Elvira, Mistress of the Dark, has been rocking Halloween 365 days a year for more than three decades. And it seems that the woman behind the campy vampirish persona may have some family roots to thank for that plunge into a costumed life (and plunging neckline) that has made her a lasting international success.

At 60, Cassandra Peterson has practically become the Santa Claus of the 31^st of October, so it was surprising to get a one-on-one conversation with her in costume last Thursday.