Maila Nurmi

Maila Nurmi

Born: December 11, 1922
Died: January 10, 2008
in Petsamo, Finland
Maila Elizabeth Syrjäniemi known professionally as Maila Nurmi, was a Finnish-American actress and television personality who created the campy 1950s character Vampira.

Movies for Maila Nurmi...

Vampira and Me
Title: Vampira and Me
Character: Herself
Released: October 8, 2013
Type: Movie
Though most people knew her as Vampira, a late-night, creature-feature host in Los Angeles, Maila Nurmi was so much more. From her relationships with James Dean and other Hollywood luminaries to her significant contributions to the eventual Goth craze, Nurmi was a multifaceted woman, with more than a few amazing stories to share. Having befriended Nurmi while she was still alive, Greene finds himself perfectly situated to give us the complete story on this fascinating individual, blending extensive interviews with remarkable found footage of Nurmi's long and varied career. Whether being groomed by a major Hollywood director or making a surprising foray into music, Nurmi proves herself to be so much more than a scream queen. Still, when it comes to snappy one-liners cracked at the stroke of midnight, it's certainly safe to say that no one did it better than Vampira.
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Crystal Lake Memories: The Complete History of Friday the 13th
Title: Crystal Lake Memories: The Complete History of Friday the 13th
Character: Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
Released: September 13, 2013
Type: Movie
Taking inspiration from Peter M. Bracke's definitive book of the same name, this seven-hour documentary dives into the making of all twelve Friday the 13th films, with all-new interviews from the cast and the crew.
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Vampira: The Movie
Title: Vampira: The Movie
Character: Herself
Released: October 31, 2006
Type: Movie
Vampira The Movie chronicles the story of Malia "Vampira" Nurmi living on the very edge of show business and her rise to celluloid cultdom 50 years later. Her big break came in 1954 when she played the "glamour ghoul" Vampira, emerging from the mist to greet viewers of obscure horror movies on the new medium - television. Her newfound fame led to friendships with Marlon Brando, James Dean and Anthony Perkins. But Vampira's show was abruptly cancelled. Nurmi appeared as Vampira again in the 1959 low-budget horror / sci-fi film, Plan 9 from Outer Space, directed by Edward D Wood Jr. and often dubbed "the worst film of all time." But you can't keep a good vampire down and Nurmi's character rose from the dead again in 1993's Ed Wood, directed by Tim Burton and starring Johnny Depp. The movie renewed interest in Maila Nurmi and she has since achieved a Bettie Page-like cult status.
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American Scary
Title: American Scary
Character: Herself / 'Vampira'
Released: October 21, 2006
Type: Movie
A fond remembrance of and tribute to the uniquely American institution of the horror movie host.
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Monsterama: A Tribute to Horror Hosts
Title: Monsterama: A Tribute to Horror Hosts
Character: Self
Released: July 2, 2004
Type: Movie
Monsterama: A Tribute to Horror Hosts was a documentary focused on horror hosts; screened on the horror channel Monsters HD in 2004.
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Schlock! The Secret History of American Movies
Title: Schlock! The Secret History of American Movies
Character: Herself
Released: April 2, 2001
Type: Movie
Hollywood is a town of tinsel and glamour; but there is another Hollywood, a place where maverick independent exploitation filmmakers went toe to toe with the big guys and came out on top.
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The Many Faces of Dracula
Title: The Many Faces of Dracula
Character: Vampire Girl (archive footage)
Released: January 1, 2000
Type: Movie
Hosted by Christopher Lee, this documentary examines the different actors who have portrayed Dracula over the years.
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I Woke Up Early the Day I Died
Title: I Woke Up Early the Day I Died
Character: Woman in Hotel Lobby
Released: September 13, 1998
Type: Movie
A mental patient escapes from the looney bin in drag, robs a bank, and goes on the lam!
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The Haunted World of Edward D. Wood, Jr.
Title: The Haunted World of Edward D. Wood, Jr.
Character: Herself
Released: May 1, 1996
Type: Movie
Often called the worst director in the history of cinema, Ed Wood is nevertheless a beloved figure among cult-film aficionados for his oddball productions. This documentary takes a look back at Wood's unique career at the margins of 1950s Hollywood, speaking to those who loved him and hated him. Bela Lugosi Jr. discusses his father's work in the abysmal "Plan 9 From Outer Space," while a Baptist reverend recalls how he was tricked into financing the film.
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Vampires: Thirst for the Truth
Title: Vampires: Thirst for the Truth
Character: Self
Released: January 1, 1996
Type: Movie
A documentary that explores man's enduring fascination with the vampire legend by examining historical accounts, literary works, and as they are portrayed in film and television.
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Vampira: About Sex, Death and Taxes
Title: Vampira: About Sex, Death and Taxes
Character: Self
Released: September 29, 1995
Type: Movie
Interviews with Maila Nurmi, who famously played the horror hostess Vampira
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Flying Saucers Over Hollywood: The 'Plan 9' Companion
Title: Flying Saucers Over Hollywood: The 'Plan 9' Companion
Character: Herself
Released: January 1, 1992
Type: Movie
A documentary detailing the making of the cult favorite "Plan 9 from Outer Space," featuring interviews with cast members and prominent filmmakers about the film, its lasting legacy, and its creator, Edward D. Wood Jr.
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Dracula: A Cinematic Scrapbook
Title: Dracula: A Cinematic Scrapbook
Character: Vampire Girl (archive footage)
Released: January 1, 1991
Type: Movie
A history of the famous vampire of books and movies, using film clips, previews and other methods.
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The Incredibly Strange Film Show: Ed Wood Jr.
Title: The Incredibly Strange Film Show: Ed Wood Jr.
Character: Self
Released: October 13, 1989
Type: Movie
Touted as the worst director of all time, legendary Plan 9 from Outer Space creator Ed Wood's strange life and even stranger movies are covered. Featuring interviews with key family and friends, including Maila Nurma ("Vampira"). The Rocky Horror-inspired live musical adaptation of Plan 9 is also touched on.
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Title: The Incredibly Strange Film Show
Character: Self
Released: August 5, 1988
Type: TV
A series of documentaries focusing on the world of psychotronic movies; focusing on the lives of filmakers such as Hershell Gordon Lewis, Saim Raimi, Doris Wishman, Ed Wood Jr, and Tsui Hark. Covers weird movie genres, like Mexican wrestling movies and Hong Kong horror films.
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Population: 1
Title: Population: 1
Character: Mother (uncredited)
Released: September 24, 1986
Type: Movie
A defense contractor who somehow becomes the sole survivor of a nuclear holocaust. In his solitude, he traces the history of U.S. civilization in the 20th century through musical numbers.
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James Dean: The First American Teenager
Title: James Dean: The First American Teenager
Character: Self
Released: September 30, 1975
Type: Movie
Stacy Keach narrates this documentary that chronicles the abbreviated life and career of iconic brooding bad boy James Dean, from his obscure early days working in television to his rise to stardom in films such as Rebel Without a Cause. Clips from Dean's movies are intermingled with candid interviews with the star's friends and Hollywood colleagues, including Natalie Wood, Sal Mineo, Sammy Davis Jr. and Dennis Hopper.
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The Magic Sword
Title: The Magic Sword
Character: The Hag / Sorceress
Released: April 1, 1962
Type: Movie
The son of a sorceress, armed with weapons, armour and six magically summoned knights, goes on a quest to save a princess from a vengeful wizard.
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Sex Kittens Go to College
Title: Sex Kittens Go to College
Character: Etta Toodie
Released: August 24, 1960
Type: Movie
Collins College needs a new department head for their science department, so Doctors Carter and Zorch consult Thinko, the campus computer, and come up with Dr. Mathilda West, who has degrees in lots of things, but turns out to be disruptively attractive as well.
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I Passed for White
Title: I Passed for White
Character: Girl Poet (uncredited)
Released: March 18, 1960
Type: Movie
A young woman falls in love and marries, but withholds from her husband information about her family.
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The Big Operator
Title: The Big Operator
Character: Gina
Released: August 1, 1959
Type: Movie
A power-mad union boss resorts to murder to eliminate witnesses scheduled to testify against him. The eclectic cast includes Mickey Rooney, Mamie Van Doren, Mel Torme, Jay North, Vampira, Charles Chaplin Jr., Jackie Coogan and Norman Grabowski.
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Plan 9 from Outer Space
Title: Plan 9 from Outer Space
Character: Vampire Girl
Released: July 22, 1959
Type: Movie
In California, an old man grieves the loss of his wife and on the next day he also dies. However, the space soldier Eros and her mate Tanna use an electric device to resurrect them both and the strong Inspector Clay that was murdered by the couple. Their intention is not to conquest Earth but to stop mankind from developing the powerful bomb “Solobonite” that would threaten the universe. When the population of Hollywood and Washington DC sees flying saucers on the sky, a colonel, a police lieutenant, a commercial pilot, his wife and a policeman try to stop the aliens.
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The Beat Generation
Title: The Beat Generation
Character: Poetess
Released: July 3, 1959
Type: Movie
A group of beatniks unwittingly harbor a serial rapist. A cop goes after him after his wife is attacked.
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Romance on the High Seas
Title: Romance on the High Seas
Character: Ship Passenger (uncredited)
Released: June 25, 1948
Type: Movie
Georgia Garrett is sent by jealous wife Elvira Kent on an ocean cruise to masquerade as herself while she secretly stays home to catch her husband cheating. Meanwhile equally suspicious husband Michael Kent has sent a private eye on the same cruise to catch his wife cheating. Love and confusion ensues along with plenty of musical numbers.