95-Year-Old Frankenstein Roars Back to Life with Live Score

The enduring 1931 classic film Frankenstein, 95 years old as of 2026, is making its London debut with a full-length musical score composed by Michael Shapiro in 2001. Shapiro will conduct the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra at Cadogan Hall, conducting the score live alongside the film, which originally lacked continuous music.

Shapiro states this fusion transforms the film into a singular artistic experience, enhancing its impact. Boris Karloff's daughter, Sara Karloff, will attend to share memories of her father, who starred as Frankenstein's monster. She recounts watching the film at 19 and her father's belief that children understood the monster's innocence better than adults.

Directed by James Whale and based on Mary Shelley's novel, the film features a largely British cast and crew. Karloff, born William Henry Pratt in Dulwich, London, achieved stardom with this role at age 44. He later resided in the UK, and the Boris Karloff Foundation now supports performing arts and cricket in the UK.

Critics initially reacted with horror, but the film's exploration of humanity, technology, and control continues to resonate. Sara Karloff views it as a thoughtful film posing questions about perpetrators and victims. Shapiro agrees, calling it a masterpiece of humanity that inspired his score, making it unsettlingly timely in 2026.