A Masque of Madness (Notes on Film 06-B, Monologue 02)

In A Masque of Madness (Notes on Film 06-B. Monologue 02), a feature length experimental film, the British actor Boris Karloff (1887-1969) embodies approximately 170 different characters. An acting career spanning 50 years (1919-1969) is compressed into one twisted movie. The protagonist experiences a schizophrenic horror trip in which he faces only versions of himself in different masks, at different ages, of different genders and races. This nightmarish concept film is both a tribute to a great actor and a crazy film history lesson.