Vampira, mistress of the dark! The OG late night horror hostess set the standard for campy vamp in 50′s Hollywood (those eyebrows are not for the weak of heart). Maila Nurmi‘s wasp waist character originated at a Halloween party in 1953; Maila had actually come dressed as an interpretation of Charles Addams’ New Yorker cartoon character Morticia Addams (which had not yet become a pop culture staple).

The short-lived “Vampira” series only lasted one season, but she found a place in Ed Wood’s repertoire with an nonspeaking zombie/vampire role in Plan 9 From Outer Space (a crucial fixture in the camp scene!). Maila’s career descended into obscurity by the early 1960s and her place in sexy goth history was eclipsed by Elvira, who bit Vampira’s style and made a lot of money doing it. Know your icons! Vampira is the original.

Rumors abound to this day about Vampira’s unreal figure, including this gem: “The woman wrapped her notably 16″ waist in papaya powder at night. It ‘ate her flesh,’ as the actress herself put it, and helped her get her waist down to such impressive proportions.” (Um…)

The “Vampira look” lives on through all pale skinned ghouls in skintight dresses, Addams family obsessives and fan girls like me: I have got to dress like her for Halloween! The intro to “Vampira” is my inspiration, below. Love the smoke and music. (Though I cannot tell what she’s saying. Can you?)

Update: She’s saying “Screaming relaxes me so….” (Thanks, Lambert!)

[Inspiration via Discount and Vampira's Attic]