Elvira's Haunted Hills

Whether or not you like this movie pretty much depends on what you think of Elvira. I've been an admirer since the late 80s, her look, and campy sense of humor has always appealed to me. The movie is pretty silly, and low budget, but if your an Elvira fan, then you wouldn't want it any other way. I saw this at a charity screening in Dallas, and Cassandra Petersen appeared and introduced the movie, answered questions, and signed autographs. She wasn't dressed as Elvira, she was just there as herself, I got to speak to her for a few minutes, and she signed a picture for me, she is still absolutely gorgeous, and a very sweet woman. She and her husband had to finance the movie themselves, the only deal the studios would offer wouldn't have allowed them to make any kind of profit from the movie, so if your a fan, then buy the DVD, you'll enjoy it, and if your not a fan, then buy it anyway, you can always look at Elviras "hills", that's worth the price alone.

An affectionate (and dead on) parody of Roger Corman horror films and those Hammer horror films.

Elvira and her maid are traveling to Paris for a show. Unfortunately in Romania they get waylaid in a creepy castle with mysterious characters and going ons. Basically the plot is a combo of Corman's "House of Usher" and "The Pit and the Pendulum" with huge dollops from Hammer films thrown in.

Every single cliche in those films is trotted out and hilariously torn apart. Still it's not vicious...just fun. Also the film has a PG-13 rating so the humor is pretty tasteful. Some of the one-liners from Elvira are hysterical and there's even a song and dance number which stops the show. Also the "stable stud" with his purposeful awful dubbing is a scream!

Cassandra Peterson is just perfect as Elvira. Richard O'Brien goes all the way over the top doing a mean Boris Karloff impersonation. Actually, all the cast plays it over the top but it totally fits the material. Also there's beautiful, atmospheric settings and a Hammeresque score to top it all off. Only the ending is a bit of a let down. Still, this is well worth catching. A must see!!!!!

Even liking of Elvira's character created by Cassandra Peterson this picture stays miles away from his predecessor in many fields, firstly obviously the aged of Cassandra is perfect evident, the plot is facsimile of the countless Dracula's pictures, the far-fetched humor is another low point, Cassandra holds the picture in Elvira's trademark, your natural sex appeal, those white melons expose on entire picture grab the audience and fans, traveling on Transylvania Elvira and her maid the fat girl Zou Zou end up getting a ride by the Doctor Bradley to a hauting castle where live a mad Lord Vladimire Hellsubus and his unfaith second wife Lady Ema, as usually Elvira is a perfect clone of Lord Hellsubus's late wife, duly buried alive behind the wall previously, due she had committed adultery, all this summarized on a lot of scares and screams and some song sang by Elvira, the story and screenplay developed by own Cassandra, great effort to a small results, but whenever Elvira does is always supported by her natural charisma!!

Resume:

First watch: 2008 / How many: 2 / Source: DVD / Rating: 6.25

Well, I must admit I was eagerly anticipating this release. I was especially psyched to see Richard O Brien making an appearance as Lord Hellsubus.

I thought that the first movie surpassed Haunted Hills, however, the more I watch Haunted Hills, the more it grows on me. I was so happy to see that Elvira is as beautiful as ever---truly an icon. I really like noticing more and more Poe references each time I watch-- Ligeia (Elvira/Elura), Morella (buried alive), House of Usher (castle's demise), the Black Cat/Cask of Amontillado (being walled up), and of course, the Pit and the Pendulum. I really loved the musical number "Life Is a Music Hall" (and i thought Elvira sang better in this one than in "Here I am").

Oh...and I recommend buying this movie...Cassandra Peterson financed much of it herself!!!

Elvira's still got it!

I just bought the DVD of Elvira's Haunted Hills today. Elvira's one of my favorite horror hosts (her and Svengoolie). We sure did wait a long time for this movie, and I'm glad to see it finally got made. Some of the sets in this film were really first-rate, and the hokey one-liners can still crack anyone up.

The DVD transfer was very good, both sound & video. There are lots of cool extras on the disc too, including "The Making Of Elvira's Haunted Hills" featurette; Interview with co-star Richard O'Brien and the Original theatrical trailer.

Elvira's Haunted Hills is a lot of fun - you'll enjoy this movie!