'Elvira Mistress of the Dark' Blu-ray Review

Originally announced back in January and scheduled for release at the end of April, I’m not sure exactly when Arrow Video’s new Elvira: Mistress of the Dark Blu-ray actually hit shelves. What I do know is that the classic ’80s comedy is currently available for purchase, and a copy recently showed up on my doorstep to review thanks to the fine folks at Arrow. Time to celebrate!

For those of you who are sadly unaware, Arrow Video is a bit like the Criterion Collection for genre flicks. Even so, seeing that they chose Elvira: Mistress of the Dark to receive their red carpet treatment made me pleasantly surprised. I’m definitely a child of the Elvira era, so watching her feature film debut – as the pop culture phenom made the leap from horror TV host – is part of my DNA.

But just because Elvira was mostly a product of the ’80s doesn’t mean her oeuvre should be relegated to the dustbin of history.

If you’re not familiar with the film, here’s a little plot reminder:

Having just quit her job as a Los Angeles TV horror hostess, Elvira receives the unexpected news that she’s set to inherit part of her great-aunt Morgana’s estate. Arriving in the small town of Fallwell, Massachusetts, to claim her inheritance, Elvira receives a less-than-enthusiastic reception from the conservative locals. Amongst them is her sinister uncle Vinny, who – unbeknownst to Elvira – is an evil warlock who secretly schemes to lay his hands on the old family spell book for his own nefarious ends…

The film itself is as gleefully goofy as it was when it was created over 30 years ago. However, I feel that time has rewarded Elvira, and jokes that may have made critics recoil for being too cheesy back then are now able to be viewed as campy classics and relics of a “simpler time.”

I’m not fully absolving this flick of every problematic element as viewed through an enlightened 2020 lens, but for the most part, the movie still holds up for fans of Elvira, ’80s comedies, and lightheartedly macabre fare.

The Arrow Video release raises Elvira’s screen debut to new heights, instantly solidified with new cover art from artist Sara Deck. (Arrow kindly includes a reversible insert for those who prefer the original art.) Not only that, but the special features certainly justify the purchase. Here’s a list to be reckoned with:

Brand-new restoration from a 4K scan of original film elements
High-definition Blu-ray (1080p) presentation
Original uncompressed stereo 2.0 audio
Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
Introduction to the film by director James Signorelli
2017 audio commentary with director James Signorelli, hosted by Fangoria editor emeritus Tony Timpone
2017 audio commentary with Patterson Lundquist, elviramistressofthedark.com webmaster and judge of the TV show The Search for the Next Elvira
Too Macabre – The Making of Elvira: Mistress of the Dark: Newly revised 2018 version of this feature-length documentary on the making of the film, including interviews with various cast and crew and rare never-before-seen archival material
Recipe for Terror: The Creation of the Pot Monster: Newly revised 2018 version of this featurette on the concept and design of the pot monster, as well as the film’s other SFX
Original storyboards
Extensive image galleries
Original U.S. theatrical and teaser trailers

Now, if you didn’t read the list above closely, you’re not getting one movie with this purchase, you’re actually getting two! Too Macabre – The Making of Elvira: Mistress of the Dark is a full-length production itself, full of juicy insights and behind-the-scenes stories. Though it could use a little tightening up in the editing room, this is a must-have for fans to learn such tidbits as:

The name “Uncle Vinny” was originally supposed to be played by Vincent Price, but he declined the part. The name was kept as an homage.
It’s hard to keep track of the cast who were fellow Groundlings cast members with Cassandra Peterson (Elvira).
As much as she respects the actors themselves, Elvira was not too pleased with the addition of the teenagers as characters in the movie, but they were insistently added by the studio.
Plus tons more!

What’s also great about the documentary is that they don’t just interview the stars, they interview seemingly everyone involved in the production, including FX sculptors and other rarely celebrated crew, so you get a broader and more in-depth feel to the movie than just a cast recollection. There are some repeat facts, but the audio commentary with Cassandra Peterson, Eddie McClurg, and John Paragon reminiscing together is just delightful.

Fans of Elvira: Mistress of the Dark should consider this Arrow Video release the definitive collection. And even if you’re new to the film, this is a great place to start and dig deeper as your interests demand. I can’t imagine a better lighthearted blast-from-the past to add to your collection for some much-needed escapism.