Sara Karloff and Michael Shapiro discuss a new score for Frankenstein
The 1931 film Frankenstein is approaching its 95th anniversary and remains a widely recognised classic horror. Its original release included dialogue but no music; composer Michael Shapiro later wrote a full-length score that he will conduct with the film at London’s Cadogan Hall next month, alongside the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, in a performance featuring Boris Karloff’s daughter Sara Karloff.
The 1931 Frankenstein film is approaching its 95th anniversary and remains one of the most recognisable classic horror films.
The film starred Boris Karloff as the monster and included dialogue but no musical soundtrack. Composer Michael Shapiro wrote a full-length score in 2001.
Shapiro will conduct the score alongside the film for the first time in London next month at Cadogan Hall, with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. He said the music is intended to emphasise what is already shown on screen.
Sara Karloff, Boris Karloff’s daughter, and Shapiro discussed the film’s continued status as a much-loved classic.
THE QUESTIONS THIS EVENT LEAVES BEHIND
How might adding a continuous score change the audience’s interpretation of a film originally released without music?
What assumptions about classic horror films shape the decision to pair them with newly written orchestral scores?
How could Sara Karloff’s family connection influence discussions about the film’s legacy?
Who controls the interpretation of a historic film when new music is performed alongside it?
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