James Whale (22 July 1889 – 29 May 1957) was an English film director, theatre director and actor, who spent the greater part of his career in Hollywood. He is best remembered for several horror films: Frankenstein (1931), The Old Dark House (1932), The Invisible Man (1933), and Bride of Frankenstein (1935), all considered classics. Whale also directed films in other genres, including the 1936 film version of the musical Show Boat.
Whale is a character in Christopher Bram's 1995 novel Father of Frankenstein and Richard Condon's 1998 film Gods and Monsters, where he is played by Sir Ian McKellen.