The Little Shop of Horrors

Synopsis

Seymour Krelboyne, a clumsy florist’s assistant, discovers a strange plant that craves human blood and flesh to grow. As the plant, named Audrey Jr., gets larger and more demanding, Seymour is forced to kill to keep it fed, becoming a local celebrity in the process. Roger Corman’s black comedy was shot in just two days on a shoestring budget. Featuring a young Jack Nicholson, it is a cult classic that mixes macabre horror with slapstick humor.

Critique

Roger Corman’s film is the ultimate triumph of efficiency, famously shot in two days and one night using leftover sets. It is a masterpiece of black comedy, blending Jewish humor with macabre horror. The film’s legacy is immense, inspiring a hit Broadway musical and a big-budget remake. It features a young Jack Nicholson in a scene-stealing role. It proves that a great script and committed performances can overcome any budget limitation, remaining one of the funniest and most enduring cult films ever made, far outliving its humble origins.

Technical sheet

Director

Roger Corman

Year

1960

Country

United States

Running time

73 min

Genre

Horror, Comedy, Fantasy

Written by

Charles B. Griffith, Roger Corman

Cinematography

Archie R. Dalzell

Cast

Jonathan Haze, Jackie Joseph, Mel Welles, Dick Miller, Myrtle Vail, Karyn Kupcinet

Production

Santa Clara Productions, Roger Corman Productions, The Filmgroup

Music

Newly composed original score

Licensing