I honestly have no idea how the character of Elvira – this mistress of the dark – seeped into the national consciousness. It’s a mystery to me. To date, I can’t recall seeing one thing that she actually did. Not that there aren’t things. Oh, there’s the guest commentary she did for WrestleMania 2 back in 1986, there are TV specials in which she acts as ‘hostess’: VH-1 documentaries, E! True Hollywood Stories, even a Playboy Halloween special. But I really don’t think I ever saw any of it. Well…maybe the wrestling thing. Of course, Elvira is just a character played by Cassandra Peterson, who even outside of the character has starred in some things too: Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure, Cheech & Chong’s Next Movie, and even a bit part in the James Bond film Diamonds Are Forever. But’s it’s Elvira that has brought her all the fame.
And apparently, that fame was enough for me. When she made her appearance at the Hollywood Show on February 11, 2012, I waited in the line, I paid the $20, and I got the signed photo just like everyone else who saw her as some sort of cultural Halloween/horror film icon. I only had a couple of minor complaints. First, she would only sign photos of her as Elvira as Elvira. Apparently, there’s a difference between Cassandra Peterson and Elvira, and it was an either/or deal. Secondly, she wasn’t supposed to be doing photo ops at the table, only the high-priced professional ones. I did talk the handler into letting me get a photo with her, but as you can see below, it was a less-than-optimal lean-over-the-table shot. But at least it was free.
Incidentally, Elvira would be at a later show that I would attend in Indianapolis, this time wearing the Elvira outfit and no doubt charging a higher price than zero for a photo op. But by that time, I’d had my fill of Elvira. I will pay her one massive compliment though. I found her non-Elvira appearance much more attractive than the Elvira character, even without the bountiful exposed cleavage. I thought she actually looked great for being 60 years old.
In any case, despite the complaints and the fact that I’ve really never seen her do anything, I still am happy to add this encounter to my list.
Celebrities of the Winter 2012 Hollywood Show will continue…
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