I consider this film far superior to the 1980s Elvira film that most people remember. Elvira, Mistress of the Dark was about how Elvira moves into a dead relative’s home and has to cope with narrow-minded middle America. Elvira herself is always a treat and quick-witted, but I just don’t think much of that picture. The plot of Elvira’s Haunted Hills is far more suited to her character, who finds herself in an 1800s story that is clearly cribbing the best parts of Roger Corman’s Edgar Allan Poe films, from The House of Usher to The Pit and the Pendulum. Arriving at the Helsubus mansion, theatrical performer Elvira tries to uncover mysteries and get out alive.

There are two wonderful reasons to watch this movie for Halloween.

Ahem. There are two wonderful reasons to watch this movie for Halloween:

1. While not actually in any way scary, it pays homage to many old horror film tropes while giving Elvira ample (I don’t know why that word came to mind) opportunities to make fun of them.
2. Co-star Scott Atkinson died this year. He was largely a TV actor with a lot of single-appearance guest roles (the biggest one you may remember being Roger Danish, the casting director on an episode of “Arrested Development” who auditions Tobias but hires Lindsay when she gets excited about the fire sale). This rare film role gave him a chance to shine and I think he makes the movie as Dr. Bradley, the picture of aplomb. With his rich, refined Shere Khan voice, he is evocative of Vincent Price without ever once doing a straight-up impression of him. As Vincent Price was the star of those old Edgar Allan Poe films, having a character similar to him helps this movie. And, of course, he’s a great straight man for Elvira, delivering much of the exposition to which she can given witty answers.
   Scott Atkinson’s passing was only noted by Cassandra Peterson, a/k/a “Elvira” herself, on her Facebook page. His birthday isn’t even given on his IMDb page, but I’d estimate him to be 55 given he graduated college in 1988.

Of course, Elvira’s a good decade and a half older by this one, but she still looks great in her forties. Other members of the cast include Richard O’Brien (of Rocky Horror Picture Show fame) as Vladimere Hellsubus, Elvira’s fellow Groundling Mary Scheer as the woman of the house, and Elvira’s gal Friday Zou Zou is played by Unibrau from Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me.

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I can only say I have a soft spot for this film. Most people weren’t willing to watch an Elvira movie circa 2001-2002, but I gave this one a try and was glad I did.