One of the most astonishingly beautiful starlet of the seventies was Barbara Leigh. Oh yes. With barely 10 motion pictures in her credits and some TV appearances, it’s a real shame that she didn’t became a more bigger star. Still, she’s remembered to this day as a near perfect female beauty, and many fans recall that she was a top Vampirella model (and the first), hence her inclusion right here in this tribute.

Barbara posed for now classic Vampirella magazine covers, sought-out collector’s items. In fact, it was announced in 1975 that she was cast as the heroine for a major movie produced by celebrated Hammer Films. But the studio was on the verge of collapse in the mid-seventies, and that project was never meant to be, even if big cheese Michael Carreras has promised a many pictures deal. This deception resulted in Barbara more and more distancing herself from the acting business. A real shame, because things were well on their way, as veteran Peter Cushing has already been cast and director John Hough was a strong possibility. Difficulties regarding who owned the rights of the characters were also a factor.

Even then, she’s still seen as the “Original Vampirella” and probably one of the best person to portray the role “live”. Cult Sirens will pay a more definitive homage to Barbara very soon.

Was the much anticipated movie version of the Vampirella comic book a piece of crap? I’m afraid it is, with Roger Daltrey as some sort of Dracula (?) slicing the ham a bit too thick. There’s also a scene that I still consider the worst special effect that I ever had the misfortune to witness in a motion picture: an amazing shot of a vampire bat. You’ll understand when seeing it.

But still, there was Talisa Soto in that costume. Was Talisa a good choice to portray the vampire heroine? I have no clue, as the script leaves her a bit too passive to my taste. Anyway, the sight of her remains awesome and there’s a perverse pleasure in watching Vampirella these days.

Of course, there was no franchise created after this movie’s dismal reviews and straight to video release. But who knows in these times of comic book adaptations craze if there’s still hope? Executed properly, being faithful to the core of the Vampirella mythos would make an amazing project.

Have a happy and safe Halloween!