The Little Shop of Horrors is a 1960 American horror-comedy film directed by Roger Corman. The film is notable for its blend of dark humor and horror elements, as well as for being produced on a very low budget. It was shot over just two days and one night, which became a part of its cult appeal. The film is one of Corman's best-known works and has since developed a strong cult following.
The story follows a hapless florist assistant who accidentally cultivates a man-eating plant that develops a taste for human blood. Little Shop of Horrors was later adapted into a stage musical in 1982, which itself was adapted into a popular 1986 film.
Plot[]
The film centers on Seymour Krelboin, a clumsy, down-on-his-luck assistant at Mushnick's Flower Shop, located in a rough part of Los Angeles. Seymour is constantly berated by his boss, Gravis Mushnick, and is hopelessly in love with his co-worker, Audrey Fulquard. To help the failing flower shop, Seymour presents a strange, exotic plant he has been cultivating, which he names Audrey Jr., after his crush.
To everyone's surprise, Audrey Jr. attracts a lot of business to the shop, but Seymour soon discovers that the plant thrives on human blood. Initially, Seymour feeds the plant drops of his own blood, but as it grows, Audrey Jr. demands larger quantities, eventually leading Seymour to murder. As the body count rises, Seymour becomes increasingly frantic, but the plant's demands continue, leading to a deadly conclusion.
The film slowly gained a cult following through word of mouth when it was distributed as the B movie in a double feature with Mario Bava's Black Sunday and later with Last Woman on Earth. The film's popularity increased with local television broadcasts, and the presence of a young Jack Nicholson, whose small role in the film has been prominently promoted on its home video releases.
Cast[]
- Jonathan Haze as Seymour Krelboin: The protagonist, an awkward and naive flower shop assistant.
- Jackie Joseph as Audrey Fulquard: Seymour’s love interest and co-worker at the flower shop.
- Mel Welles as Gravis Mushnick: The grumpy owner of the struggling flower shop.
- Dick Miller as Burson Fouch: A regular customer at the flower shop with an unusual appetite for flowers.
- Myrtle Vail as Winifred Krelboin: Seymour’s hypochondriac mother.
- Jack Nicholson as Wilbur Force: A masochistic dental patient in one of his earliest film roles.
The film also features a number of other characters who become victims of the hungry plant.
Reception[]
Upon its release, Little Shop of Horrors received mixed reviews but quickly gained a cult following due to its quirky premise, dark humor, and bizarre characters. Although it was initially dismissed as a B-movie, the film's charm, low-budget ingenuity, and memorable performances (including an early role for Jack Nicholson) earned it lasting popularity in the years following its release. The film has since been celebrated for its campy appeal and influence on the horror-comedy genre.
The 1960 version is now considered a cult classic, often shown at midnight screenings and celebrated by fans of Roger Corman’s work. Its legacy was solidified by the success of the stage musical adaptation in the 1980s, which introduced the story to a new generation of audiences.
Legacy and Adaptations[]
The original Little Shop of Horrors was a relatively obscure film before it was adapted into a hugely successful stage musical in 1982 by Howard Ashman and Alan Menken. The musical added catchy songs and a more developed storyline, and it quickly became a hit on Broadway.
In 1986, the musical was adapted into a film directed by Frank Oz, which featured Rick Moranis as Seymour and Ellen Greene as Audrey, with the plant (Audrey II) voiced by Levi Stubbs of The Four Tops. The 1986 film was both a critical and commercial success and is now one of the most beloved movie musicals of all time.
The 1960 film remains significant as the origin of the Little Shop of Horrors phenomenon, even if it is overshadowed by its later adaptations. Its charm and oddball humor continue to resonate with fans of cult cinema.
Soundtrack[]
The original 1960 film did not feature an elaborate musical score, relying on stock music to set the mood. However, the 1982 stage musical and the 1986 film adaptation introduced memorable songs such as "Suddenly Seymour," "Skid Row (Downtown)," and "Feed Me (Git It)," which became iconic numbers in musical theater.