The Little Shop of Horrors

Plot

Seymour Krelboined, a clumsy and socially awkward botany enthusiast, works at Mushnik's Skid Row Florists in downtown Los Angeles where he harbors a secret crush on his beautiful co-worker Audrey. After developing a mysterious plant during a solar eclipse, Seymour names it Audrey Jr. and discovers it has an unusual appetite for human blood and flesh when it accidentally feeds on a customer's finger. As the plant grows larger and more demanding, Seymour finds himself luring victims to feed the increasingly voracious plant, which brings fame and fortune to the failing flower shop. The situation spirals out of control as Audrey Jr. develops the ability to speak and demands more victims, leading Seymour down a dark path of murder and moral compromise. In the end, after feeding the plant to satisfy its growing hunger, Seymour is consumed by Audrey Jr. himself, leaving behind only a small sprout to continue the cycle of horror.

Historical Background

Released in 1960, The Little Shop of Horrors emerged during a transitional period in American cinema and culture. The late 1950s and early 1960s saw the decline of the Hollywood studio system and the rise of independent filmmakers like Roger Corman who could produce films quickly and cheaply for the drive-in theater market. The film reflected the growing counter-culture sensibility that would explode later in the decade, with its skewering of consumerism and American ambition. The setting in Skid Row also captured attention on urban poverty and the underbelly of American prosperity during the post-war boom. The film's blend of horror and comedy anticipated the changing tastes of younger audiences who were becoming more sophisticated and cynical about traditional genre conventions. Released the same year as Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho, it contributed to the evolution of horror cinema toward more psychological and socially conscious themes.

Making Of

The production of The Little Shop of Horrors is legendary in Hollywood for its extreme efficiency and creativity under constraints. Roger Corman, known as the 'King of the B-Movies,' conceived the project after being challenged to make a film quickly using existing sets. The cast and crew worked around the clock, with many scenes being shot in single takes due to time constraints. The plant effects were created using simple but effective methods - a combination of rubber, foam, and string manipulation, with different sized plants used for different stages of growth. The dialogue was often improvised, with Charles B. Griffith feeding lines to actors off-camera. The famous dental scene with Jack Nicholson was largely ad-libbed, showcasing Nicholson's early comedic talent. The film's rapid production became a case study in independent filmmaking efficiency, with Corman demonstrating how to create entertainment value despite severe limitations.

Visual Style

The cinematography by Arch R. Dalzell was remarkably efficient given the film's rapid production schedule. Shot in black and white, the film uses high-contrast lighting typical of low-budget horror films of the era, but with a comedic twist that subverts genre expectations. The camera work is straightforward and functional, focusing on clear storytelling rather than stylistic flourishes, which was necessary given the limited time for complex setups. The cramped florist shop set creates a claustrophobic atmosphere that enhances both the horror and comedy elements. The film makes clever use of Dutch angles and close-ups, particularly when featuring the plant, to create a sense of growing menace and absurdity. The cinematography effectively captures the gritty reality of Skid Row while maintaining the film's fantastical elements. Despite the constraints, Dalzell managed to create memorable visual compositions, especially in the plant's feeding scenes where shadows and lighting enhance the horror-comedy tone.

Innovations

While The Little Shop of Horrors wasn't a technical pioneer in the traditional sense, it achieved remarkable results through creative problem-solving and resourcefulness. The plant effects, created by a team led by Dick Miller, used innovative techniques including rubber latex, foam rubber, and sophisticated puppetry to bring Audrey Jr. to life. The film's rapid production schedule (two days and one night) demonstrated unprecedented efficiency in feature filmmaking, with Corman developing techniques that would influence independent filmmaking for decades. The sound design for the plant's voice and movements was particularly inventive, using multiple sound sources and voice actors to create the creature's distinctive personality. The film also showcased how to maximize visual storytelling through minimal resources, using lighting and composition to create atmosphere despite limited sets and equipment. These technical achievements, born of necessity rather than innovation, have become case studies in low-budget filmmaking creativity.

Music

The film's music was composed by Ronald Stein, a frequent Corman collaborator who created an effective score that balanced horror and comedy elements. The main theme features a jaunty, slightly off-kilter melody that perfectly captures the film's tone of playful menace. Stein's score uses a combination of traditional horror film techniques (dissonant strings, dramatic brass) with lighter, more comedic motifs that underscore the film's satirical elements. The plant's 'voice' was created through a combination of sound effects and voice work, with the sound design team using various techniques to make the plant seem both menacing and oddly charming. The film's audio also makes effective use of diegetic sounds from the Skid Row setting, creating an authentic urban atmosphere. The soundtrack, while not commercially released, has become recognizable to cult film fans and effectively supports the narrative without overwhelming the comedy or horror elements.

Memorable Scenes

• Jack Nicholson's dental patient scene where he gleefully endures painful dental work, showcasing his early comedic genius
• Seymour's first feeding of Audrey Jr. with the accidental finger, establishing the plant's carnivorous nature
• The plant's first spoken word 'Feed me!' revealing its sentient and demanding personality
• The final scene where Seymour is consumed by the plant, completing the tragic cycle
• The musical number 'Skid Row (Downtown)' style montage showing the bleak urban environment
• The various feeding montages where Seymour lures different victims to the shop
• The growing plant's increasingly elaborate demands and personality development

What Critics Said

Upon its initial release, The Little Shop of Horrors received little critical attention due to its limited theatrical run and B-movie status. Most contemporary reviews were brief and focused on its novelty value as a quickie production. However, over the decades, critical opinion has evolved dramatically, with modern critics praising the film's wit, charm, and clever subversion of horror tropes. The film is now recognized as a masterclass in low-budget filmmaking, with critics noting how Corman and his team turned severe limitations into creative advantages. The performances, particularly Jonathan Haze as Seymour and Jack Nicholson in his small role, have been re-evaluated as pitch-perfect for the film's tone. Critics have also come to appreciate the film's sharp social commentary on American consumerism and ambition. The film currently holds a 94% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with critics consensus calling it 'a quick, witty, and thoroughly entertaining cult classic that makes the most of its minimal resources.'

What Audiences Thought

Initial audience reception was modest, as the film primarily played in drive-in theaters and grindhouse venues where it found its niche among horror and B-movie enthusiasts. However, over time, The Little Shop of Horrors developed a passionate cult following, with audiences drawn to its quirky charm, black humor, and endearing characters. The film gained popularity through television broadcasts and home video releases, where its brevity and entertainment value made it perfect for casual viewing. Audiences particularly responded to the plant's personality and Seymour's sympathetic characterization despite his descent into murder. The film's word-of-mouth reputation grew throughout the 1960s and 1970s, leading to midnight screenings that cemented its cult status. The subsequent adaptations (musical and 1986 film) introduced new generations to the original, with many fans seeking out Corman's version to appreciate its raw energy and creativity. Modern audiences continue to discover the film through streaming platforms and special screenings, maintaining its relevance more than six decades after its release.

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