- Severe alcoholism hastened his death from tuberculosis, heart problems, and pneumonia. He was only 37 when he died.
- The reason James Whale wanted to cast Clive as Stanhope in "Journey's End" in the role created by Laurence Olivier was because he was fascinated by the prospect of having the part played by a real alcoholic.
- Although he was a resident of the Algonquin Hotel, he kept to himself and never took part in the Algonquin Round Table.
- Peter Lorre and Alan Mowbray were pallbearers at Clive's funeral, but neither friend James Whale nor wife Jeanne de Casalis attended, although she sent a spray of roses. She died in 1966 after writing her memoir "Things i Don't Remember." In it she makes no mention of her husband.
- He was a direct descendant of Clive of India and intended to pursue a career in the military, but a fall from a horse shattered those plans. This may be part of the reason why he was drinking - he was no longer fit enough to continue in his intended occupation.
- Clive made a comeback of sorts in "Libel," a courtroom thriller directed by Otto Preminger during which he stayed sober until the company celebrated its 100th performance in Philadelphia with a champagne party. Clive joined it and started the downward spiral of his health, which ended in his death the following year.
- [According to "Frankennstein" co-star Mae Clarke in a 1985 interview) Colin Clive was the dearest, kindest (in the real meaning of the word 'kind') man, who gave you importance. He was so wonderful, so clever. When he started acting in a scene, I wanted to stop and just watch... I'd think, " Here I am, playing scenes with this marvelous actor! Mr. Whale would say, "Colin's voice is like a pipe organ... I just pull out the stops, and he produces the music." Colin was electric. I was mesmerized by him - so much so that I hoped it didn't show! When he looked at me, I'd flush. He had a wife back in England, and I had my young man (of the "Waterloo Bridge" premiere.) In fact, I was glad my fiancé was at the premiere that night - to be my good anchor against my stormy waves of fancy for Colin. He was the handsomest man I ever saw - and also the saddest. Colin's sadness was elusive; the sadness you see if you contemplate many of the master painters' and sculptors' conceptions of the face of Christ - the ultimate source in my view of all sadness.
- In "The Firebird," his first film under his new Warner contract in 1934, Clive suffered an alcoholic breakdown and had to be replaced by Lionel Atwill.
- Colin Clive was the first actor to reprise his role of Baron Frankenstein.
- As the "mad scientist" in Frankenstein (1931) Clive spoke one of the most memorable dialogue lines in movie history: Upon seeing the hand of his cadaverous "creation" move for the first time, Clive all but hysterically declared; "It's alive! It's alive!!".
- Played by Matt McKenzie in Gods and Monsters (1998).
- Colin injured himself while horse riding before filming started on " The Bride of Frankenstein".
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