Director
James Whale
Born 22 July 1889 · Dudley, Worcestershire, England, UK — died 29 May 1957
James Whale (1889–1957) was an English stage and film director who moved to Hollywood after the success of the play Journey's End. He is best known for Universal's early-1930s horror classics, including Frankenstein and Bride of Frankenstein. He also directed the celebrated 1936 Show Boat, and his darkly witty style shaped the genre.
Key films
Frankenstein (1931)On Cinespective
His breakout horror hit; it made Boris Karloff a star and defined the Universal monster film.
The Old Dark House (1932)
A macabre, comic haunted-house tale that showed his gift for gothic atmosphere and dark humour.
The Invisible Man (1933)
A landmark of special effects and sly black comedy, with Claude Rains in his Hollywood debut.
Bride of Frankenstein (1935)
His acclaimed sequel, widely regarded as a high point of classic horror.
Show Boat (1936)
His best-known non-horror work, regarded as the definitive screen version of the musical.
Key awards
No major awards are documented here.
On Cinespective
Full filmography · 22
- 1930Journey's EndDirector
- 1931FrankensteinDirector
- 1931Waterloo BridgeDirector
- 1932The Old Dark HouseDirector
- 1932The Impatient MaidenDirector
- 1933The Invisible ManDirector
- 1933The Kiss Before the MirrorDirector
- 1933By CandlelightDirector
- 1934One More RiverDirector
- 1935Bride of FrankensteinDirector
- 1935Remember Last Night?Director
- 1936Show BoatDirector
- 1937The Great GarrickDirector
- 1937The Road BackDirector
- 1938Sinners in ParadiseDirector
- 1938Wives Under SuspicionDirector
- 1938Port of Seven SeasDirector
- 1939The Man in the Iron MaskDirector
- 1940Green HellDirector
- 1941They Dare Not LoveDirector
- 1942Classification of Enlisted MenDirector
- 1949Hello Out ThereDirector
Filmography data from TMDB. The profile text is a draft written for Cinespective.