I like both Boris and Bel. If I tend to be be more favorably inclined to the Great Karloff it's as much as matter of his living longer than Lugosi, being in better health longer, and having English as his first language. Every little bit helps. Bela was cursed by a huge ego, poor career choices, a more flamboyant style,--when running on all cycliners--in other words, he was the more theatrical of the two. Karloff really mastered the art of acting for the csmera. Sad to say, Lugosi never did. He was a fine actor, though, but a totallly different type from the more versatile and physical Karloff.
Well put. I say Lugosi is a great PRESENCE, but Karloff is a great ACTOR.