OVER HER 40-YEAR CAREER, Elvira, Mistress of the Dark has certainly had her knockers. Never one to let things get in the way, her outstanding contributions to horror and pop culture are celebrated in the new autobiography, Yours Cruelly, Elvira by mysterious alter-ego Cassandra Peterson.
Detailing her rise from go-go dancer to Vegas showgirl, actor and then the birth of the Elvira character in 1981 – with a jaw-dropping yet hilarious chapter involving a pigeon thrown in for good measure – it’s a memoir that leaves you wanting more. Fortunately, Peterson shows no signs of stopping.
She could never have guessed that an audition she originally declined would lead to her becoming an iconic brand known all over the world. While TV producers had originally intended to work with Vampira originator Maila Nurmi in 1981 to once more have the character front a series of horror films, plans fell through and a new persona needed to be devised as the face of Movie Macabre: Elvira, Mistress of the Dark was born.
The original show, which saw Elvira host a series of B-movies, horror and sci-fi, ran for five years, before Peterson got the rights to Elvira and went on to appear in her own feature films.
Anyway, you want the life story? Buy the book already, sheesh! This girl’s got pumpkins to feed.
REVELATIONS
When SFX puts in a call to Los Angeles on the eve of Halloween, the sound of birdsong fills the air like something from a Disney movie. “I’m just like Snow White,” Peterson chuckles.
This story is from the Holiday Special 2021 edition of SFX.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the Holiday Special 2021 edition of SFX.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
ANCER MAHAGEMENT
WITH A NEW TRILOGY IN SIGHT, WE SPEAK TO THE DIRECTOR OF 28 WEEKS LATER THE ORIGINAL CHILLING SEQUEL TO DANNY BOYLE'S SEMINAL SURVIVAL HORROR
WHO YA CONNA CALL?
BEHIND THE SCENES AT HALLOWEEN HORROR NIGHTS FOR GHOSTBUSTERS: FROZEN EMPIRE
SPEAK OF THE DEVIL
THE DEVIL'S HOUR STRIKES TWICE AS THE GENREDEFYING DRAMA RETURNS
SCARRY STORIES TO TELL IN THE DARK
FROM THE RETURN OF EC COMICS TO SCREAM!, THIS YEAR'S HALLOWEEN OFFERS UP HORROR COMICS FOR ALL THE AGES
UNDEADS REFLECTIONS
NEIL JORDAN ON BRINGING ANNE RICE'S MODERN VAMPIRE CLASSIC TO SCREEN, 30 YEARS ON
MUNSTER MASH!
PRODUCTION HELL, SHOCK RECASTING AND HOTLY CONTESTED AUTHORSHIP. AS THE MUNSTERS CELEBRATE THEIR 60TH ANNIVERSARY, WE UNCOVER HOW THE SPOOKY SITCOM WAS ALMOST DEAD ON ARRIVAL
COMING TO AMERICA
THE MOGWAI LIVE THE AMERICAN DREAM IN THEIR SECOND CHAPTER, GREMLINS: THE WILD BATCH
BEING HUMAN EVOLUTION
IT MAY HAVE BEEN AN INSTANT HIT, BUT BBC THREE'S DARKLY COMIC DRAMA ABOUT A HOUSE-SHARING VAMPIRE/WEREWOLF/GHOST TRIO HAD A STRANGE JOURNEY TO THE SCREEN, SERIES CREATOR TOBY WHITHOUSE TELLS SFX
THE MAINE EVENT
THE DARK IS RISING IN SALEM'S LOT AS STEPHEN KING'S DEATHLESS TALE RETURNS TO THE SCREEN
WHY DON'T YOU STAY FOR A BITE?
THE VAMPIRE COMES HOME AS DIRECTOR EUROS LYN WELCOMES SFX TO HIS NEW DARK COMEDY THE RADLEYS
