HALLOWEEN THRILLS THE LIFE AND LOVES OF A SHE- DEVIL

ELVIRA, MISTRESS OF THE DARK CELEBRATES 40 YEARS OF GIVING UNPLEASANT DREAMS WITH A BRAND NEW MEMOIR – AND PLANS TO KEEP ROLLING THE HITS OUT

- DARREN SCOTT

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.