I've never been much of a fan of musicals. I've never quite gotten how or why people would randomly start belting out apparently improvised songs to which everyone surrounding them somehow know all the words. But even I am completely captivated by "Little Shop of Horrors", with its Motown-esque numbers, stellar cast, and dark yet hilarious brand of humour.
Rick Moranis - showing off a surprisingly competent singing voice - takes the lead as down-on-his-luck uber-nerd Seymour Krelborn, the plant store assistant whose life is turned upside down by the arrival of a "mean green mother from outer-space". The newcomer in Seymour's life - who he names "Audrey II" after workmate and love-of-his-life Audrey (Ellen Greene) - attracts a sudden barrage of customers to the shop, but there's a catch. Audrey II has developed a taste for blood, and before too long Seymour's gonna have to feed him.
On top form is Steve Martin as the floppy-fringed dentist who, when not exercising his particularly painful line in tooth-extraction, is squeaky-voiced Audrey's less-than-doting boyfriend. Also popping up along the way are the late great John Candy as a wacko radio DJ, James Belushi as an advertising executive, Christopher Guest as an inquisitive customer, and Bill Murray in a riotous role as a masochistic dental patient.
Unfortunately, this current DVD edition doesn't contain the legendary alternate ending, which was pulled from the movie after horrifying test audiences with its' decidedly morbid outcome. An earlier edition of the DVD carried this rare conclusion as an extra feature, only to be pulled from the shelves after a copyright spat with producer David Geffen. The ending eventually used does work, however, and doesn't detract from what is a fantastic movie.
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
Hilarious, tacky black comedy from 1960 that may be the best film by B-picture master ... more
Roger Corman, other thanBucket of Blood, made about the same time with the same writer, Charles Griffith. Seymour (Jonathan Haze) is an assistant in a skid-row flower...
Postage & Packaging: £1.21 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
Seymour Krelbourne (Jonathan Haze) works at a struggling flower shop where he shows the ... more
owner Gravis Mushnick (Mel Welles) a plant hybrid he has been working on. Named Audrey II in honour of Audrey Fulgard (played by Jackie Joseph), the plant proves an...
Hilarious, tacky black comedy from 1960 that may be the best film by B-picture master ... more
Roger Corman, other thanBucket of Blood, made about the same time with the same writer, Charles Griffith. Seymour (Jonathan Haze) is an assistant in a skid-row flower...
Postage & Packaging: Free! Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours...
Advantages: A Cult Musical Classic Disadvantages: Not to everybodies taste.
arnoldhenryrufus 08.01.2009 (08.01.2009)
·
Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of LittleShop Of Horrors (DVD)