Retro Review: San Diego Comic Con Edition! – Elvira Hates Twilight by Janet L. Hetherington

This week we follow special PCA correspondent Janet Hetherington from the front lines of the San Diego Comic Con!

Elvira, Mistress of the Dark is a pop culture icon near and dear to my heart. I scripted Elvira’s comic book adventures published by Claypool Comics for six years, and many of the stories were pencilled by my studio partner Ronn Sutton.

So when Elvira (Cassandra Peterson) announced that she was holding a press conference at Comic-Con, I jumped at the chance to get the news on this horror hostess with the mostest.

Late night horror icon Elvira, Mistress of the Dark is returning to television!

First, the bad news: Elvira does not anticipate a new comic book series anytime soon.

Now, the good news: Elvira is returning to weekly television the weekend of September 25 with a revamped (no pun intended) Elvira’s Movie Macabre, to air in two-hour blocks on new digital channel on THIS! Television and in national syndication throughout the U.S.

Elvira appeared at Comic-Con in full slinky black garb and bouffant hairdo, and was obviously delighted to be bringing her special brand of film commentary to a new generation of fans. When asked how she felt about the Twilight movies, Elvira started to make an even-handed comment, and then sassily quipped, “I hate the Twilight movies!”

Cassandra Peterson still looks amazing as her Elvira persona who she has been playing since 1981. What's her secret? Did she sell her soul to the devil for eternal youth?

However, the movies Elvira will be skewering on her new TV show are of a more classic variety. “There are many of the classic black-and-white movies that I wanted to have on the original show,” Elvira said. Her favorites include The Killer Shrews, Manos, The Hands of Fate and Werewolf of Washington. “I like that one because of the obvious political aspects,” she said.

Hank Cohen, CEO/Partner of Trifecta Entertainment & Media, noted that some 500 films were considered before the final choices were made. “Elvira knows these movies backwards and forwards,” he observed.

Elvira said that the real challenge was finding the public-domain flicks in good or complete condition. The films featured on the show are remastered. “I’m going to be in HD of course,” she said. As for screening 3D movies, Elvira quipped, “I only have 2Ds right now.”

It was Elvira’s fast take with words and public recognition that sold multi-media company Trifecta on bringing Elvira back to TV.

Elvira and Trifecta Entertainment & Media CEO Hank Cohen discuss the new "Elvira's Movie Macabre" at the San Diego Comic Con

“Elvira will be every bit as relevant as the first day she burst onto the scene; a beautiful opinionated woman who always delivers just what her audience expects from her,” Cohen said.  “Elvira is a time-tested and wildly successful brand unto herself and her new show perfectly exemplifies our strategy.”

Elvira is also excited about the “spooky and cool” music for the new show, specially composed by White Stripes musician Jack While. “We’re going to make a day-glow vinyl of it,” Elvira said.

Elvira’s Movie Macabre is a 34D Production written and produced by Cassandra Peterson and Ted Biaselli.  The series’ Executive Producer is Anita First. The format of the show will be very similar to her previous one. “And I have the same old damn couch,” Elvira said.

Elvira’s reign as “Queen of Halloween” began in 1981 and has now spanned nearly three decades. It includes two feature films, an IMAX film, long-running syndicated television series and two motion control rides. She appeared in national advertising campaigns for Pepsi and Coors, recorded five music CDs, published four books and licensed over 400 products, including three pinball machines, BC Rich guitars, three comic book series, Elvira’s “Night Brew” beer, “Evil” perfume and the best-selling female Halloween costume of all time.

Elvira’s movie picks for her new Movie Macabre TV series are:

Night of the Living Dead, The Terror, The Brain That Wouldn’t Die, Giant Gila Monster, Scared to Death, Werewolf of Washington, Eegah!, Untamed Women, Santa Claus Conquers the Martians, Satanic Rights of Dracula, I Eat Your Skin, Don’t Look in the Basement, Teenagers From Outer Space, Jesse James Meets Frankenstein’s Daughter, Lady Frankenstein, Manster, Wild Women of Wongo,  A Bucket of Blood, Voyage to the Planet of Prehistoric, Tormented, The Wasp Woman,  Beast From the Haunted Cave, The Killer Shrews, Monsters From a Prehistoric Planet, Attack of the Giant Leeches and Manos, The Hands of Fate.

Comic-Con Photo of the Day

Mike Spina, Jesse Butter and Katy Budd as Henchmen 21 & 24 and Doctor Girlfriend

Henchmen 21 & 24 and Doctor Girlfriend walk the convention floor as colorful characters from The Venture Brothers. Mike Spina, Jesse Butter and Katy Budd are all from Vancouver, Canada. They took the train to Comic-Con. The costumes were specially designed to collapse and fit into a suitcase. Now that’s fan dedication!

POP CULTURE ADDICT NOTE:  Forget The Avengers Movie news.  The return of Elvira’s Movie Macabre is possibly the most exciting news from the San Diego Convention!  The original version of Elvira’s Movie Macabre, along with Buffalo New York based Off-Beat Cinema with host Maxwell Truth, helped shape my love for classic B films, grindhouse movies and the bizarre.  The reason I love movies the way I love movies is because of shows like Elvira’s Movie Macabre.  The return of Elvira to weekly television to shape and inspire another generation of viewers, that desperatly need her humor and influence, is news beyond belief and her list of films for the first season are pure camp classics that read like a Dummie’s Guide to B Movies.  PCA is dedicated to supporting and promoting Elvira’s Movie Macabre this fall! – Sam Tweedle

Janet L. Hetherington is a writer, screenwriter and graphic storyteller. She is a pop culture addict who shares a studio in Ottawa, Canada, with artist Ronn Sutton and a ginger cat, Heidi.  For more of Janet’s musings make visit @ Best Destiny