Boris Karloff and The Old Malt House

(adapted from Boris Karloff: More Than a Monster by Stephen Jacobs)

In late March 1936 Boris Karloff signed with producer Julius Hagen for another picture—Juggernaut—this time for Twickenham Pictures. The new contract would require the Karloff’s to stay in England for, perhaps, another three months. As a result, they began their search for a suitable home. On Sunday, 29 March the couple joined Karloff’s brother and sister-in-law, Sir John and Lady Pratt, on a drive through Surrey and Sussex. They arrived at an old inn in Mayfield, East Sussex some nine miles south of Royal Tunbridge Wells. “[W]e sat before a roaring fire toasting ourselves, and drinking good English Ale,” Dorothy wrote. “It was a real English Inn – the kind you read about – and they are truly hospitable and filled with the atmosphere of good comfort.” The following day, while her husband was at the studio, Dorothy dined with the actress/comedienne Joyce Grenfell. “She is delightful company,” Dorothy wrote, “and Lady Mary Campbell joined our table for a chat, as well. I liked them both tremendously.” On Tuesday Karloff was afforded a lie-in. “I didn’t have to be at the studio until 10.30 this morning,” he said, “and was that a break! First time in four weeks that I haven’t been there before 8.” In the evening Karloff and Dorothy had dinner at the Ivy. “Then,” Karloff revealed, “to a Mickey Mouse and newsreel theatre.” On a rainy April Fool’s Day—Wednesday, 1 April—the Karloff’s drove out into the countryside for a spot of house hunting. They had little success, “perhaps,” mused Karloff, “because nothing looked attractive in such weather.” That weekend they had better luck when they stayed with friends, Gordon Walker and George Simpson, at Moyleen Farm in Berkshire. During their stay they drove on to nearby Hurley, “which,” wrote Dorothy, “is the loveliest, tiniest village you can imagine.” There they found their perfect home, The Old Malt House, a large 17th Century building set in eight acres of gardens. As soon as they saw it, wrote Dorothy, they “both fell in love1 with it at once.” On 10 April —Good Friday—the Karloff’s began a long-weekend at the 12th Century Inn ‘The Old Bell’ in Hurley. Over the Easter holiday they took long walks through the

1 According to the Los Angeles Times the Karloff’s admired the building so much they planned to reproduce it on their Coldwater Canyon estate when they return to Hollywood. snowy countryside, played darts in the pub, and watched a point-to-point meeting of the Berkshire Hounds. Sunday was the couple’s wedding anniversary and Karloff presented his wife with a solid silver George IV wine cooler. The following day the Karloff’s signed the lease for the house, complete with three gardeners and three indoor staff. They moved in later that week. Within a week the new tenants had settled in. “Malt House grows on you,” Karloff wrote, “we like it better every day. We are taking miles of color film. Our first role was very successful: we were off in a blaze of glory taking everything we see. This, billiards and punting on the river just about complete our present activities.” On Sundays the couple would have breakfast in bed followed by a long walk – “too lazy to even play tennis,” Dorothy said. Then, at teatime, their friends would appear. “[L]ast Sunday,” Dorothy recorded, “four men came in for tea, making me the only female with eight men – which is all right too!” The house was often busy with guests. The Karloff’s friend Eb Morgan stayed with them for a time and could often be found pitting his skill against Karloff in the billiard room. “My high point,” wrote Dorothy, “was reached when I found myself playing bridge with Lady Mary Montague, who went to New York last year to stay with the Culbertson’s2 just for some bridge – which may give you a rough idea of the way she plays. However, I was the only one at the table who held any card, and the only winner – even Boris was unusually unlucky – so I had a real break that night.” On another occasion royalty came to dinner. “The owner of a film company here in London arrived with Princess Toubitsky and Prince and Princess Lowenstein,” Dorothy explained. “Then, after dinner, we all went to the local or village “pub” called “Chequers” where we were entertained after hours by the proprietors. I can’t describe what fun it was or how different from anything in America. All eight of us and an ancient dog sitting around the parlour of an old pub with special police permission for late hours, eating cheese and watercress and drinking ale. We didn’t get home until the wee hours, and I claim it to be a perfect night’s entertainment.” The Old Malt House was also the focal point for a female devotee. “When I got home today,” Dorothy wrote, “I found one of Boris’ most ardent admirers waiting with flowers, which she brings three times a week and sits until he comes home. How is that for a nice gesture? All the fans are so friendly and courteous over here. Karloff began work on the new picture, Juggernaut, on Saturday, 25 April at

2 The bridge experts Mr. and Mrs. Ely Cuthbertson. Twickenham Film Studios in St. Margaret where, claimed one reporter, “he is much sought after by the ragged little boys of the district, who he requites with autographs and pennies.” On 19 May Dorothy wrote to her mother informing her that the couple planned to extend their time in England and acquire a six-month residency. Without it Karloff would be required to pay U.S. state and federal tax on his British earnings even though he had already paid tax—on the same monies—while in England. Karloff had been troubled by his back and one of his legs during the stay but by the end of May had declared himself “feeling awfully fit.” Although his work on Juggernaut had come to an end, he was now required to return to Gaumont for retakes on The Man Who Changed His Mind. When both films were finally completed the Karloff’s made plans for a trip abroad. On Tuesday, 14 July they took the ferry at Dover bound for Calais for the start a touring holiday of France…