Yours Cruelly, Elvira: Memoirs of the Mistress of the Dark
The woman behind the icon known as Elvira, Mistress of the Dark, the undisputed Queen of Halloween, reveals her full story, filled with intimate bombshells, told by the bombshell herself.
On Good Friday in 1953, at only 18 months old, 25 miles from the nearest hospital in Manhattan, Kansas, Cassandra Peterson reached for a pot on the stove and doused herself in boiling water. Third-degree burns covered 35% of her body, and the prognosis wasn't good. But she survived. Burned and scarred, the impact stayed with her and became an obstacle she was determined to overcome. Feeling like a misfit led to her love of horror. While her sisters played with Barbie dolls, Cassandra built model kits of Frankenstein and Dracula, and idolized Vincent Price.
Due to a complicated relationship with her mother, Cassandra left home at 14, and by age 17 she was performing at the famed Dunes Hotel in Las Vegas. Run-ins with the likes of Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr., and Tom Jones helped her grow up fast. Then a chance encounter with her idol Elvis Presley, changed the course of her life forever, and led her to Europe where she worked in film and traveled Italy as lead singer of an Italian pop band. She eventually made her way to Los Angeles, where she joined the famed comedy improv group, The Groundlings, and worked alongside Phil Hartman and Paul "Pee-wee" Reubens, honing her comedic skills.
Nearing age 30, a struggling actress considered past her prime, she auditioned at local LA channel KHJ as hostess for the late night vintage horror movies. Cassandra improvised, made the role her own, and got the job on the spot. Yours Cruelly, Elvira is an unforgettably wild memoir. Cassandra doesn't shy away from revealing exactly who she is and how she overcame seemingly insurmountable odds. Always original and sometimes outrageous, her story is loaded with twists, travails, revelry, and downright shocking experiences. It is the candid, often funny, and sometimes heart-breaking tale of a Midwest farm girl's long strange trip to become the world's sexiest, sassiest Halloween icon.
Book Review: Yours Cruelly, Elvira: Memoirs of the Mistress of the Dark
In her captivating memoir, Yours Cruelly, Elvira: Memoirs of the Mistress of the Dark, Cassandra Peterson—the iconic horror hostess better known as Elvira—shares her fascinating journey from humble beginnings to becoming a beloved pop culture figure.
With wit and candor, Peterson recounts her early life in Kansas, her struggles as a struggling actress in Hollywood, and her fortuitous encounter with Elvira, the character that would change her life forever.
Yours Cruelly, Elvira is a treasure trove of anecdotes and behind-the-scenes stories from Peterson's decades-long career. Fans will delight in reading about her experiences on the set of Elvira, Mistress of the Dark, her numerous television appearances, and her encounters with fellow celebrities.
But Peterson also delves into more personal topics, such as her struggles with addiction and her journey toward self-acceptance. She writes with honesty and vulnerability, inviting readers into her world and sharing her innermost thoughts and feelings.
Whether you're a longtime fan of Elvira or simply enjoy a good memoir, Yours Cruelly, Elvira is a must-read. Peterson's humor, warmth, and resilience shine through on every page, making this book a truly entertaining and inspiring read.
About the Author
Cassandra Peterson is an American actress, comedian, singer, and producer. She is best known for her portrayal of Elvira, Mistress of the Dark, a character she created in the early 1980s. Peterson has starred in several films and television shows, including Elvira, Mistress of the Dark (1988), Elvira's Haunted Hills (2001), and 13 Nights of Elvira (2014).
Rating:
