Vampira (Maila Nurmi) Cartoon Tribute (1998) by Stephen B Whatley
February 1st, 2008
Stephen B Whatley posted a photo:
A cartoon tribute card created for the birthday of actress Maila Nurmi (1921-2008), born in Finland; and sent to her Hollywood address in 1998; courtesy of the assistance of NY author, Rudolph Grey- who wrote Nightmare Of Ecstasy: The Life & Art of Edward D Wood Jr (1992).
Maila Nurmi had short-lived fame in the 1950s as ‘Vampira’, the gothic & exotic late night television hostess; and then a resurgence of interest and fame in the 1980s and 1990s when the cult of director Ed Wood hit its peaked. AS Vampira she starred, mute, in Wood’s B-movie classic Plan 9 From Outer Space (US1956); which she said she did not see at the cinema until she turned up at a 1980 Hollywood screening, at the beginning of its cult history She brought much eloquence, intelligence & humour - and glamour- to her interviews on several documentaries about Wood; including Flying Saucers Over Hollywood (US 1991) - her appearance on which inspired this drawing.
1998. Ink & crayon on embossed card.
Estate of Maila Nurmi, Hollywood,USA
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