackie is
portraying Crisp's youngest child
and Daisy is the family mutt.
Ihey rehearse the scene. Crisp
shrugs his shoulders. sighs and
turns to Director Clarence Brown.
In company like this" he COM
ments dryly, II might just as well
phone my lines in from home"
(Released by North America Nevspaper
Alliance. Inc.)