Shout! Studios has announced their acquisition of North American distribution rights to BORIS KARLOFF: THE MAN BEHIND THE MONSTER.

This new documentary sheds light on William Henry Pratt (better known by his stage name, Boris Karloff) as Hollywood’s master of menace, as well as his films, his legend and the fears that haunted him through his life.

Karloff is best known for his role as “The Monster” in the classic horror films Frankenstein (1931), Bride of Frankenstein (1935) and Son of Frankenstein (1939). This documentary examines his extraordinary 60-year career in the entertainment industry, as well as his continuing influence as a horror icon. Karloff also appeared as Imhotep in The Mummy (1932), and voiced the Grinch, as well as narrated the animated television special of Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas! (1966), which won him a Grammy Award.

Directed by Thomas Hamilton (Leslie Howard: The Man Who Gave a Damn) and co-produced and co-written by Ron MacCloskey, the film provides a riveting depiction of Karloff and the genre he helped define through exclusive interviews with his daughter, Sarah Karloff, and filmmakers he influenced, including Peter Bogdanovich, Guillermo del Toro, Christopher Plummer, John Landis, Roger Corman and Kevin Brownlow. The film also features the original song “Frankenstein’s Lament” by famed jazz bassist Jay Leonhart.

Abramorama will release the film in theaters on September 17th and features the original song “Frankenstein’s Lament” by famed jazz bassist Jay Leonhart.