Maila Nurmi
Also Known As: Vampira
Biography: Maila Elizabeth Syrjäniemi known professionally as Maila Nurmi, was a Finnish-American actress and television personality who created the campy 1950s character Vampira.
Department: Acting
Place of Birth: Petsamo, Finland
Birthday: December 11, 1922
Deathday: January 10, 2008
Adult: No
Gender: Female
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Known For:
Plan 9 from Outer Space
Overview: In California, an old man grieves the loss of his wife and on the next day he also dies. However, the space soldier Eros and her mate Tanna use an electric device to resurrect them both and the strong Inspector Clay that was murdered by the couple. Their intention is not to conquest Earth but to stop mankind from developing the powerful bomb “Solobonite” that would threaten the universe. When the population of Hollywood and Washington DC sees flying saucers on the sky, a colonel, a police lieutenant, a commercial pilot, his wife and a policeman try to stop the aliens.
Genres: Science Fiction Horror
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1959-07-22
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I Woke Up Early the Day I Died
Overview: A mental patient escapes from the looney bin in drag, robs a bank, and goes on the lam!
Genres: Comedy Crime
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1998-09-13
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Vampira: The Movie
Overview: Vampira The Movie chronicles the story of Malia "Vampira" Nurmi living on the very edge of show business and her rise to celluloid cultdom 50 years later. Her big break came in 1954 when she played the "glamour ghoul" Vampira, emerging from the mist to greet viewers of obscure horror movies on the new medium - television. Her newfound fame led to friendships with Marlon Brando, James Dean and Anthony Perkins. But Vampira's show was abruptly cancelled. Nurmi appeared as Vampira again in the 1959 low-budget horror / sci-fi film, Plan 9 from Outer Space, directed by Edward D Wood Jr. and often dubbed "the worst film of all time." But you can't keep a good vampire down and Nurmi's character rose from the dead again in 1993's Ed Wood, directed by Tim Burton and starring Johnny Depp. The movie renewed interest in Maila Nurmi and she has since achieved a Bettie Page-like cult status.
Genres: Horror Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2006-10-31
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The Magic Sword
Overview: The son of a sorceress, armed with weapons, armour and six magically summoned knights, goes on a quest to save a princess from a vengeful wizard.
Genres: Adventure Fantasy Action Family
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1962-04-01
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Flying Saucers Over Hollywood: The 'Plan 9' Companion
Overview: A documentary detailing the making of the cult favorite "Plan 9 from Outer Space," featuring interviews with cast members and prominent filmmakers about the film, its lasting legacy, and its creator, Edward D. Wood Jr.
Genres: Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1992-01-01
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The Beat Generation
Overview: A group of beatniks unwittingly harbor a serial rapist. A cop goes after him after his wife is attacked.
Genres: Crime
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1959-07-03
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The Haunted World of Edward D. Wood, Jr.
Overview: Often called the worst director in the history of cinema, Ed Wood is nevertheless a beloved figure among cult-film aficionados for his oddball productions. This documentary takes a look back at Wood's unique career at the margins of 1950s Hollywood, speaking to those who loved him and hated him. Bela Lugosi Jr. discusses his father's work in the abysmal "Plan 9 From Outer Space," while a Baptist reverend recalls how he was tricked into financing the film.
Genres: Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1996-05-01
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Schlock! The Secret History of American Movies
Overview: Hollywood is a town of tinsel and glamour; but there is another Hollywood, a place where maverick independent exploitation filmmakers went toe to toe with the big guys and came out on top.
Genres: Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2001-04-02
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Vampires: Thirst for the Truth
Overview: A documentary that explores man's enduring fascination with the vampire legend by examining historical accounts, literary works, and as they are portrayed in film and television.
Genres: Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1996-01-01
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Population: 1
Overview: A defense contractor who somehow becomes the sole survivor of a nuclear holocaust. In his solitude, he traces the history of U.S. civilization in the 20th century through musical numbers.
Genres: Fantasy Music
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1986-09-24
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I Passed for White
Overview: A young woman falls in love and marries, but withholds from her husband information about her family.
Genres: Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1960-03-18
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Sex Kittens Go to College
Overview: Collins College needs a new department head for their science department, so Doctors Carter and Zorch consult Thinko, the campus computer, and come up with Dr. Mathilda West, who has degrees in lots of things, but turns out to be disruptively attractive as well.
Genres: Comedy
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1960-08-24
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Dracula: A Cinematic Scrapbook
Overview: A history of the famous vampire of books and movies, using film clips, previews and other methods.
Genres: Documentary Horror
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1991-01-01
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The Many Faces of Dracula
Overview: Hosted by Christopher Lee, this documentary examines the different actors who have portrayed Dracula over the years.
Genres: Documentary Horror
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2000-01-01
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The Big Operator
Overview: A power-mad union boss resorts to murder to eliminate witnesses scheduled to testify against him. The eclectic cast includes Mickey Rooney, Mamie Van Doren, Mel Torme, Jay North, Vampira, Charles Chaplin Jr., Jackie Coogan and Norman Grabowski.
Genres: Drama Crime
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1959-08-01
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Vampira: About Sex, Death and Taxes
Overview: Interviews with Maila Nurmi, who famously played the horror hostess Vampira
Genres: Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1995-09-29
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Vampira and Me
Overview: Though most people knew her as Vampira, a late-night, creature-feature host in Los Angeles, Maila Nurmi was so much more. From her relationships with James Dean and other Hollywood luminaries to her significant contributions to the eventual Goth craze, Nurmi was a multifaceted woman, with more than a few amazing stories to share. Having befriended Nurmi while she was still alive, Greene finds himself perfectly situated to give us the complete story on this fascinating individual, blending extensive interviews with remarkable found footage of Nurmi's long and varied career. Whether being groomed by a major Hollywood director or making a surprising foray into music, Nurmi proves herself to be so much more than a scream queen. Still, when it comes to snappy one-liners cracked at the stroke of midnight, it's certainly safe to say that no one did it better than Vampira.
Genres: Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2013-10-08
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Monsterama: A Tribute to Horror Hosts
Overview: Monsterama: A Tribute to Horror Hosts was a documentary focused on horror hosts; screened on the horror channel Monsters HD in 2004.
Genres: Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2004-07-02
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American Scary
Overview: A fond remembrance of and tribute to the uniquely American institution of the horror movie host.
Genres: Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2006-10-21
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James Dean: The First American Teenager
Overview: Stacy Keach narrates this documentary that chronicles the abbreviated life and career of iconic brooding bad boy James Dean, from his obscure early days working in television to his rise to stardom in films such as Rebel Without a Cause. Clips from Dean's movies are intermingled with candid interviews with the star's friends and Hollywood colleagues, including Natalie Wood, Sal Mineo, Sammy Davis Jr. and Dennis Hopper.
Genres: Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1975-09-30
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Crystal Lake Memories: The Complete History of Friday the 13th
Overview: Taking inspiration from Peter M. Bracke's definitive book of the same name, this seven-hour documentary dives into the making of all twelve Friday the 13th films, with all-new interviews from the cast and the crew.
Genres: Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2013-09-13
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Romance on the High Seas
Overview: Georgia Garrett is sent by jealous wife Elvira Kent on an ocean cruise to masquerade as herself while she secretly stays home to catch her husband cheating. Meanwhile equally suspicious husband Michael Kent has sent a private eye on the same cruise to catch his wife cheating. Love and confusion ensues along with plenty of musical numbers.
Genres: Comedy Romance
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1948-06-25
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Bungalow Invader
Overview: Horror short.
Genres: Comedy Horror
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1981-04-01
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