Biography
James Whale (22 July 1889 – 29 May 1957) was an English film director, theatre director and actor. Born in Dudley, Worcestershire, he studied art before the First World War, during which he served as an officer and was captured by German forces. While a prisoner of war he developed an interest in drama.
After the war Whale worked as an actor, set designer and director in Britain. His direction of the 1928 play Journey's End brought him to the United States, first to direct it on Broadway and then to Hollywood. He directed over a dozen films for Universal Studios between 1930 and 1936, including Frankenstein (1931), The Old Dark House (1932), The Invisible Man (1933), Bride of Frankenstein (1935) and Show Boat (1936). He also contributed uncredited work to Hell's Angels (1930). Whale lived in Hollywood for the rest of his life.
