Elvira: Mistress of the Dark (1988)

Better Late Then Never

An absolute waste of money

Great movie! If you want to be entertained and have a few good laughs, see this movie. The music is also very good,

Strong acting helps the film overcome an uncertain premise and create characters that hold our attention absolutely.

Top-heavy horror show host Elvira (Cassandra Peterson) quits her TV job to try her luck in Vegas as a showgirl, not realising that she will need $50,000 to kick-start her new career. As luck will have it, that very same day she receives a letter informing her that she is a beneficiary of her late Aunt Morgana. Elvira packs her bags and drives to Fallwell, Massachusetts, for the reading of the will, where she learns that she has inherited her aunt's rundown house, a dog, and a cook book. What she doesn't realise is that her aunt was a witch, that the book contains recipes for spells, and that her Uncle Vincent (William Morgan Sheppard) will do anything to get his hands on it. Meanwhile, the puritanical townsfolk of Fallwell, unimpressed by Elvira's appearance and demeanour, look for a way to be rid of their new neighbour.To be honest, the plot for Elvira: Mistress of the Dark is instantly forgettable schlock, the ribald gags not all that funny, and Peterson's abrasive schtick rather tiresome after a while, but it doesn't really matter that much: the film more than caters for its intended demographic—horny males—by ensuring that its buxom star flashes her impressive cleavage at every opportunity. A thigh high slit in her black dress also gives leg men plenty to appreciate, while those who like a shapely derriere will be pleased to know that Peterson also flashes her butt.Funniest gag: "How's your head?" asks town beefcake Bob (Daniel Greene) after dropping a sign on Elvira's nut. "I haven't had any complaints yet," replies Elvira.Best boob scene: Elvira's Las Vegas act that sees the star twirling her tassles by gyrating her jugs. Mesmerising!

Cassandra Peterson, W. Morgan Sheppard, Daniel Greene and Edie McClurg star in this 1988 horror comedy. Peterson plays the title character who is a horror hostess and heads to Fallwell, Massachussetts for her late, great Aunt's will reading. She inherits her old house, a powerful recipe book and a shape-shifting dog. She also finds romance with nice guy, Bob Redding (Greene) who runs a local movie theater and meets her great uncle, Vincent Talbot (Sheppard) whom she learns is an evil warlock who wants the book. McClurg (Carrie) plays Chastity Pariah, a woman in town who doesn't like Elvira very much. I grew up watching this and always enjoyed it. It's a good 80's horror comedy that pays tribute and pokes fun at horror & b-movies and Peterson & the cast are great in it. I recommend this and "unpleasant dreams."

Elvira, Mistress of the Dark (1988) * 1/2 (out of 4) TV horror host Elvira (Cassandra Peterson) is notified that the great-aunt she never knew has died and left her a mansion. Elvira shows up in the small town where many of the old-fashioned locals look down on her but even worse is the fact that this old house contains a recipe book, which brings with it all sorts of spells and monsters. I've never been a fan of horror hosts and I never was a fan of Elvira so I really wasn't sure what to expect from this film. I had heard many negative things about this over the years and while the film is pretty bad it also has a certain charm that keeps it somewhat watchable. The entire screenplay is bizarre to say the least because it's never quite sure what type of film it wants to be. I say this because it's kept kid friendly but at the same time you've got all sorts of strange sexual talk that really stands out because you're not expecting to hear it in a movie like this and when you do hear it, it just stands out from everything else going on. All the boob jokes aimed at Elvira is expected and I think a good argument could be made that the film producers would have been much better served had the film gone for a tad bit darker and more adult natured film. The horror elements are all rather weak but I think fans of the genre will get a few smiles out of seeing some cult movies shown here including IT CONQUERED THE WORLD and ATTACK OF THE KILLER TOMATOS. There's also a pretty funny joke involving the first potion that Elvira cooks out. As for Peterson, I'd be lying if I said she gave a "good" performance but she is good at the character she created and there's no question she can play the part well. The supporting players are all good in their parts but no one really stands out and takes over the film. ELVIRA, MISTRESS OF THE DARK has a little charm but certainly not enough to carry a fairly weak story.

I was talked into watching this the other night at a party. I said "NO THANKS!" but my friend told me I'd like it. Guess what? I liked it. Elvira was so good at her delivery. I'm surprised she didn't do more films, since she was a natural on camera. This movie is not to be taken seriously obviously, but the one-liners kept stacking up. Many that I would consider using in the future.I could go into the plot, but it is a paper thin plot which is okay. The film has a kitschy fun playful mood and that's the plot as far as I'm concerned. I'd recommend this if you grew up in the 80s and have a fun sense of humor. This isn't trying to be a masterpiece. It's just fun, and having seen so many movies that attempt this kind of film I am glad to have discovered it. Congrats, Cassandra, you did well!