Elvira vs Vampira, a ro-'bust' legal battle

In 1981, Maila Nurmi was approached by KHJ-TV to revive Vampira for a new show. The show was renamed to Elvira’s Movie Macabre and Nurmi left the project, responding with a cease-and-desist letter. Nurmi claimed that the entire Elvira persona created by Peterson, which included comedic dialogue and puns, infringed on her creation.

MUSIC:
Luck Witch - Audio Hertz
Sinister - Anno Domini Beats

ARCHIVAL
Movie Macabre 1985-02-09 Yeti (1977)
Elvira's MTV Halloween Special
Plan 9 From Outer Space
Vampira in The Haunted World of Ed Wood
The Vampira Show - Rare 1954 television clips Maila Nurmi
Vampira (Maila Nurmi)--Rare 1988 TV Interview, James Dean
Let's Draw: Maleficent from Sleeping Beauty
Worth Point
LIFE Magazine
Maila Nurmi's Incredibly Strange interview

[j.d.]

If only Vampira was supportive of Elvira, things coukd have worked better. Elvira, even after being sued always spoke highly of Vampira in interviews.

[carolynboxmeyer]

It’s silly to compare Vampira, Morticia, Lily, Elvira, because they all had wonderful styles. Each was/is unique!

[NIGHTGUYRYAN]

this reminds me of the woman who sued over betty boop stealing her act. turns out that the woman had taken the act from a black singer herself! i would argue vampira is much more like morticia than elvira being like vampira. elvira is a bratty valley girl dressed like a halloween pinup. its a complete contradiction and thats why it works. its actually alot smarter than just copying a look - she turned it on its head.

[OldMotorbikeMan]

Elvira made her skits as a kinda salute to the vampyria days &movie era..she did not copy it, she embellished it& added her own kooki kind of dark comedy to it all..

[lairbox]

Both Elvira and Vampira were inspired by Morticia, that's why it was silly sueing another actress for making the same thing she made. That's basically what the court explained her.
However Cassandra did change drastically some of the aspects of her character, fitting a playboy's grotesque and funny character that was perfectly tailored for the tv of those times. She created a true icon that still lives!

[ASurfgirl]

Imagine finding out your biological parents are vampira and orson wells I always wished I’d find out I was adopted when I was little. Still do as an adult

[melxoxo]

The thing is: Maila was inspired by Morticia only after she was discovered that she changed the costume and persona completely. And what people forget is that initially the Elvira show was a 100% completely copy and pasted of the Vampira, only after the the lawsuit that Elvira persona became more funnier and way more exaggerated

[The_Gallowglass]

Maila was broke and wanted a payday. Cassandra is 71 today and still looks as good as ever.

[dm]

You can't copyright women wearing spooky black dresses on a horror show. I feel like Vampira's career would have had a comeback had she been a kinder person.

[artkhristie]

Vampira was gorgeous and had sex appeal but Elvira had the looks and crazy humor that fit her character.
They both look great for the times they were in.
But my vote for the sexiest it would be with Elvira.

[bepponabuco]

Cassandra Peterson, aka Elvira is a truly classy woman and we all love her!
'Nuff said.

[steffanryan]

Great video! I think your pacing and transitions to interviews and scenes are great! Super informative.

[markbeauseigneur]

Elvira has so much more to offer. Thanks for the video 👍

[Sarah-gfed]

I like them both, but I prefer Vampira. She was the original and had the edge. Maila was a fascinating and beautiful lady well ahead of her time. I wished that she had done more TV and films. RIP Beautiful Maila ❤️

[mihnma]

I love them both, and I wouldn’t have minded to see Lola Falana as Vampira

[thedukeofno]

When Nurmi created Vampira, Morticia was an unnamed character in a newspaper comic.

[newbengraham]

so she borrowed the morticia adams character, but then turns around and gets mad when someone borrows the vampira persona. right. got it.

[helkas]

I loved Elvira. I wasn't really familiar with Vampira. She looked delicious too, lol. Elvira is my favourite for what she did. I personally loved each of the women that shared similar roles, like Yvonne Decarlo, and Carolyn Jones. I think this woman mentioning the clap from Orson was vulgar.

[violetmoonofthenorth]

I like them both but I do love vampira 🖤

[akfreed]

Elvira broke my heart when she came out of the coffin ⚰️👽😈