Cassandra "Elvira" Peterson
Vamps Are Forever
Recently I had the pleasure of meeting the ultimate 'vamp', Elvira. Played with tongue firmly planted in her cheek by Cassandra Peterson. Elvira was making an appearance at Creepy Classic's annual Monster Bash in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania - 2007.
Cassandra Peterson AKA Elvira
Ms. Peterson was born September 17th (the day Goldfinger premiered in England), 1949. She gained fame as the on air ghost host "Elvira" for television station KHJ's "Movie Macabre", a weekly horror movie presentation. Her wicked vampish appearance was offset by her comical character, quick witted personality and Valley-girl speech. A role she has since kept 'abreast' with appearances in films and live stage productions.
Surrounded by literally hundred's of fans, Elvira signed and posed for photos. I was lucky enough to get her to sign a photo for this website and a special James Bond greeting (click for video).
Elvira, Mistress of the Dark
After I finished videotaping her, Ms. Peterson told me that she was an extra in the OO7 film "Diamonds Are Forever". She played a showgirl at the casino and was part of the background scenery in Amsterdam. Sadly her best scenes were edited out from the final print but she can be seen very briefly walking in the background of the casino. Look carefully and you will see a woman with red hair walk behind Connery as he plays craps.
Perhaps Cassandra's likeness was the inspiration behind the red-haired woman found on the official poster.
A rendition of the Diamonds Are Forever poster. Note the red-haired woman. Perhaps Cassandra Peterson was the inspiration behind this art work. It certainly does not look like Jill St. John.