Vampira Came Before Elvira Ever Existed
By Dead Posey
In the world of horror, few names evoke the same allure and mystique as Vampira. A groundbreaking figure, Vampira, also known as Maila Nurmi, captivated audiences in the 1950s way before Elvira ever existed and she left an undeniable mark on the genre. With her gothic beauty & wit, macabre persona, and iconic portrayal of the character Vampira she created, she carved her name in the annals of horror history. I can’t help but feel a kindred spirit with not only her character Vampira but also with Maila Nurmi herself who was quite the force to be reckoned with. On that note, all hail to the queen of horror and her mesmerizing story and the everlasting legacy she left behind.
The Birth of Vampira
Maila Nurmi, the woman behind the character Vampira, was born on December 11, 1922 in Massachusetts. After High School she headed to Hollywood to pursue her passion of acting but her character Vampira didn’t arrive till her early 30’s after some strokes of bad luck, run ins with movie producer pervs, a short two day detour of joining the circus and a handful of modeling gigs.
Her moment arrived after she saw a Charles Adams cartoon drawing of Morticia in The New Yorker which inspired Nurmi to create her character Vampira for a Halloween Party that she would be attending. After she won the costume contest she was discovered by television producer Hunt Stromberg Jr. From there the stars finally aligned and she was offered to appear on KABC-TV where The Vampira Show was born. Before filming she developed a unique persona that combined quick witted gallows humor, gothic charm, and a touch of sensuality accompanied by a gothic haunted house-like set that was fit for the ghoul queen.
The Ghoul Queen on TV
In 1954, Vampira made her television debut with "The Vampira Show," a late-night horror film program that aired in the Los Angeles area. Maila Nurmi became an instant sensation when she made her debut as Vampira in a form-fitting black gown, homemade ghoul-like fingernails and a shock of jet black hair. Vampira's eerie demeanor, seductive charm, and dry wit endeared her to viewers, and her show quickly gained a cult following. I would have loved to watch all of her shows that aired, but sadly the network didn’t keep any of it in their archives since it was shot live. There’s now only a few short clips around to watch Vampira and all her glory, which is a true travesty to us all.
Vampira's Cultural Impact
Vampira's influence extended far beyond the television screen. With her unique style and unforgettable presence, she challenged conventional beauty standards in a time of the glorified perfect housewife era and defied societal norms. Her character inspired numerous imitations, and Vampira became an icon of horror, femininity, and outsider culture. She embodied the spirit of rebellion and paved the way for the goth, punk & alternative lifestyle for generations to come. I resonate with her deeply as a female in society and as an artist in a rock band pushing against social norms. She was way ahead of her time and in my opinion horribly overlooked in many ways that I will truly never understand.
Ed Wood and "Plan 9 From Outer Space"
One of Vampira's most notable contributions to cinema came through her collaboration with the infamous director Ed Wood. In the 1959 film "Plan 9 From Outer Space," Vampira played a pivotal role as the undead seductress. While the film itself gained notoriety as one of the "worst movies ever made," Vampira's performance stood out, adding a layer of allure and enigma to the production. She knew the script was terrible so she refused to have any lines and in true Hollywood fashion she was also gravely underpaid for her role.
The Later Years & Elvira Ripping Vampira Off
Following the end of her television show Vampira's popularity waned after the death of her friend James Dean. There was a witch hunt on her created by the press after they saw a postcard she had sent to him. The two plus a close friend used to hangout in graveyards for fun so in true Vampira fashion she sent a postcard to Dean in her gallows humor tone which 1950’s America didn’t like very much. The press even twisted her words to make it appear as if she did some kind of black magic on her friend Jimmy and was even shunned by Hollywood for a time. However after some time had passed she did continue to make appearances as Vampira including a show in Las Vegas starring Liberachi and Elvis Presely as the opener. Maila also had a bit part in the film, “The Beat Generation” where you can get a glimpse of just how talented she really was as an actress and how much we all missed out on her getting the opportunities she actually deserved. She also received another stroke of bad luck and being mistreated by Hollywood when the 80’s rolled around. We all know Elvira and you have Vampira to thank for that! Without Vampira there is no such thing as Elvira. Unfortunately Maila was led to believe she would be working closely with the “New Vampira Show '' in the works. But after she was disrespected by the studio and one of her only requests to not play the new vampiras mother since vampira’s character was never meant to be a mother she had no choice but to stand up for the character she created and she suffered greatly for it. After the first new vampira show aired Maila sent a letter to the studios threatening a lawsuit which they then changed the new vampira show name from Vampira to Elvira. All of the set decor, dark humor and mistress of the night ideas came from Vampira herself. I believe if this happened today Maila would have had more of a voice to rally others to help her not get completely screwed out of that deal. There would have been more of a level of respect from the studios and the actress who played Elvira. Instead they all were looking out for themselves and left Vampira in the dust. People might say, “Well Vampira treated Elvira poorly afterwards” and to that I ask, “What would you do if someone stole and/or copied what you created, pretended you didn’t exist and profited from it?” I would probably raise a little hell myself if I’m being honest.
Her Legacy
Even with her strokes of bad luck and being disrespected and mistreated by Hollywood, her legacy lives on through generations of goths, outsiders, horror enthusiasts, performers and artists like The Misfits who wrote a song about Vampira. She will forever remain an enduring symbol of counterculture. I feel so drawn to her and feel I missed out greatly on not getting to meet her in this lifetime. Though she may have faded from the spotlight, her legend lives on as a timeless symbol of gothic allure, forever haunting the annals of horror history. All hail the queen of horror and may she rest in peace. xx
Read “Glamour Ghoul” To Dive Deeper Into Maila & Her Character Vampira:
