Looking Horrible

The alleged pirating of Vampira’s persona by Elvira is more than an issue of makeup (Outtakes item by Pat H. Broeske, Oct. 2).

The TV studio props used by Elvira (Cassandra Petersen)--the candelabra, the Victorian-style sofa--these are the same things that Vampira (Maila Nurmi) used on television in 1954.

Vampira opened her show by slinking through a mist-filled hallway. Now who else do we know who does that?

What about the cleavage? The V-cut dress Vampira wore in 1954, Elvira has that, and she added a slit up the dress to expose her right leg. (I’m not complaining.)

Makeup? No, Nurmi’s lawsuit against Petersen is really about a concept.

ROBERT D. STONE

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