Friday, April 30, 2010

First up: The Little Shop of Horrors 1960

Eclipsed somewhat by it's famous musical remake, the original of this people munching venus fly trap from hell has it's own charm. First of all, this is a Roger Corman movie. Next, Jonathan Haze is every bit the Seymour that Rick Moranis is, without the singing, of course. [The only singing here is provided by Jack Griffin , tackling the role of "Drunk". delighting us with the likes of Auld Lang Syne, etc. in inebriated tones.] Haze's Seymour seems more innocent that Morainis', possibly because, as mentioned, this IS NOT a musical. He is easy to feel sorry for, and laugh at--all at the same time and not nearly as much of a "stumble-bum". Jackie Joseph is every bit the Audrey as Ellen Greene; in fact, it's quite chilling, at least to me (and maybe I'm easily impressed) how these two women are so alike, like twins, in this role! Of course, the original Little Shop is most famous for Jack Nicholson's appearance as the laughing gas loving dental patient Wilbur Force; but we have other roles here that are just as memorable. Mel Welles, originally a NYC area clinical psychologist and radio dee-jay, in the role Gravis Mushnik (who reportedly helped with the direction of the film) and Leola Wendorff as Siddie Shiva (what a name!), a character that does not even appear in the Frank Oz remake. And the above mentioned Jack Griffin's son Charles B. occupying 5 different roles: Kloy/Drunk at Dentist/Screaming Patient/Audrey Jr./Burglar at Flower Shop. "I'm going to stay behind as look after this mishugina plant" Gravis Mushnik

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