Little Shop Of Horrors – Audrey II Plants For Every Household – Vintage Movie Review VideOdyssey> Movie Reviews> Movies
through Andy johnson. Posted Tue Oct 19, 2021 2:59 PM
“Does that sound lifeless to you, punk?”
The dark moment when a plant inspires its owner to murder, through joyous songs and promises of fame and wealth, has to be seen as one of the most compelling partnerships in celluloid history.
Seymour discovers this strange little potted plant after a total solar eclipse, where it has made its way towards Earth, with yet unknown, but nefarious intentions.
Audrey II’s lavish pink lips woo Seymour and inspire her to deliver a constant stream of bloody goodies, so that she can grow, thrive, and continue to mesmerize the world with her mysterious fly-trap beauty.
Seymour sells his soul to this alien invader for a pocket of dreams and a chance to have the girl. What would you do to make your dreams come true? Would you like to chop people up and feed them to a plant?
Lying in his bed in the basement of Mushnik’s Skid Row, which has been his home since being rescued from the local orphanage as a child by the owner of the Mushnik flower shop, Seymour Krelbourne allows himself to fantasize about the escape from Skid Row.
Soon the girl of his dreams plunges him into attention and he’s the New York toast, with people lining up around the block to spot “this weird and unusual plant.”
The on-screen chemistry between Rick Moranis and Ellen Green keeps the film moving – as you will to break free, despite the devilish stockings Seymour stooped to to offer supper time to Audrey II.
The musicality of the film is a constant delight. Audrey II is voiced by the late great Levi Stubbs, who was a member of the Motown The Four Tops quartet and brings a sensual and moving touch to Audrey’s musings and vocals.
Seymour’s descent into darkness is dizzying. Soon he made the cover of Time magazine with Audrey II, and a shrewd businessman offers to take cuttings and put baby Audreys in every household in America.
This has always been the plan of the carnivorous plant. To conquer the world, one house at a time. But it’s only in the alternate ending that Seymour faces the music and pays the price for his murderous deal with the Demonic Seed.
During production, director Frank Oz shot an elaborate 23-minute alternate ending, which features a dramatic Godzilla-like cover of Audrey II, which is unleashed across New York City.
But the preview audience didn’t react well to it, and the ending was rewritten and re-shot for the film’s release with a happier ending.
Seymour gets his daughter and there is only a veiled threat of baby Audreys making its way into American homes.
Directed by Muppet supremo Frank Oz, the dexterity and puppet prowess of this film make it a masterpiece of modern cinema on its own.
The scene where Audrey II uses her vines to phone Audrey and tempt her to return to the store to be devoured is a delight to see.
There’s plenty of welcome laughs from a host of comedy supernova cameos, including Steve Martin, John Candy, and Jim Belushi, who provide much-needed comedic relief about the increasingly dark.
We are also treated to a stunning performance by Bill Murray as a patient of a sadomasochistic dentist. In his first film appearance following a self-imposed exile from Hollywood after the success of Ghosbusters.
Bill had gone to Paris to study philosophy, before preparing for a starring role in Scrooged with this weird little trick.
Talking with plants has long been considered a good way to grow them. Stephen Speilberg adopted the motif in the 1980s for one of his TV shorts Amazing Stories.
Starring a plant called Lucy who writes captivating comedy scripts and makes her owner a star. Sounds familiar.
Little Shop Of Horrors was filmed at the world famous Pinewood Studios in England. Eagle-eyed viewers can spot many famous faces, including Danny John Jules, aka Cat, of Red Dwarf, who is part of the Doo Wop group outside Chang’s Florist, where Seymour finds Audrey II for the first time.
There is something magical about this movie, especially the musical elements and watching them come to life, which we were thrilled to do in our movie studio with our immersive Little Shop of Horrors experience, featuring an Auderey II photoshoot. at the Mushnik Flower Shop and a team of improv actors playing the characters from the film.
VideOdyssey’s Auderey II is sleeping right now – waiting for a new audience on the new immersive show dates.
So please stay tuned for when we can safely have everyone in the studio theater, for another celebration of this musical extravaganza.
In the meantime, want to own a baby Audrey II? You can get your hands on a little beauty from our shop, to plant in your own home. Handcrafted by accessory master Nick Molloy, Audreys babies are available on our VideOdyssey Etsy store.
Want to watch Little Shop Of Horrors the way nature intended? Come rent a copy from us or watch it with your friends and family in one of our private screening rooms.
“The guy really looks like plant food to me!” “
Top rated on AirBnB experiences in Liverpool, VideOdyssey was also recently listed on Time Out Magazine’s To-Do List for Movie Fans.
Check VidOdyssey Studios website for more information
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