Farewell to Vampira-- RIP

[The Drunken Severed Head]

I am very sorry to hear about this. Hope she's somewhere having a laugh with James Dean.

[darkmonkeygod]

Sad to see anyone pass, but it seems she had quite a life, and unquestionably left her mark on a great number of people, me included.  Thanks much Malia Nurmi, long live Vampira.

[Wich2]

When someone's lifespan has come within hailing distance of a Century, and they've by all accounts led a full life, I feel an occasion for joy for them, not sadness.

Best,
-Craig W.

[Drac]

VAMPIRA DIES AT 86

This just in from the blog world: Maila Nurmi, better known as Vampira -- or "the original glamour ghoul <http://www.rue-morgue.com/blog/archives/2008/01/11/rip-vampira-maila-nurmi/> " -- has died at age 86. The actress was the nation's first horror host in the 1950s and also appeared in Plan 9 From Outer Space.


Didn't know if everyone knew or not...if this is a bad area for obituaries etc...let me know guys! 

[poseablemonster]

When someone's lifespan has come within hailing distance of a Century, and they've by all accounts led a full life, I feel an occasion for joy for them, not sadness.

Best,
-Craig W.

That's a very positive and sensible way to look at it, Craig.  You are right; it is a blessing to have such a long life.  I guess often we see things from our own limited perspective, and we feel the loss for ourselves more than the person who's passed?

[egorschamber]

I earnestly hope that Maila's passing will be appropriately noted in publications like the Los Angeles Times and the New York Times, but I haven't seen anything yet. If you spot such an obit, please post information and a link, if possible.  It will be particularly ironic if the NY Times doesn't publish her obituary, since the name "Vampira" is regularly used to add color to feature articles there.

Meanwhile, it's satisfying to see her being remembered and discussed all over the Net, especially since a lot of great personal photos and memories are being shared.  The ground-breaking effect of her pioneering persona on the monster boom that followed her TV show appearances -- several YEARS later! -- can scarcely be exaggerated.  Her original show ran on KABC-TV, Channel 7 in Los Angeles, from April 30, 1954 until April 2, 1955, less than a year, but her outrageously seductive personality attracted national coverage in publications like Life, Newsweek, and TV Guide.  Her archetypal host character was well known all over the country when Screen Gems' SHOCK! package was first syndicated in October 1957.

Here's a very interesting webpage about the movies Vampira hosted, diligently researched by Dick "Nitelinger" Golembiewski for his terrific "Milwaukee Horror Hosts" site:

http://www.milwaukee-horror-hosts.com/VampiraShow.html

Note that the December 18 1954 feature title was apparently truncated in the TV listings, and that Dick provides a footnote accounting for WHITE ZOMBIE not appearing on the list (as depicted in Tim Burton's ED WOOD).

[The Drunken Severed Head]

Had her "Vampira" not been as fun-- and so popular-- the whole "horror host" phenomenon might not have happened. Perhaps then the monster craze might have been a fad without feet; some other aspect pop culture might have taken more attention instead.

UMA members, like all monster kids, are in her debt.

[Monster Bob]

Rest In Peace Miss Nurmi.  She was a very nice lady, and sharp as a whip.

[The Drunken Severed Head]

Enjoy this song about Vampira by Bobby Bare, my friends!

[mp3=200,20,0,center]http://tinyurl.com/2q4hyh[/mp3]

Or paste this URL into your browser window:

http://www.box.net/shared/3nci12b0ok

[fmofmpls]

Thanks Max for the Mp3. It wasn't playing at first, so I dipped into the flle and ended up correcting the url. Plays now! Sounds groovy!

[Wich2]

"Had her "Vampira" not been as fun-- and so popular-- the whole "horror host" phenomenon might not have happened."

Hear, hear, Master Max.

She and our beloved Cool Ghoul were pretty much The Founders of the Feast.

(Building on the foundations of the EC hosts, who in turn stood on the shoulders of radio folks like Raymond of the Creaking Door, and Old Nancy.)

Best,
-Craig W.

[egorschamber]

Maila's passing is being noted by major news sites at last -- apparently, since
she was reclusive, it took awhile for the official word to get out via the coroner.

Here's her obituary in the Los Angeles Times (lead obit since Jan 15):

http://www.latimes.com/news/obituaries/la-me-nurmi16jan16,1,2687156.story?coll=la-news-obituaries&ctrack=1&cset=true

Variety:

http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117979011.html?categoryId=25&cs=1

Many other news sources, like USA Today, use the Associated Press obit by Jacob Adelman:

http://www.usatoday.com/life/people/2008-01-15-vampira-obit_N.htm

I haven't seen anything at the New York Times yet, though the NYT archives are full
of Vampira references.


Some other significant observances:

A message from Kevin Sean Michaels, director of VAMPIRA: THE MOVIE --

http://www.vampirathemovie.com/

Maila's official website, Vampira's Attic, shut down save for this:

http://vampirasattic.com/

Maila's Official Memorial Page on Myspace.com, created by close friends:

http://www.myspace.com/officialmailanurmi

[drgangrene]

I was sad to hear the news about Vampira - a real shame. Did you guys ever see the Vampira guitar Schecter guitars put out. Man they're a beauty!

http://www.schecterguitars.com/news.asp?id=36

I posted something about this elsewhere this morning - I think they're no longer being made, but I hope they'll put them out again - I'd LOVE to have one!

[Halloween Jeff]

I didin't know where else to post this - Allan melvin, late of "The Brady Bunch" and other shows, died at 84...he also was the voice of Magilla Gorilla...


Link here:  http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080119/en_nm/melvin_death_dc;_ylt=ArAnm2ZPvfpuKD23APLpNZ5Y24cA

Bizarro Jeff