Customer Reviews

Elvira's Haunted Hills [VHS]

5 star:		(25)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(14)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

After a long (13 years) absence since her first motion picture (1988's Elvira, Mistress of the Dark) the wise cracking horror hostess is back. Now it's the mid 19th Century, the setting Transylvania, the star none other than Elvira. While en route to Paris, to star in "Yes, I Can Can," Elvira and her robust French maid Zou Zou find themselves in creepy mysterious castle Helsebus.

A foolish choice to hitch a ride on a stage coach lands them in Weird Central, where the family is cursed, the Master of the House (played by Rocky Horror's Richard O'Brien) is a lunatic, and Elvira apparently bears a striking (like a frying pan across the head) resemblance to the House's late lady, Elura who was said to have committed suicide exactly ten years to the day. However one is lead to believe foul play was involved, that one happens to be Elvira.

Can Elvira survive this creepy castle and its inhabitants for two full days and nights? Will she escape and make it to Paris? Or will she suffer the same fate of Elura Helsebus?

---

This movie pays fiendishly fun homage to the old Corman/Poe, Vincent Price flicks of the 1950's. Complete with dramatic sets, secret passages, curses, wall entombment and even a pit complete with full swinging (and actually dangerous just ask Elvira) pendulum.

While Elvira fans will find this gothic romp a hilarious hay ride, non Elvira fans are sure to find something to enjoy. Besides Elvira's gravity defying pair this movie actually proves to hold up against today's market of CGI laden movies, with Hollywood big names and multi million dollar budgets.

All said and done, Elvira's Haunted Hills are definitely worth surveying. Mr. Price would be proud.

When I first rented this over the weekend, I thought it was bad. I expected something more like Elvira's Mistress of the Dark movie, which is fabulous. However, as I started looking at the special features of this film, I realized what the film was trying to accomplish and the budget that they worked with and it was actually a very good film when looked at this way.

Haunted Hills is a parody of old Vincent Price/Roger Corman movies. If you are a fan of old-school horror, this film will make so much more sense for you. Because I had not seen these movies when watching the film I was ready to trash it even though I generally love Elvira!

My only qualm was the scenes with Elvira and the stable-hand, Adrian. They wanted to make a joke about dubbed movies (and coincidentally the actor did not speak a word of English) so he spoke all of his lines in his native Romanian tongue and while it was funny in the first scene they had together, I got frustrated with it by the end of the movie. I kept hoping he would suddenly start speaking in English though I was amused that they kept the bit going through the whole film (then I learned that there was a good reason for it!).

I think part of the difference between this film and the last one is that the first film probably had a higher budget. Some of the actors were working on no budget/low budget as a favor to Cassandra and the director. Having financial support can go a long way into the quality of a film.

That being said, this has got plenty of Elvrira and lots of boob jokes and boob shots. The performance by the actor playing Dr. Bradley Bradley was very good and I also enjoyed the actress playing Lady Hellsebus. I also liked the costumes, though there were different period styles combined together.

So, if you are looking for a very contemporary horror-esque comedy you are not going to get this movie. It's very cliche because it really is trying to be very cliche. Once you understand that, the movie will be so much more enjoyable.

Finally! After 14 years, Elvira's second feature film debuts. It's quite different from her first, but equally entertaining. Setting out to spoof some of her favorite horror films, Cassandra Peterson and her writing partner John Paragon fuse elements of the classic Roger Corman/Vincent Price/Edgar Allen Poe films The House of Usher, The Pit and the Pendulum and The Tomb of Ligea into a campy farce - perfect fodder for Elvira's unique talents.

Elvira recruited Rocky Horror's Richard O'Brien as her co-star, and he gives a great performance as Lord Hellsubus. Rounding out the cast are several members of L.A.'s Groundlings comedy troupe, Mary Scheer and Mary Jo Smith. Heather Hopper is terrific as Hellsubus's doomed sister, and Scott Atkinson does an amazing job as the two faced doctor with both an aristocratic and cockney British accent.

The sets are enormous and detailed. The cinematography is virtually flawless, and there are several very well done special effects (and Elvira comments on them in the film...). Of course, Elvira's campy quips and physical humor are the stars of the show. There's also a great running gag with the stableman's bad English dubbing. All in all, this is a long overdue and highly enjoyable adventure. Well worth checking out, especially if you enjoy Elvira's first film, or if you're a fan of the Roger Corman Poe films. You might also want to read the Elvira series of paperbacks(if you can find them...), also written by Cassandra Peterson and John Paragon...Elvira Transylvania 90210, Elvira Camp Vamp, and Elvira The Boy Who Cried Werewolf....they are a lot of fun too.

This movie is somewhat funny and you do see a lot of Elvira's "twin peeks", but it is not as great as her previous movie Mistress of the Dark. Mistress of the Dark is a cult classic and its worth purchasing, but this hunted hills movie is laying right on the borderline.

First off,I have been a fan of Elvira's since her first movie "Elvira Mistress of the Dark" came out. I have always admired the spunky character. I told a guy I was dating once that Elvira was my hero and he replied back to me that she's not even real. Who cares! The character Elvira is a role model to me and I really look up to the person behind that character. She's gorgeous, spunky, has a cheesy and charming sense of humor, and she speaks her mind! Simply put, she kicks ass! Now, with that being said, I was really saddened at some of the reviews I've read here.. not only is "Haunted Hills" being cut on, but the lovely Elvira is being cut on for her age, playing the character of Elvira at her age, and the way she looks... ???? WOW!!! I did watch "Haunted Hills" and I've watched it quite a few times actually. This movie is a "feel good movie" and I enjoyed it thoroughly! Elvira has an amazing charm and it shines in "Haunted Hills" as well. Elvira looks wonderful and I'm not entirely sure of how the comments of how "bad" she looked came about. I will say that the lighting did seem bad at times in small parts of the movie, but ANYONE, regardless of age, won't look their best in bad lighting. I've had friends of mine say that they had a bad picture taken of them and said it made them look haggard or terrible and it was because of bad lighting.. etc. Yes, Elvira looks fantastic compared to some actresses half her age. Does it sound like I'm trying to fend for Elvira? Not entirely. I'm just pointing out some facts and how harsh some of those comments were.

To move on, it's quite possible that some were expecting "Haunted Hills" to be something similar to her first movie, and there lies alot of the disappointment... but who am I to say. I applaud Elvira for taking it upon herself to see this movie made. It's the cheesiest humor (which is Elvira all over and it's always worked for her!), fantastic settings, and it's just an all around fun movie! I won't go on about the scenes and characters since a few have posted already in detail about them.

I'm not an expert on the Elvira news, but it seems she's kind of dropped out of the spotlight since this movie came out. I think she continues to make public appearances, but other than that, I'm not sure. Out of my curiosity one day to see what's new with her, I did a little search on the net and found that there are some admirers of hers trying to get her a star on The Hollywood Walk of Fame. This woman deserves one for all the pleasant years she has given laughter, inspiration, shared her talent, and for just being Elvira! To anyone that did or didn't like this movie.. my words would be simply this: We see what we want to see. Everyone's tastes are different and that is just that. I don't cut on anyone for not liking "Haunted Hills", but I applaud the ones that did. I will always keep this movie in my collection!

ELVIRA'S HAUNTED HILLS is the Mistress of the Dark's long-awaited followup to her beloved first time, 1988's ELVIRA, MISTRESS OF THE DARK. It has been well worth the wait, believe me!

In this loving parody of the Hammer and AIP gothic-horror films of the 60's, Elvira plays a busty entertainer circa 1851, who gets caught up in a tangle with the mysterious residents of the Castle Hellsubus. Vladimere Hellsubus (Richard O'Brien - THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW) takes a shying to Elvira when he discovers that she looks exactly like his dead wife Elura, who died under mysterious circumstances.

Together with her robust maid ZouZou (Mary Jo Smith), Elvira sets out to escape from Vladimere's evil house and pendulum, with her cunning tricks and her showstopping number "Le Music Hall".

Hilarious. Filmed entirely on location in Romania, the production values are lavish and Elvira looks as gorgeous as ever in the long-overdue sequel that will surely be relished by fans.

Also starring Scott Atkinson, Mary Scheer and Heather Hopper.

The DVD includes making-of featurette, trailer, Richard O'Brien interview and photo gallery. (Single-sided, single-layer disc).

Elvira shines just like she did in the previous movie. Visually, the film is stunning. First-rate lighting & sets. The plot is a bit thin (much like the b-movies she reviews). Elvira's red & white striped stockings do look a bit weird, but she's never been known for subtlety. The carriage scene (fellow actor getting a VERY close look at her cleavage) is also cute. Given, the "twin" concept has been done & redone over time, but it still works so I can't complain. Basically, if you liked the first movie you'll like this one -- if only because Cassandra Peterson carries the movie on sheer carisma.

if you saw the Vincent Price/Roger Corman films The House of Usher, The Pit and the Pendulum and The Tomb of Ligea, you have the basic idea of Elvirs's Haunted Hills

The laughes are few and so far apart that wonder when the comedy comes. Elvira is in her baudy, busty best. however her one liners seem stale in this comedy. Elvira is in Better form here than she was in her previous film, Elvira Mistress of the Dark

Rocky Horror Picture Show's Richard O'Brien whines and mugs for the camera too much as he plays Lord Vladimere Hellsubus.

The supporting cast of semi unknowns ham it up for camera with bit gags that are hit or miss.

If you like good satire mixed with bad one liners, this piece is for you. Vincent Price, who was a friend of Elvira, must be rolling in his grave..laughing at this send up of his work

Bennet Pomerantz AUDIOWORLD

If all of you remember Elvira's first movie, you are truly going to love this movie a lot (maybe better than the first movie). If your into comedy/horror and your a true fan of Elvira and her comedy type ways, then you will enjoy this film. This film is dedicated to the late Vincent Price (which the movie focuses on most of Price's classics) and Elvira does what she does best by hamming it up and poking fun with her "dark" humor ways. This film is truly a blast. Recommended to all Elvira fans!

This is a fun movie. Not as great as Elvira's first movie but still will have you wanting more. I actually bought this movie first and THEN went back and bought Mistress of the Dark. Haunted Hills is Fun,dark, sassy and a little bit sexy. Why the hell Hollywood hasn't used Elvira more i don't know. Worth buying from Amazon. I will watch it again.