Maila Nurmi, aka Vampira – actress, comedienne, artist, and horror hostess – was one of the most interesting and extraordinary persons I have ever met. MAILA KNEW EVERYBODY The first thing she asked me was, “Are you a genius?” adding, “I only associate with geniuses.” Taken aback, I realized that if I wanted to keep ... read more »

Check out these frames from Stanley Kubrick’s Lolita (1962) with Peter Sellers as hip TV playwright, “Clare Quilty,” and Marianne Stone as his companion, “Vivian Darkbloom” (the name is an anagram of Lolita‘s author, Vladimir Nabokov). Ms. Darkbloom’s look seems directly inspired by the look of Maila Nurmi as Vampira. I have no proof that ... read more »

Much as I actually like Cassandra Peterson (Elvira) and goth women generally, Maila Nurmi (as Vampira, above) was the greatest of them all. More stunningly beautiful than her successors. Funnier. Sexier. And scarier. (That scream…) Bet you didn’t know she was brought to Hollywood by Howard Hawks. Not for her latent goth qualities (she was ... read more »