In person: Cassandra Peterson and Midnight Mass co-hosts Peaches Christ and Michael Varrati.

On their wildly entertaining podcast Midnight Mass, co-hosts Peaches Christ and Michael Varrati serve hardcore adoration of their favorite cult movies and filmmakers. With episodes on the kindertrauma of Return to Oz (1985) and the films of John Waters, no movement, maker, or genre is off-limits.

This summer, Peaches Christ returns to the Academy Museum with her podcast co-host Varrati to kneel at the altar of the one and only Cassandra Peterson, the genius behind horror hostess Elvira, Mistress of the Dark, a legend of late-night history and a queer icon. Borne of the Los Angeles–based sketch comedy troupe The Groundlings, Peterson channeled her improv talents into her most indelible character, Elvira, whose cheery Valley Girl persona clashes with her over-the-top gothic styling for enduring comedic impact.

After the conversation, the museum will screen Peterson’s personal 35mm print of Elvira: Mistress of the Dark from the Academy Film Archive. Until then…unpleasant dreams!

Programmed and note by K.J. Relth-Miller.

Learn more at academymuseum.org.