Elvira's Haunted Hills (2001) Reviews

• Classic Tribute

  RicanRic2004-08-21

  Elvira! What can one say? Well for starters, this movie is a wonderful tribute to one of the Kings of horror and suspense films – Vincent Price. I think he would have found this tribute to be hilarious and well representative of the genre he so magnificently sharpened through the 40-70's. This take was filmed in Romania on an admittedly `low' budget. Of course, ultimately, this is one of the things that make this movie a classic. Elvira is at the top of her game in this movie. Having finally gotten a gig in Paris, Elvira and her maid (unpaid for quite some time and, showing the attitude of someone who hasn't been…) are on the way to Paris to open the act when they get sidestepped in Romania. To any fans of Vincent Price films, the rest of the story is a combination of such thrillers as `Pit & the pendulum' & `House of Ushers' with a taste of our heroine Elvira tossed in. Check out the Herculean translation job used with the Fabio-like `Stable-Stud'. Fans of Mad TV will recognize Mary Scheer (Cabana Chat) as the the adulteress Lady Ema Hellsubus. The movie boasts a terrific - albeit short - musical number which tells the story of Elvira's past. It's a wonderful tribute to the Paris Can-Can. Overall, this movie will be enjoyed by fans of Vincent Price or Elvira. You'll find yourself laughing, snickering and remembering those scary films of your childhood!

• GREAT SUCCESSOR TO THE ORIGINAL MOVIE

  jasonpaulcollum2001-07-22

  I managed to catch a sneak-preview of this film, which is an entirely new feature, not a sequel, while it was still in post-production. For as wonderfully hysterical and charming as it appeared in its rough form, I can't wait to see the final result! A campy, lighthearted send up of the Vincent Price/Roger Corman/ Edgar Allan Poe/ Hammer horror movies from the 1960's, it follows true to both those films look and tone. Most of the film seems to take notice of THE PIT AND THE PENDULUM, but there are bits spoofing other films, plus plenty of original material as well. Most delightful, in addition to Elvira's newest dance number, is the budding romance between the Mistress of the Dark and a hunky care taker whose voiced-over words (deliberately) never match his mouth. A hoot. Additionally, The Divine Miss E lets the boob jokes run wild as expected and you can just SEE how much fun the cast had making the movie. Demand to see it in theaters! It's worth it!

• A great second installment.

  spoogy2003-07-15

  It seems that all of the negative comments about this film are based on the fact that most of the jokes are old. That's the point, isn't it? Elvira is supposed to be campy, and so is this movie. This movie shines because Peterson's performance is, as always, superb. Her timing and gleeful delivery make the film impossible for anyone with an appreciation for the subject matter to resist. The only possible complaint that a fan may have is that, by placing the character out of the ordinary, she becomes somehow less extraordinary, and feels almost normal in comparison to her surroundings. Even then, though, she's hilarious. As for claims that it was too bad for a major studio, well, that's really an impossibility, isn't it? The films Elvira hosts are nearly always major studio releases. The problems with shopping this movie around to studios and distributors is that the movie is completely built around the character, but the industry would likely only have been able to pay Peterson as an actress and writer, in spite of the fact that her copyrights are the basis of the film.

• Fun!

  preppy-32002-06-16

  An affectionate (and dead on) parody of Roger Corman horror films and those Hammer horror films. Elvira and her maid are traveling to Paris for a show. Unfortunately in Romania they get waylaid in a creepy castle with mysterious characters and going ons. Basically the plot is a combo of Corman's "House of Usher" and "The Pit and the Pendulum" with huge dollops from Hammer films thrown in. Every single cliche in those films is trotted out and hilariously torn apart. Still it's not vicious...just fun. Also the film has a PG-13 rating so the humor is pretty tasteful. Some of the one-liners from Elvira are hysterical and there's even a song and dance number which stops the show. Also the "stable stud" with his purposeful awful dubbing is a scream! Cassandra Peterson is just perfect as Elvira. Richard O'Brien goes all the way over the top doing a mean Boris Karloff impersonation. Actually, all the cast plays it over the top but it totally fits the material. Also there's beautiful, atmospheric settings and a Hammeresque score to top it all off. Only the ending is a bit of a let down. Still, this is well worth catching. A must see!!!!!

• Must have for Elvira devotees

  Miseri2002-10-21

  Well, I must admit I was eagerly anticipating this release. I was especially psyched to see Richard O Brien making an appearance as Lord Hellsubus. I thought that the first movie surpassed Haunted Hills, however, the more I watch Haunted Hills, the more it grows on me. I was so happy to see that Elvira is as beautiful as ever---truly an icon. I really like noticing more and more Poe references each time I watch-- Ligeia (Elvira/Elura), Morella (buried alive), House of Usher (castle's demise), the Black Cat/Cask of Amontillado (being walled up), and of course, the Pit and the Pendulum. I really loved the musical number "Life Is a Music Hall" (and i thought Elvira sang better in this one than in "Here I am"). Oh...and I recommend buying this movie...Cassandra Peterson financed much of it herself!!! Elvira's still got it!