Monster Issue
Bill Desowitz’s “They’ve Re-Created a Monster (or Two)” (Nov. 14) discussed Universal Pictures’ proposed computer-generated imagery version of “Frankenstein.” The studio said that the reason they were not going to be able to use the Boris Karloff likeness as the Monster was due to an inability “to reach a financial agreement with the late actor’s daughter.” Nothing could be further from the truth.
The studio made a financial offer for royalties on film-related merchandise, and that offer was accepted by me without any disagreement. However, the studio refused to allow me the standard right to approve the use of my father’s likeness on the film-related merchandise. This approval is an industry norm and is part of every licensing contract, past and present, that this estate has with Universal. It allows the family to maintain an appropriate standard when my father’s likeness is used.
It is, and will continue to be, my goal to keep the legacy left by my father available for his fans to enjoy.
SARA KARLOFF SPARKMAN
Karloff Enterprises
Rancho Mirage
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