ELVIRA (MISTRESS OF THE DARK), real name Cassandra Peterson, undated but vintage key ring featuring the same sexy but elegant 1.9 x 1.25-inch sharp color photo on front and back, encased in lucite which is softly rounded at front and back; key ring is silver-colored and very bright, no maker's mark; absolutely like new condition, no scratches or other signs of wear/usage.

I've had this for around 15 years and don't recall how I acquired it. Having lived in L.A. since the end of 1978, I was aware of Elvira's long run as "Mistress of the Dark, the sexy, black leather-clad, smart and funny host of a local TV station's late night "B" horror movie screenings (which began is 1981) and was rebooted for 4 more years in 2010. I samples episodes for most of its life. It was called ELVIRA'S MOVIE MACABRE and her character became an overnight sensation. She co-produced, co-wrote and starred in 2 films - both horror-comedies, released in 1988 and 2001. After reading more about her on Wiki and IMDB, I'm more impressed than ever. At age 17 she was born in Manhattan, KS in 1951 and raised in Colorado Springs. She became the youngest showgirl in Vegas history as part of the Dunes Hotel's VIVE LES GIRLS. A natural redhead who could sing and dance, she followed advice from Elvis Presley to go to Europe and establish herself. She did and found success, mostly in lesser Italian films but also including a small role in Federico Fellini's ROMA (1972). She toured Europe as lead singer for an Italian rock band before returning to Hollywood, where she spent more than 4 years with the fabled improv comedy troupe The Groundlings. ELIVRA success followed, and she has never stooped working, including for Hulu, Shudder, and Netflix. And she's a modern heroine as well, quitting the series after a new owner sexually harassed her, and spending decades advocating for animal rightys and HIV/AIDS prevention.

There are no exact matches on eBay. I examine the other key rings listed, and they look cheaper, including presentations of Elvira in S&M outfits with a whip in hand. If you're a fan, my scarce key ring is the prize.

The Buy-It-Now price of $16.00 includes shipping bubble-wrapped in a small cardboard box inside a small padded envelope via media mail, which takes around 7 days with tracking, less in SoCal.