American Scary - Maila Nurmi (Vampira) - extended interview

This is one of the special features from the DVD of "American Scary" - a extended sequence from our interview with Maila Nurmi, where she speaks about the origins of her classic character, Vampira.
"American Scary" was released on DVD in February 2009, and can be purchased from Amazon and other retailers. It is also available through iTunes and Netflix.

[@teeniebeenie8774]

she had stories like u wouldnt believe. awesome legend.

[@CarmenZynger]

Maila Nurmi was still beautiful into her 80's. Vampira had so much talent, but she needed someone to help frame how she would execute her talent, through acting, singing, talk shows, etc. Maila was just ahead of her time, but she paved for the rest of us odd balls in how to package "unique talent not easily packaged or pigeon holed". Love her! Thanks for posting.

[@imaginarylpjerrywilson1058]

I'm commenting way up here in 2018 ! I met her at an E. Hollywood McDonald's.We became friends and pals. I loved knowing her - and then she passed in 2010. So sad.

[@danbudde2052]

I lived at the corner of Franklin and Bronson...yes hollywood. I believe I seen her once. I am never tired of her interesting stories as she draws me into each story 😮 God bless

[@Sarah-gf9ed]

I absolutely love Maila. What a fascinating intelligent lady. Still very beautiful and elegant. It's heartbreaking what she had to go through. She was authentic and well ahead of her time. The TV people abandoned her. Just like Orson Wells did when she was young. I read her book Glamour Ghoul. A must read for any Vampira fan! RIP Beautiful Maila ❤️

[@strummer_matic]

So much elegance, and class, and beauty. Maila was a goddess. Vampira is an icon and a legend.

[@jamesjones8572]

This lady was terrific

[@jeffrolane1009]

Shot at my old apartment many years ago. She was a wonderful human.

[@darreylhenderson8979]

I ADORE Maila and could listen to her speak for hours! She's amazing. I know there was a whole thing about Elvira stealing her act, but admittedly, she herself took from Charles Addams and Morticia Addams with her look. I just wish that Vampira got the credit she deserved.

[@Lauranna]

Pleasant dreams Vampira! Sleep tight sweet lady.

[@randyacuna3248]

People forget that she has a small part in the the Magic Sword 1962 or 1963 , can't remember. She is a ghost like image who kidnaps the princess. She looks beautiful.

[@Hylas19]

That's the only time I've ever heard a bit of saddness when she told this story. This poor woman...infamy and poverty.

[@markrusso2472]

I just recently found the old 'Chiller Theater' introduction that featured Vampira from the Planet 9, Ed Woods film and it showed her walking thru the woods and that music. Brrrr. When I was a child, she scared me so bad I could not watch that introduction. It scared me right down to the core.. I always wondered who she was and if it still would scare me as an adult. It does. I can watch fine, but the music and that scene of her still hits me, all these years later. She was good at creeping me out..

[@marieminshull1400]

She looked pretty good for her age

[@ForgottenHorrorchannel]

True original Legend 🕸

[@Maliceuk]

She is amazing.

[@ssalemi]

R.I.P. Maila

[@4NINETYSIX]

She's wonderful 1

[@takitogoestoNY]

she's talking about "Bizarre" magazine. i'm sure you can find vintage copies of it on amazon. Also, there's a book titled the best of bizarre. you might want to check that out

[@kamilgre3493]

I ADORE U

[@CarmenZynger]

3:41. "I don't steal from artists. I don't steal from anyone". I love that Maila had that on top. But the woman who stole Vampira's character and look, Elvira, had no trouble ripping off Vampira's character without even providing some sort of agreement or monetary compensation. That always bothered me. And still does.

[@darreylhenderson8979]

Maila herself said that she took from Morticia Addams and Charles Addams and used it as the basis for Vampira, so she wasn't totally the original. Did she provide some sort of agreement or compensation to Charles Addams? Don't get me wrong, i ADORE Maila, but i think that the courts were right in their ruling.

[@crapolaist]

@@darreylhenderson8979 that was BEFORE the addam's family was even a thing. she saw the cartoon (before the characters were even named) and said she wanted to play the mother of the family... this was well before its time... so she simply thought of the character based off that look at the man's request and built it from bondage magazines... and created vampira. THIS inspired charles addam's to name the family and make it into television. Morticia even steals Vampira's "Do you mind if I smoke?" joke

[@crapolaist]

@RENE Ramirez Getting INSPIRATION is not ripping someone off. Cassandra Peterson was Vampira without Maila Nurmi's consent up until after taping the first episode. They had to reshoot it because they realised she had the rights to the character, so they changed the name last minute. Therefore, we can say this was a blatant rip off.

[@darreylhenderson702]

@@crapolaist like I said, and like you just said, she did copy the look of Charles Addams design, so she wasn't the OG either

[@tatavega2217]

She is cute as a button

[@-danR]

And in her 80's as smart as a whip.

[@K3vinK]

They simply don’t make them like her anymore.

[@Mandamonster89]

Maila I love you so much! You are every Goth girl's grandmother. I look up to you so much. You are an inspiration and a beacon of hope to me. I pray to you all of the time and know that you are with me. I wish I could hug you right now, you amazing person. Its because of you and your stregnth that I am strong.

[@valmor1073]

Would loved to have met her.

[@Finland1965]

She was born in Finland

[@TheChapel-ee4yh]

She was born in Massachusetts

[@GetToDaChoppa-k5r]

So she was basically like the first Morticia onscreen. I am surprised Charles Addams didn't sue her like she sued Elivra.

[@KrowTheOmEgA777]

The company who put her show on originally wanted her to steal the then un named Morticia Addams. Mailia refused and changed her outfit, and make up to be sexier. Turning her character into a Vampire, to NOT steal the Addams concept.

[@harrytopalian1266]

KrowTheOmEgA777 True, and I love Elvira and think Cassandra is a sweet and decent person, so I feel bad she didn’t help Maila out, once she become wildly successful. Elvira was born out of the Vampira show and while she’s a goofier character, it’s still really close to Vampira. I’m surprised Maila didn’t win something in the court case. The network got off easy.

[@CrewmanJordan]

That's exactly what I'm sitting here thinking.

[@paulbacchus1015]

That poor woman had a very hard time of it. Paul Bacchus esq

[@baragon2001x]

Does anybody know where I can buy that book she describes about bondage and discipline? by john something

[@themayqueen666]

John Willie

[@csp0503]

Wish I could meet more interesting people like this than the usual boring ass people.

[@Sarah-gf9ed]

Me too! I would have loved to meet her! What a fascinating and amazing lady. Also a very beautiful and elegant lady. I am obsessed her. Got 3 books on her!

[@lafamiliahernandez3015]

Do we know who stole her memorabilia from her family yet? I know there is supposed to be a book, The Vampira Diaries coming out... but it was promised in print in fall 2019 with a gofundme raising almost $21,000..then a release in early 2021..seems like the project is having trouble. Is there any more reliable information on any of these topics? I'd like to buy Vampira merch ethically for once..meaning, in the name of (in)human decency, her FAMILY should profit. 🦇

[@stevelee203]

this is my gran.

[@DiamanteDea]

Better than Elvira

[@stuartlee6622]

Except Hillary Clinton was the BEST GHOUL.

[@darreylhenderson702]

@@stuartlee6622 oh, build a bridge and get over it, she isn't even relevant anymore and hasn't been for awhile. Lol

[@stuartlee6622]

@@darreylhenderson702 She's hot again with the series, "Impeachment"! 👿

[@HotsDonutz]

@CupcakeVamp you might wanna give some credit to your parents kid.. Just saying..

[@safire14676]

Really?