The Warner Grand Theatre offers a double bill of true chiller classics from 1931. Frankenstein’s monster has been portrayed many, many times on the screen, and by such justly-acclaimed actors as Christopher Lee and Robert DeNiro. Still, whenever you close your eyes and picture the monster, it is Boris Karloff who invariably comes to mind. Karloff was 43 years old and had already appeared in over 70 films when Frankenstein came along in 1931, but this role took him from ubiquitous utility player to superstar overnight . . . even if the film’s credits neglected to include his name. The role nearly went to Bela Lugosi, who got far enough along in the process to shoot some test footage in monster makeup, but Lugosi bowed out and spent the rest of his life bitterly observing Karloff’s rise while his own career stagnated. Even if Lugosi’s resume was never as impressive as Karloff’s, with his titular role in Dracula, Lugosi set the standard that all bloodsucking freaks have been trying to live up (or down) to ever since.

Warner Grand Theatre, 478 W 6th St, San Pedro 90731. 310.548.7672; warnergrand.org. Sun 11:30am and 1pm. $2-5.