| Collectors World Online Interview with Elivira (Cassandra Peterson) Mistress of the Dark! |
Elvira's alter ego, Cassandra Peterson, was born in Manhattan, Kansas and raised in Colorado Springs,
Colorado. Cassandra remembers being mesmerized by Ann-Margret. "I always wanted to be a dancer, ever
since I saw Ann-Margret in 'Viva Las Vegas'." Just days after graduating from high school, Cassandra fled
to Vegas where, at the age of 17, she became the youngest showgirl in Las Vegas history.
Cassandra's desire to emulate Ann-Margret led to an evening with the legendary Elvis Presley, who saw
her perform and encouraged her to pursue a singing career. Off to Europe, Cassandra toured extensively
as lead singer for an Italian rock band. Eventually settling in Rome, where she became fluent in Italian,
Cassandra met renowned director, Federico Fellini, who cast her in his classic film, "Fellini's Roma".
Returning stateside, 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 notables as Phil Hartman, Pee Wee Herman, Jon Lovitz and Julia Sweeney. 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", "Fantasy Island", "Happy
Days" and "St. Elsewhere" followed, but Cassandra recalls, "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."
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 including "Echo Park", "Alan Quartermain" and "Pee Wee's Big
Adventure", 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.
The following is a Collectors World Online-Ian St. Ian exclusive interview with the Mistress of the Dark!
Colorado. Cassandra remembers being mesmerized by Ann-Margret. "I always wanted to be a dancer, ever
since I saw Ann-Margret in 'Viva Las Vegas'." Just days after graduating from high school, Cassandra fled
to Vegas where, at the age of 17, she became the youngest showgirl in Las Vegas history.
Cassandra's desire to emulate Ann-Margret led to an evening with the legendary Elvis Presley, who saw
her perform and encouraged her to pursue a singing career. Off to Europe, Cassandra toured extensively
as lead singer for an Italian rock band. Eventually settling in Rome, where she became fluent in Italian,
Cassandra met renowned director, Federico Fellini, who cast her in his classic film, "Fellini's Roma".
Returning stateside, 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 notables as Phil Hartman, Pee Wee Herman, Jon Lovitz and Julia Sweeney. 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", "Fantasy Island", "Happy
Days" and "St. Elsewhere" followed, but Cassandra recalls, "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."
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 including "Echo Park", "Alan Quartermain" and "Pee Wee's Big
Adventure", 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.
The following is a Collectors World Online-Ian St. Ian exclusive interview with the Mistress of the Dark!
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Ian: Can you tell us a little about yourself, where you are from, how you got into show business , how Elvira came to be? EVLVIRA: I was born in Manhattan, KS., (the Little Apple) and lived there until I was 7, then moved to Colorado Springs CO, where I lived until I was 17. At age 17 I moved to Vegas where I worked as a showgirl at the Dunes Hotel, then moved to Europe where I toured with an Italian Rock band....after a million other jobs and a lot of years, I finally settled in LA where I began work with the Groundlings, a famous comedy Improvisation group and eventually ended up getting an interview for a horror hostess on a local station. Please check out elvira.com for more info. Ian: I am a huge collector...most notably of bobblehead dolls. Can you tell us about the Elvira bobblehead doll? ELVIRA: Sorry, I have almost no info on that. I know it was made by Strike Zone and I think they made about 1000 and sold them all. i signed about a hundred I think. That's all I know. Ian: Are there plans for a new Elvira bobblehead doll? ELVIRA: No plans for a bobble head at this time, but am working on a 9"-18" non-articulated maquette from Sideshow. Ian: We know you are a horror buff...what's your favorite (and least favorite) horror movie of all time and who are your favorite (and least favorite) actors? ELVIRA: Favorite: House on Haunted Hill Least Favorite: Slasher movies Favorite actor: Vincent Price Least Favorite: Paris Hilton in House of Wax Ian: Halloween is my absolute favorite holiday. We pass out candy to approximately 300 ghosts and goblins each year, and turn our home into a haunted house. Do you have a tradition on Halloween or an appearance that you make every year on October 31st? ELVIRA: Every year of the last 25 has been different. The only continuity I've had is when I was doing my live singing/dancing Halloween revue at Knott's "Scary Farm' for 18 years here in CA. It's the biggest Halloween venue in the U.S. I cram in lots of other appearance that night also, including a U2 concert appearance, ringing the closing bell at the NY stock exchange, being the grand marshall for the Halloween parade in the village and taping numerous TV shows for the same day. Ian: We love all your work...do you have a favorite film, TV show or appearance that you've done? ELVIRA: I've done so many over the last 25 years....hundreds and hundreds, but perhaps one of the most exciting was my first big one on the Tonight show with Johnny Carson. Ian: Can you tell us about your musical career and if you plan on making more records/CD's/DVD's? ELVIRA: I have 5 DVD's and a couple of vinyl albums out but no plans to make anymore at this time. Ian: I'm a collector of vinyl records......is there anything "Elvira" out there on vinyl? ELVIRA: Yes...Vinyl Macabre and 3/D TV from 1981 or 2. Ian: Can you tell us about some of the Elvira licensed products out there? (I know there's an Elvira pinball machine that I would love to get my hands on). ELVIRA: I've had over 350 licensed products over the years including 2 pinball machines, a video game, a slot machine, my own beer and a perfume. Ian: How can people join the Elvira fan club and mailing list...... and do you sign autographs via the mail? ELVIRA: Go to Elvira.com or myspace to the Elvira page. Yes, I sell signed photos at Elvira.com. Ian: What charities have you been involved with? ELVIRA: Animal Rights and AIDS charities have been my specialties, however I try to help whatever good cause comes along whenever I'm able. Thanks for taking the time to answer a few questions...and happy haunting! Ian St. Ian~ |
| All photos were taken by Ian St. Ian except where noted ...and are copyright protected and can be used with permission only....2004,2005,2006 Collectors World Online.Com |
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