Maila Nurmi 1921 - 2008

Maila Nurmi, the Finnish-born actress and pioneeering TV horror hostess who created the Vampira character in 1953, starred in the worst film of all time, and served as a crucial influence on the Goth look, died last week at the ripe old age of 86. The L.A. Times obit gives the basics, noting that Nurmi (born Maila Elizabeth Syrjaniemi) modelled her look on Charles Addams' Morticia and later unsuccessfully sued Elvira for ripping her off. She co-starred, of course, in Ed Wood's infamous "Plan 9 From Outer Space" (and was played by Lisa Marie in Tim Burton's 1994 "Ed Wood"), and also appeared in such deathless period classics as "Sex Kittens Go to College"

Her Wikipedia entry has further details and links, and the website of the 2005 documentary "Vampira: The Movie" offers some nice thoughts on the woman. Nurmi's official website has been draped in black and graced with a lovely parting image. Finally, some enterprising Vampira-lover has cobbled together a fitting YouTube eulogy, pasted below. Rest in peace, Vampira, and give our regards to Ghoulardi on that great UHF station in the sky.