Elvira: Mistress of the Dark (1988)

 

Genre: Comedy

Time: 1h 36mins

Director: James Signorelli

Quick Summary: Upon arriving in a small town where she has inherited a rundown mansion, a famous horror hostess battles an evil uncle and townspeople who want her burned at the stake.

Honestly, this is just pure cheese humour with a LOT of boob jokes. I'm not complaining though. 

Overall this is very stupid, but it's stupid on purpose. The plot is very farfetched and dumb, but it works well with the type of film this is going for. There are tons of plot holes in this, but I choose not to think about them as this film isn't really for thinking. It's there to make you laugh.

Elvira's character is the focus here. She is lovable and adorable. Cassandra Petersen has a world of acting talent that just glows in this movie. On top of that acting talent, she had physical attributes which were honestly, stunning. I really liked how naive she acted in this, it just made it all that much funnier when things would be said or happen around her and she'd have no idea. 

This is fantastically '80s and predictable, but where this would usually mean a mark against the film, it actually is a favourable trait. It knew what it wanted to be and it blasted through the target. It's energetic and all about that tongue-in-cheek humour. I loved how funny it was. 

It doesn't take itself seriously, much like the Mistress herself, and for that, I can honestly say that I enjoyed myself 100%. 

Some negatives I have to address are her weak love interest. Bob is boring and doesn’t do a whole lot. It felt as if their romance might go somewhere but then it just dissipates. Also, the townsfolk deserved way more than they got, they literally try to murder her. 

Full of one-liners and witty remarks this is a really fun time.

8/10

"Bob Redding: How's your head?

Elvira: I haven't had any complaints yet."

" And if they ever ask about me, tell them I was more than just a great set of boobs. I was also an incredible pair of legs. And tell them... tell them that I never turned down a friend. I... never turned down a stranger for that matter. And tell them... tell them that when all is said and done, I only ask that people remember me by two simple words."

"Vincent Talbot: I must apologize for my behaviour in the office, it's just that your appearance was a bit of a shock to me.

Elvira: It's okay. My appearance is kind of a shock to everybody."