Edward Van Sloan was born on 1 November 1882. That was in Minnesota. I mention it only because I tend to think of him as British. But that’s because of the kind of roles he played.
But I know! Most people don’t know his name. But he had notable parts in Dracula, The Mummy, and Frankenstein.
This in itself is remarkable. He had major parts in the 3 most important horror films of the 1930s. He also reprised his role of Professor Von Helsing in Dracula’s Daughter.
And sure. You could write this off to him being just a Universal player. But the truth is, he was just right for these films. He pretty much defines the “learned professor” archetype in horror films.
Apparently, the producers of Frankenstein were afraid that the usual religious conservatives would protest the film. So they had Van Sloan come out on stage as himself and give the following introduction, which I don’t think would impress the censors at all! If you ask me, it adds to the thrills of the film:
How do you do? Mr Carl Laemmle feels it would be a little unkind to present this picture without just a word of friendly warning. We’re about to unfold the story of Frankenstein, a man of science who sought to create a man after his own image without reckoning upon God. It is one of the strangest tales ever told. It deals with the two great mysteries of creation: life and death. I think it will thrill you. It may shock you. It might even horrify you. So if any of you feel that you do not care to subject your nerves to such a strain, now is your chance to, uh… well, we’ve warned you!
Of the four important films Edward Van Sloan appeared in, my favorite is The Mummy. But he doesn’t have a big part in it. (We’ll have to watch for later this month when I do Boris Karloff’s birthday!) So let’s watch him in Dracula!
Edward Van Sloan as himself from the start of Frankenstein under Fair Use.