In the Trees

Vampira, a.k.a. Maila Nurmi, ca. 1956

Hoping for gloom, Vampira puts up an umbrella on sunny day. She tells signature seekers, "I give epitaphs not autographs."

Dennis Stock, “Good Evening, I Am Vampira,” Life, June 14, 1954

Maila Nurmi, star of The Vampira Show, Hollywood, 1954 | Dennis Stock

Vampira, a.k.a. Maila Nurmi, ca. 1956

Vampira, a.k.a. Maila Nurmi, on the set of Plan 9 from Outer Space, 1956

Vampira, a.k.a. Maila Nurmi, ca. 1954

Vampira, a.k.a. Maila Nurmi, ca. 1956

Vampira, a.k.a. Maila Nurmi

“Vampira on a ‘spider search’ with a flickering candle. Her pet spider, Rollo, can never be found.” | via Life, Jun. 14, 1954

Vampira, a.k.a. Maila Nurmi, ca. 1956

Vampira, a.k.a. Maila Nurmi, ca. 1956