JournalNow.com: Veggin' Out

Contrary to a popular stereotype, vegetarians are not all champions of self-denial, pathetically munching a sprout on the sidelines while watching the omnivores have all the culinary fun. Instead, the vegetarians we know love good food and know where to get it. They aren't about to settle for a bland meal, either at home or at a restaurant.

Vampira’s Legacy

You may have seen in the news that Maila Nurmi, the actress known for her TV horror-hostess character Vampira and her role in Ed Wood’s classic Plan 9 From Outer Space, died on January 10. She was 86 years old.

According to her Web site, “In lieu of flowers, anyone wishing to make a donation in Maila’s name may contact the Much Love Animal Rescue at http://www.muchlove.org/index.php”

So Vampira appears to have been firmly a part of the tradition of animal-friendly horror queens. Her rival Elvira (Cassandra Peterson) has long been a supporter of animal rights, and is a once and (she hopes) future vegetarian. (See the Oct. 11, 2007, Veggin’ Out post for more from Elvira.) Linda Blair, of Exorcist fame, is a vegan and animal advocate, as is Linnea Quigley of Return of the Living Dead.

I wonder if there is some link between these roles and animal advocacy? Perhaps it is as Quigley says in a Vegetarian Journal article, “When asked about the movie industry, she replied that she’s found it to be ‘more animal friendly. ... They seem to have a more sensitive nature.’”

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By Julie Harris on 01/16/2008 (3:55 pm)