In 1954, Maila Nurmi shocked the world as sexy horror host Vampira on KABC. She rocketed to national, then worldwide stardom, then quickly faded ... although her character was a clear blueprint, much later, for Cassandra Peterson's "Elvira" character on TV and in the movies. Nurmi died in 2008.

In 2010 Off-Ramp contributor R.H. Greene, who became friends with Nurmi in her later years, told her story for Off-Ramp in a documentary called "Vampira and Me." (The radio doc became a film in 2012.)

Support for this podcast comes from Gordon and Dona Crawford, who believe that quality journalism makes Los Angeles a better place to live; and by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American people.

"I would run my sticky fingers across images that seemed to be beamed from some magical, alternative universe where people gave dinner parties and owned patio furniture." -- David Dean Bottrell's "Crafty Little Christmas" 

Every year, I'd put my name next to twenty toys in the JC Penny and Sears Christmas catalogs, and guess what ... every year I wouldn't get everything I wanted. And every years I was sorely disappointed. Big surprise. It took a long time before I woke up,  changed my ways, and discovered a lot more happiness on Christmas. 

The Christmas catalog played a slightly different role for actor/writer/teacher/Kentuckian/homosexual David Dean Bottrell, and this week, we're setting the proper mood for the season -- don't be greedy! -- by listening to his story "A Crafty Little Christmas," which he performed for "Once Upon a Christmas" in 2012. (We first broadcast it on Off-Ramp in 2013.)

Support for this podcast comes from Gordon and Dona Crawford, who believe that quality journalism makes Los Angeles a better place to live; and by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American people.

Off-Ramp theme music by Fesliyan Studios.

Phantograms; Keystone-Mast Collection; Projecting 3-D Ain't Free; Leaves of Photographs; Tim Sullivan; D.I.Y. 3-D; Reel-D; LA's First Family Of Photography; Julius Shulman; Take My Picture; Shooting History

Note from Off-Ramp Dear Listeners, Frank Stoltze is sitting in for John Rabe this week, and we're going to take you on the Off-Ramp Art Walk. We'll visit three notable exhibits in Los Angeles, a city that's become an international center for contemporary centers. Sit back and enjoy! ~ Queena and Frank Stoltze

Don't laugh! The comics are second in readership behind the front page of the newspaper. This week on Off-Ramp, we talk about the not-so-funny pages, learn about LA's society registers, and hear Tim Hawkinson's organ, now installed at the Getty. And by the way, thanks so much for your contribution during KPCC's Spring Fund Drive! -- John Rabe

My Story; The Whole Story; Tai Chi and Sleep; The Unsung Pelon; Harper Woods; Holy Gifts; Holy Icons; Oscar Honors; Oscar Shorts; Russian Pronouncer; Call Sheet

LA Phil Reaches Out; The Phil's Four Seasons ;Blacksmith Rising; The Golden Pig; The City of Mahagonny in Los Angeles; Bark Off; Transportation Trajectories; The Mayor of Gladys Park; Dragon Ball Z; LA Experience; Hip Hop; Call Sheet

Auntie Diluvium; LA River - Take Two; Take Three: Down By the LA River; Vija Celmins; Okies at the Getty; Astronauts and Cupids; Crack Time; Crossing Guard; Mighty Mo; Radio Lolly; Call Sheet; Paolo Nutini

Message from John Rabe With cold and flu season still upon us, we decided to re-run this show on germs. This week, hand washing, flu shots, and the new sneeze. And... oboist, super music agents and more -John

Rabe, baby; LAPD HQ; Populist Critique; Metergate; The View of Us Guys; Wither Jane?; ViewMaster; Paine in the Neck; To Protect and Surf; Strange New World; Poor Howard's Almanac