Cassandra Peterson as Elvira
Elvira aka Cassandra Peterson stars in this hilarious film and has received word that her great aunt has just passed away and she stands to inherit something she's unsure of, but hopes is money so she can achieve her dream of having her own Las Vegas show. Soon she's in Fallwell, Massachusetts which is a dead end town where nothing exciting ever happens, until Elvira shows up. There she falls in love with a local named Bob and receives her inheritance, her aunt's house, dog, and a book of recipes that contains spells which her evil uncle is trying to get from her.
Biography for Elvira
Date of birth
17 September 1951
Manhattan, Kansas, USA
Birth Name:
Cassandra Petersen
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Cassandra Peterson, Elvira's alter ego, was born in Manhattan, Kansas and raised in Colorado Springs, Colorado. She remembers always being a fan of Ann-Margret. Since Cassandra saw her in "Viva las Vegas" she wanted to be a dancer. Just days after graduating from high school, Cassandra went to Vegas where, at the age of 17, she became the youngest showgirl in Las Vegas history. When Elvis Presley saw her perform he encouraged her to pursue a singing career. Going to Europe, Cassandra toured extensively as lead singer for an Italian rock band. She settled in Rome, where she became fluent in Italian. Here Cassandra met Federico Fellini, who cast her in his classic film, "Fellini's Roma". Returning to the USA Cassandra formed her own nightclub review, "Mama's Boys", which toured the national club circuit. In the late 70's, she joined the satiric improvisational troupe, The Groundlings, which also produced such actors as Pee Wee Herman. There she honed her now renowned comedic skills as both a writer and performer. Film and television appearances such as "Cheech And Chong's Next Movie" and others followed, but Cassandra was just the typical struggling actress and spent years wondering where her next meal was coming from. It was the fall of 1981, with the birth of her character, Elvira, that it all changed. While she has since played herself in many film and television shows Cassandra Peterson ultimately combines her numerous talents into an intriguing persona which has not only become a Halloween icon, but a "vamp" for all seasons.
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Trade mark
Beauty mark (mole) under her right eye, black dress with the plunging neck line and slit on the right side, ruby ring, snake-shapped earrings, black fingernails, black pumps, the dagger she stores on her belt, and her bouffant hairdo.
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Trivia
Big fan of Vincent Price, Roger Corman and Wood Jr., Edward D.
Was a close friend of Vincent Price.
Performed in a gay bar instead of Pamela Anderson because Anderson was thrown out of the bar by the customers.
Strong supporter of gay rights
Sometimes credited as "Cassandra Petersen"
First woman who did a music video in 3D ("Superstition")
Favourite movies: Plan 9 from Outer Space (1958) and Attack of the Killer Tomatoes! (1978)
When going out as herself, Cassandra sometimes is mistaken for Susan Sarandon by her fans.
In 2002, she licensed the name and likeness of "Elvira" to International Game Technologies for use in an Elvira-themed video slot machine.
In 1996, she licensed the "Elvira" name and likeness to Midway Manufacturing (a division of WMS Gaming) for the "Scared Stiff" pinball game.
Is a natural redhead.
(1997) #1 of Sci-Fi's Sexiest B-Queens, by Femme Fatales magazine
Owns a production company in Los Angeles called Queen B Productions. She merchandises Elvira products.
Pentagon named a Stealth computer system "Elvira" inspired by her
Strong supporter of animal rights
Attended Palmer High School, Colorado Springs, Colorado; graduated in class of 1969.
Is a vegetarian
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Personal quotes
"At least I get my little black dress cleaned once in awhile." [When asked about the fact that Monica Lewinsky liked to compare with her]
"I was your typical struggling actress. I went to every audition, took a million acting, dancing and singing lessons, and spent years wondering where my next meal was coming from." Recalling her career before 1981.
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Where are they now
(1955, Easter 4yrs old) Over 75% of her body is covered in 3rd degree burns when she slips pulling a cast iron pot of boiling water (for Easter eggs) on herself.
(1967) Became the first and youngest Show Girl in Las Vegas History at age 16.
(1981) Was signed by KHJ TV LA to star as hostess for their 'Movie Macabr�' TV Show.
(1981) Moments before the first filming of 'Movie Macabr�' the infamous name of 'Elvira' is drawn from a coffee can and given to the her.
(1988) Big Scream debut of Elvira Mistress of the Dark is released.
(1995) Is sued by Malia Nurmi for the supposed plagiarism of her "Vampira" character. (Case was thrown out of court.)
(1996) Elvira's 'Nite Brew' a full bodied dark lager beer is released to over twenty two states.
(1997) Unfortunately 'Nite Brew' fizzles into obscurity due to the poor treatment she recieves at promotional trade shows due to her appearance (neck line was too low)
(1997 October) Opens her first Official Haunted House "Elvira's Nightmare Haunted House" by Ray Productions. In Atlanta Georgia.
(10/98) Stars in "Elvira's Haunted House Party" at the Ghoul Time Theatre for her 11th year hosting Knott's Scary Farm's Annual Halloween Haunt in Buena Park, California.
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Links:
The Demons 5 (2005) (pre-production) .... Sabrina Williams
Scream Queens: The E! True Hollywood Story (2004) (TV) .... Hostess
Scares & Dares (2001) (TV) .... Elvira
Elvira's Haunted Hills (2001) (as Elvira) .... Elvira, Mistress of the Dark
Bride of Monster Mania (2000) (TV) (as Elvira) .... Elvira - host
Attack of the 50 Foot Monster Mania (1999) (TV) (as Elvira) .... Elvira - host
Encounter in the Thrid Dimension (1999) .... Elvira, Mistress of the Dark
... aka Encounter in the Third Dimension (1999) (USA: orthographically correct title)
Monster Mania (1997) (TV) (as Elvira) .... Special Guest Appearance
Thrill Ride: The Science of Fun (1997) .... Elvira, Mistress of the Dark
Superstition (1997) .... Elvira
Dear God (1996) (uncredited) .... Herself (Elvira)
"Reel Wild Cinema" (1994) TV Series .... The Hostess
"Elvira Show, The" (1993) TV Series .... Elvira, Mistress of the Dark
Acting On Impulse (1993) (TV) .... Roxy
... aka Eyes of a Stranger (1993) (TV) (USA)
... aka Roses Are Dead (1993) (TV)
... aka Secret Lies (1993) (TV)
... aka Secret Lives (1993) (TV) (USA)
Ring of the Musketeers (1992) (TV) .... Jennifer
... aka Ring der Musketiere, Der (1992) (TV) (Germany)
Heartstoppers: Horror at the Movies (1992) (TV) .... Elvira
Ted and Venus (1991) .... Lisa
"Heavy Metal Heaven" (1989) TV Series .... Elvira
Elvira, Mistress of the Dark (1988) .... Elvira/Elvira's Aunt
Pledge Night (1988) .... Party Girl
... aka Hazing in Hell, A (1988) (USA: video title)
Allan Quatermain and the Lost City of Gold (1987) .... Sorais
Balboa (1986) .... Angie Stoddard
Echo Park (1986) .... Sheri
Fangoria's Weekend of Horrors (1986) (V) (as Elvira) .... Elvira
Get Out of My Room (1985) (as Elvira) .... Elvira(segment "Born in East L.A.")
... aka Cheech and Chong: Get Out of My Room (1985)
Joan Rivers and Friends Salute Heidi Abromowitz (1985) (TV) (as Elvira) .... Elvira
Bob Hope Buys NBC? (1985) (TV) .... Elvira, Mistress of the Dark
Pee-wee's Big Adventure (1985) .... Biker Mama
Uncensored (1984) (V) .... Skit characters
Last of the Great Survivors (1984) (TV) .... Elvira
Filmgore (1983) (V) .... Elvira
Stroker Ace (1983) .... Girl with Lugs
Sting II, The (1983) .... O'Malley's Girl
Jekyll & Hyde... Together Again (1982) .... Busty Nurse
"Movie Macabre" (1981) TV Series .... Elvira
... aka "Elvira's Movie Macabre" (1981) (USA: complete title)
King of the Mountain (1981) .... Neighbor
Coast to Coast (1980) .... Dinner party guest
Cheech & Chong's Next Movie (1980)
... aka High Encounters of the Ultimate Kind (1980)
Dead of Night (1977) .... Host/Elvira, Mistress of the Dark
Working Girls, The (1973) .... Katya
... aka Elvira Naked (1973) (USA: video box title)
Roma (1972)
... aka Fellini Roma (1972) (France)
... aka Fellini's Roma (1972) (USA)
Cyclops, The (1957) (uncredited) .... Hostess, 1984 video prints
Miscellaneous Crew
Bride of Monster Mania (2000) (TV) (special thanks)
Attack of the 50 Foot Monster Mania (1999) (TV) (special thanks)
Encounter in the Thrid Dimension (1999) (singer: "Haunted House") (as Elvira)
... aka Encounter in the Third Dimension (USA: orthographically correct title)
Writer - filmography
Elvira's Haunted Hills (2001) (character) (written by)
Elvira, Mistress of the Dark (1988) (written by)
Producer
"The Elvira Show" (1993) TV Series (producer)
