In 1981, Cassandra Peterson became "horror hostess" for Los Angeles television station KHJ. The show was called "Movie Macabre" and proved to be the beginning of her career as the now famous Elvira, the vampy Mistress of the Dark. The program became syndicated the next year throughout the country. Twenty years later, she's still vamping and camping it up.

A transcript follows.

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Washington, D.C.: So what is your message to all the Halloweeners out there this year?

Cassandra Peterson: Have a safe, insane Halloween!

Alexandria, Va: I just wanted to say how much I love Elvira: Mistress of the Dark, and was wondering when we can expect to see your next movie?

Cassandra Peterson: My next movie, Elvira's Haunted Hills, will be coming out next fall. Check elvira.com for details and a sneak peek.

NW, DC: Do you have a TV show now? Do you like doing television?

Cassandra Peterson: I love doing TV. No current show now but working on one. However, check out AMC for my special this week called Bride of Monster Mania.

Silver (Bullet) Spring: What's your favorite Halloween movie?

Cassandra Peterson: Of course, Elvira, Mistress of the Dark, is my favorite all-time Halloween classic. But some of my other favorites are American Werewolf in London, The Hunger, Cat People and my favorite all-time movie classic, Plan 9 From Outer Space.

D.C.: Elvira,

You have such a huge fan base in the gay community. To what do you attribute this?

Keep on rocking sister!

Cassandra Peterson: Probably because I learned everything I know: how to walk, talk and dress from gay men. I sometimes feel like I was raised by a pack of wild drag queens.

Silver Spring, Md.: Hi Cassandra,

Glad to see that you are still going strong. I watched your show on KHJ faithfully and bought the old fan club kit back then.

Hope you're still enjoying yourself -- you certainly have entertained many, many people over the course of your career (so far!).

Cassandra Peterson: Thanx. This year's my 20th anniversary and I'm still "hanging" in there.

Manassas, Va.: Are you married? Available?

Cassandra Peterson: Yes, Cassandra has been married for 20 years. But Elvira has never married. She would love to be "tied down" however.

Dupont Circle: Elvira,

Just wanted to let you know the "Elvira, Mistress of the Dark" is one of my all-time favorite movies. You are truly a gifted comedienne! When are you doing another film? Please say it is soon!

Cassandra Peterson: Check out elvira.com for a sneak peek at my new movie, Elvira's Haunted Hills. (Coming next fall.)

Alexandria, Va: Weren't you in Playboy? When was that? I need to go look up that issue again.

Cassandra Peterson: You can see a fantasy picture of Elvira in the October 2001 issue of Playboy painted by the artist Olivia.

Arlington, Va.: What's your favorite Halloween song?

Cassandra Peterson: Haunted House by my favorite artist, Elvira. (Available through Rhino records or elvira. com)

Cassandra Peterson: Plug, plug, plug ...

Boston, Mass.: Hello Cassandra,

We run a web site (Castle Arcana) that has a "Registry of Unstable Burials" ... a way for people to contribute their stories of ghost sitings. We get lots of submissions, and while some are obviously fakes, many are quite creepy.

My question: have you ever seen a ghost? Do you know people who have had ghostly encounters?

Thanks, and happy hauntings.

Cassandra Peterson: I've had quite a few ghostly experiences since my prior residence had been home to three untimely deaths. Had to have an exorcist to come in and help me out several times. Sold the house to Brad Pitt. (Hope he's having fun.)

Alexandria, Va.: Hi there,: I just have to say that you have the best one liner in a movie EVER.

The line: "Revenge is better than Christmas."

Cassandra Peterson: Thanx. Hopefully, my new movie will keep you supplied with fresh one liners for the next decade.

Ballston, Va.: Do you have 1 black dress that you always wear or do you have a closet full of 7, one for each day of the week?

Cassandra Peterson: I have even more than seven. Mostly the same style, however, some shorter, some longer, some with sparkles and this year, even an Elvira gown made out of sequined camouflage. Perfect for the times.

Transylvania: How much of you is there in Elvira, and how much is just a character?

Cassandra Peterson: People who know me well say there's a lot more of me in the character than there should be. I think my personality from when I was a teenager comes through in the character. (Thank heavens I'm much more mature now.)

Mechanicsville, Md.: Have you seen the new Hannibal movie? And if so, what did you think?

Cassandra Peterson: Did not see it. Those types of movies are not my glass of chianti.

Pittsburgh, Pa.: How long does it take you to get ready in the morning?

Cassandra Peterson: It takes me, Cassandra, forever. Elvira just wakes up looking that way. She's a natural beauty.

Virginia.: Do you see yourself as a sex symbol? And what would you reply to mothers, women and feminists?

Cassandra Peterson: I see Elvira as a sex symbol, however, in my opinion, she's a wonderful role model. Stands up for what she believes, doesn't take any guff from men and isn't ashamed of her physical attributes.

Silver Spring, Md.; Hi Cassandra: First off, Elvira is the coolest character ever -- period. And second, what's your favorite part of being her?

Cassandra Peterson: Thanx, you have good taste. My favorite part of being Elvira is being able to say and do things that I normally couldn't get away with without getting slapped.

Rosslyn: Elvira, you are a stitch! What is your secret to a fabulous body? Is it good genes or do you workout like a fiend and eat nothing?

Cassandra Peterson: The secret is lots of "exorcising" and drinking plenty of holy water. It's also important to avoid having ugly parents.

Sunnyvale, Calif.: What are your thoughts and feelings on the Internet? Do you use it often?

Cassandra Peterson: Absolutely, check out elvira.com where you can see for yourself how much I use it. Everything there you ever wanted to know about Elvira and probably some things you don't want to know.

Cassandra Peterson: Gotta run darlings. Have a safe, insane Halloween and ... unpleasant dreams.

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