# ELVIRA 40TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION

**Source:** Pinball News Website  
**Type:** article  
**Published:** 2021-10-26  
**Beat:** Pinball

**URL:** https://www.pinballnews.com/site/2021/10/26/elvira-40th-anniversary-edition

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## Analysis

Stern Pinball announced a limited 40th Anniversary Edition of Elvira's House of Horrors to commemorate 40 years of the Elvira character (1981–2021). Limited to 199 units with exclusive collectible features including paranormal purple paintwork, dagger shooter knob, signed trading card, signed memoir copy, and numbered metal plaques. Games scheduled for production in December 2021 with allocation handled by Stern.

### Key Claims

- [HIGH] Cassandra Peterson's Elvira character originated in 1981 at Los Angeles TV station KHJ. — _Article states: 'It was back in 1981 that Cassandra Peterson's Elvira persona came to life, when the struggling actress auditioned at local Los Angeles TV channel KHJ.'_
- [HIGH] Elvira has appeared in three pinball machines total: Elvira and the Party Monster, Scared Stiff, and Elvira's House of Horrors. — _Article explicitly lists: 'Over the following 40 years, her character has starred in three pinball machines – Elvira and the Party Monster, Scared Stiff and Elvira's House of Horrors.'_
- [HIGH] The original 2019 Elvira's House of Horrors Signature edition was limited to 50 units and included signed trading card and sofa material swatch. — _Article states: 'The latter of these was restricted to just 50 units and came with a signed trading card plus a swatch of material from Elvira's sofa.'_
- [HIGH] 40th Anniversary Edition is limited to 199 units with allocation determined by Stern, not available for individual pre-order. — _Article: 'With just 199 units available, Stern will decide the allocation of machines to their distributors.' Gary Stern's statement: 'Because there will be so few, we will allocate these games.'_
- [HIGH] Games will be produced in December 2021 for holiday season delivery. — _Article states: 'The games will be built in December for delivery in time for Christmas and the holiday season.'_
- [HIGH] 40th Anniversary Edition features will include Insider Connected QR code system. — _Article and Gary Stern's statement: 'All Elvira 40th games will be equipped with our new Insider Connected™ system, including bottom arch mounted QR reader.'_
- [HIGH] Cassandra Peterson personally signed copies of her memoir 'Yours Cruelly, Elvira' will be included with each 40th Anniversary Edition machine. — _Gary Stern's statement: 'She will autograph a copy of her Yours Cruelly, Elvira; Memoirs of the Mistress of the Dark to be included with each game.'_
- [HIGH] The 40th Anniversary Edition game Certificate of Authenticity will be signed by both Gary Stern and Cassandra Peterson. — _Gary Stern states: 'The game Certificate of Authenticity for this 40th Anniversary Edition game will be validated not only by a signature by me as Stern Chairman & CEO but also by Elvira herself signing.'_

### Notable Quotes

> "Elvira has been great for the pinball industry in general and Stern in particular. We welcome this unique opportunity of her 40th Anniversary entertaining people to make this very collectible limited 199 edition game. This 40th Anniversary Edition Elvira House of Horrors game is the most collectible model we have made."
> — **Gary Stern, Stern Pinball Chairman & CEO**, announcement section
> _Frames the 40th Anniversary Edition as Stern's most collectible machine to date, highlighting the strategic value and emotional investment in the Elvira license._

> "Because there will be so few, we will allocate these games. Your sales reps will contact you with pricing and allocations. Policies to specify a number will apply."
> — **Gary Stern**, announcement section
> _Confirms scarcity-driven allocation strategy and indicates FOMO-based distribution model; no public pre-order availability._

> "All Elvira 40th games will be equipped with our new Insider Connected™ system, including bottom arch mounted QR reader. Its worth repeating that Insider Connected allows players to interact with the game and this new network in many ways, providing new entertainment and engagement features."
> — **Gary Stern**, announcement section
> _Emphasizes Stern's technology integration and positions Insider Connected as a key value-add for new limited editions._

> "Of course this game will have our upgraded sound system, anti-reflection playfield glass, shaker motor, arted inside blades, and 1-199 Anniversary metal plaque."
> — **Gary Stern**, announcement section
> _Details premium build specifications and numbered serialization strategy for collectibility validation._

### Entities

| Name | Type | Context |
|------|------|---------|
| Stern Pinball | company | Manufacturer announcing and producing the 40th Anniversary Edition Elvira's House of Horrors. |
| Cassandra Peterson | person | Creator and performer of the Elvira character; signing autographed trading cards, memoir copies, and Certificate of Authenticity for each 40th Anniversary Edition machine. |
| Gary Stern | person | Stern Pinball Chairman & CEO making the official announcement; also signing Certificate of Authenticity on each 40th Anniversary Edition. |
| Elvira: Mistress of the Dark | product | Character IP created in 1981; basis for the Elvira pinball machine license. |
| Elvira's House of Horrors | game | 2019 Stern Pinball game; basis for the 40th Anniversary Edition release. |
| Scared Stiff | game | Classic pinball machine featuring Elvira character; one of three Elvira pinball games produced. |
| Elvira and the Party Monster | game | Early Elvira pinball machine; one of three Elvira-themed games in the IP's history. |
| Pinball Expo Chicago | event | October 27–30, 2021 venue for first public showing of 40th Anniversary Edition Elvira's House of Horrors. |
| Insider Connected | product | Stern Pinball's new networked system with QR code reader; included in all 40th Anniversary Edition machines. |
| Yours Cruelly, Elvira; Memoirs of the Mistress of the Dark | product | Cassandra Peterson's autobiography; signed copies included with each 40th Anniversary Edition machine. |
| KHJ | organization | Los Angeles TV station where Cassandra Peterson originated the Elvira character in 1981. |
| Hulu's Thirteen Nights of Elvira | product | Recent streaming content featuring Cassandra Peterson's Elvira character; demonstrates ongoing relevance of IP. |

### Topics

- **Primary:** Limited Edition Collectibility Strategy, Celebrity/Character IP Licensing, Scarcity-Driven Allocation Models
- **Secondary:** Insider Connected Technology Integration, Pinball Machine Anniversary Editions, Stern Pinball Product Launches

### Sentiment

**Positive** (0.85) — Announcement is celebratory and promotional, highlighting collectibility, exclusivity, and premium production values. No critical commentary or concerns raised. Tone emphasizes prestige and limited access as positive market signals.

### Signals

- **[event_signal]** 40th Anniversary Edition Elvira's House of Horrors to be unveiled at Pinball Expo Chicago (October 27–30, 2021), marking first public showing. (confidence: high) — Gary Stern's statement: 'We will show 40th Anniversary Edition Elvira House of Horrors for the first time at Pinball Expo in Chicago October 27-30.'
- **[licensing_signal]** Cassandra Peterson (original Elvira performer) deeply embedded in 40th Anniversary Edition production, including personal autographs on trading cards, signed memoir copies, and co-signature on Certificate of Authenticity; demonstrates celebrity-level IP control and involvement. (confidence: high) — Gary Stern: 'She will autograph a copy of her Yours Cruelly, Elvira; Memoirs of the Mistress of the Dark to be included with each game. The game Certificate of Authenticity...will be validated...also by Elvira herself signing.'
- **[market_signal]** 40th Anniversary Edition pricing and allocation withheld from public announcement; controlled dealer distribution suggests premium pricing tier above standard Elvira's House of Horrors variants. (confidence: high) — Article: 'No pricing information has been released either.' Gary Stern: 'Your sales reps will contact you with pricing and allocations.'
- **[announcement]** Official announcement of Elvira 40th Anniversary Edition limited to 199 units with exclusive collectible features including paranormal purple paintwork, dagger shooter knob, signed memoir, and numbered metal plaques. (confidence: high) — Full article announcement with Gary Stern's official statement; first public showing scheduled for Pinball Expo Chicago October 27–30, 2021.
- **[product_strategy]** 40th Anniversary Edition differentiates from standard 2019 Elvira's House of Horrors through exclusive cosmetic features (paranormal purple paintwork, dagger shooter knob), celebrity autographed content (signed memoir, signed trading card, co-signed CoA), and serialized numbering (1–199 metal plaque). (confidence: high) — Detailed feature list: dagger shooter knob, paranormal purple paintwork, signed memoir copy, signed trading card, 1–199 numbered metal plaque, Insider Connected system, mirrored backglass with 40th anniversary logo.
- **[business_signal]** Stern employing allocation-based scarcity strategy for high-value limited edition, restricting distributor pre-orders rather than open customer sales; positions 199 units as Stern's 'most collectible model' produced to date. (confidence: high) — Gary Stern: 'Because there will be so few, we will allocate these games. Your sales reps will contact you with pricing and allocations.' Article: 'Stern will decide the allocation of machines to their distributors.'
- **[technology_signal]** Insider Connected QR code system rolled out as standard feature on 40th Anniversary Edition and other new Stern releases; introduces networked interaction and operator management tools. (confidence: high) — Gary Stern: 'All Elvira 40th games will be equipped with our new Insider Connected™ system, including bottom arch mounted QR reader.' Article notes 'like all new Stern releases, it will include the Insider Connected QR code reader in the bottom apron.'

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## Transcript

The year 2021 marks the 40th anniversary of the creation of Elvira: Mistress of the Dark, and to celebrate Stern Pinball have released a special 40th anniversary edition of their Elvira’s House of Horrors game.

[![The 40th Anniversary Edition of Elvira's House of Horrors](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/games/elvira-40th-anniversary/01-elvira-40th-anniversary-547x1024.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/games/elvira-40th-anniversary/01-elvira-40th-anniversary.jpg)

The 40th Anniversary Edition of Elvira’s House of Horrors

It was back in 1981 that Cassandra Ashley Peterson’s Elvira persona came to life, when the struggling actress auditioned at local Los Angeles TV channel KHJ to present their late-night horror movies.

Over the following 40 years, her character has starred in three pinball machines – *Elvira and the Party Monster*, *Scared Stiff* and *Elvira’s House of Horrors*.

The most recent of these was from Stern Pinball in 2019 and it was available in three variants – Premium, Limited Edition and Signature. The latter of these was restricted to just 50 units and came with a signed trading card plus a swatch of material from Elvira’s sofa.

The new 40th Anniversary Edition is limited to 199 units and also comes with a signed trading card, but this model includes a special dagger shooter knob, ‘paranormal purple’ paintwork, a signed copy of Elvira’s memoirs and 40th anniversary branding on the backglass and cabinet artwork. In addition, like all new Stern releases, it will include the Insider Connected QR code reader in the bottom apron.

[![The Paranormal Purple paintwork and dagger shooter knob](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/games/elvira-40th-anniversary/02-elvira-40th-anniversary-1024x582.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/games/elvira-40th-anniversary/02-elvira-40th-anniversary.jpg)

The Paranormal Purple paintwork and dagger shooter knob

With just 199 units available, Stern will decide the allocation of machines to their distributors. No pricing information has been released either. The games will be built in December for delivery in time for Christmas and the holiday season.

[![The flyer for the game](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/games/elvira-40th-anniversary/03-elvira-40th-anniversary-663x1024.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/games/elvira-40th-anniversary/03-elvira-40th-anniversary.jpg)

The flyer for the game

Here’s how Gary Stern announced the new edition:

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| Stern Pinball didn’t exist until 5 years after Elvira, Mistress of the Dark, started her 40 year career appearing on television and in movies. In those 40 years she became and remains a pop culture, hosting B horror movies on her syndicated television show. Having appeared in hundreds of films, television shows and live appearances, Elvira recently stared in Hulu’s Thirteen Nights of Elvira. She has licensed and sold thousands and thousands of products. Now she has published her best selling autobiography, Yours Cruelly, Elvira; Memoirs of the Mistress of the Dark.  To honor Elvira’s 40 years, Stern is offering a very limited 199 game special 40th Anniversary Edition Elvira House of Horrors pinball game. The collectability of these 199 games will be augmented with and exclusive Elvira autographed trading card mounted to the game. She will autograph a copy of her Yours Cruelly, Elvira; Memoirs of the Mistress of the Dark to be included with each game. The game Certificate of Authenticity for this 40th Anniversary Edition game will be validated not only by a signature by me as Stern Chairman & CEO but also by Elvira herself signing.  This Elvira 40th Anniversary game will be dressed with mirrored backglass containing Elvira’s 40th Anniversary logo. Its armor and legs are being manufactured in custom Paranormal Purple Sparkle powder coat. We will produce the 40th Anniversary cabinet artwork on a hyper-chrome embossed surface. Elvira has given us her dagger to mold a customer Elvira Dagger Shooter Knob. Of course this game will have our upgraded sound system, anti-reflection playfield glass, shaker motor, arted inside blades, and 1-199 Anniversary metal plaque.  All Elvira 40th games will be equipped with our new Insider Connected™ system, including bottom arch mounted QR reader. Its worth repeating that Insider Connected allows players to interact with the game and this new network in many ways, providing new entertainment and engagement features. Operators will have many tools to increase location play and manage their games.  We will show 40th Anniversary Edition Elvira House of Horrors for the first time at Pinball Expo in Chicago October 27-30.  Production of this special and collectible 40th Anniversary Edition is scheduled for the Christmas holidays at the beginning of December. Because there will be so few, we will allocate these games. Your sales reps will contact you with pricing and allocations. Policies to specify a number will apply.  Elvira has been great for the pinball industry in general and Stern in particular. We welcome this unique opportunity of her 40th Anniversary entertaining people to make this very collectible limited 199 edition game. This 40th Anniversary Edition Elvira House of Horrors game is the most collectible model we have made. |

Stern Pinball’s announcement of the 40th Anniversary Edition of Elvira’s House of Horrors

_(Acquisition: raw_text, Enrichment: v1)_

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*Exported from Journalist Tool on 2026-04-13 | Item ID: 98c777e8-d001-49fd-b362-c94201bd50f4*