Mistress Killer

Elvira: Mistress of the Dark is a 1988 American comedy horror film directed by James Signorelli, starring Cassandra Peterson as eccentric horror host Elvira. The film's screenplay, written by Peterson, John Paragon, and Sam Egan, follows Elvira inheriting a house nestled in the heart of an overtly prudish community. Production of the film began following Peterson's success playing Elvira on the television program Elvira's Movie Macabre (1981-1986). She enlisted the aid of numerous writers and actors who she had previously worked with in the comedy troupe The Groundlings. Filming took place from January to March 1988. Elvira: Mistress of the Dark was released on September 30, 1988. It received mixed reviews, with critics variously praising or deriding its writing and humor. Peterson was nominated for a Saturn Award for Best Actress as well as a Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Actress. The film was a box office failure upon release, grossing $5.5 million against a budget of $7.5 million. It has since attained a cult following, and remastered versions have been released on home media. A second film, Elvira's Haunted Hills, was released in 2001, with Peterson reprising her role.