Siskel & Ebert - Little Shop of Horrors

Siskel & Ebert - Little Shop of Horrors

[@cessnaace]

Roger had a moment of memory fade. The 3 women singing commentary during many of the songs WAS in the stage production.

[@jamesc.lockwood3810]

Levi Stubbs, the lead singer of the Four Tops, was the voice of the plant.

[@3000dora]

Getting a good review from Siskel and Ebert is good. But when they smile while they are giving it, then you have box office gold.

[@douglasdoyle8944]

Hilarious enough little shop of horrors under performed at the box office.

[@translatingnekojiru774]

So glad he liked this movie. It's one of my favorites.

[@MrGabeanator]

Please Ignore me too

[@thewayneflyinghigh9128]

Translating Nekojiru same here.

[@petercharleskrug]

I think they both liked it.

[@eliechavarria7703]

Translating Nekojiru me too 🙂👍🏻

[@OhSankYouDoktor]

They nailed it on this one. This was one of the great movies from one of the greatest movie years, 1986. A shame Rick Moranis quit show business.

[@spencerhensley5495]

He is supposed to be back as Wayne Szalinski in Shrunk a reboot of Honey I Shrunk the Kids but production was postponed due to the pandemic. However I think he and Steve Martin need to do one more movie together. Even if it’s straight to streaming they have great chemistry here in Parenthood and in My Blue Heaven. I would like to see one more movie with the two of them. They are great together.

[@solidsnake58]

I saw this movie in the theaters as a kid and I loved. I thought Steve Martin was hilarious and the songs catchy. Then something happened. I didn’t watch it again for another 30 years! I was blown away by how good the music, performances, and special effects/puppetry. It was wonderful to rediscover as an adult (especially that restored original ending). What a truly wonderful film and I love it when SIskel and Ebert love a movie as much as I do.

[@uppercutgrandma4425]

When I was a little my father took us kids to pick up a pizza from little Caesars (before they became kmart pizza) and rent a movie. As soon as we got to the rental place the tornado sirens started going off so, we had to hide inside of the video store till it cleared up. Throughout the night the sirens kept going off so we had to keep running into the basement while trying to watch this.

[@TemakiTom]

Best part of the movie, for me, is Christopher Guest's cameo. Kills me every time.

[@azooreus]

It's always nice when these two would end up on the same page about a movie. Sign of a healthy friendship when two people can agree to disagree, but also come together like this to appreciate something.

[@jkoff76]

The movie is worth if for the Steve Martin number alone.

[@ArthurCSchaper]

I thrill when he drills a bicuspid!

[@nicholascecic1270]

@@ArthurCSchaper It’s swell, though they tell him he’s maladjusted!

[@ArthurCSchaper]

@@nicholascecic1270 😂😂😂

[@spencerhensley5495]

We need an Orin Scrivello DDS spin off movie… Maybe how he became a dentist. A prequel.

[@TrueBuddhaCat]

Glad they loved this movie! And you can tell they loved it since they were smiling and you can hear Siskel snickering while Ebert is explaining the plot; and yeah Steve Martin should have gotten Oscar nomination for his amazing role! This is my favorite movie musical of all time and I even had the pleasure to be in a high school production of the show in my senior year and I had so much fun!

[@bliglum]

Just watched this movie the other night, Good stuff. The effects work was utterly fantastic!!!! The Plant's movements look so smooth and natural, gives even modern day CGI a run!

[@lohphat]

They ran the film at 16 frames a second (instead of 24) for the large plant scenes and performed the action at 3/4 speed so that the puppetry could be done smoothly. The finale was filmed at half speed (12 fps) because of the size of the puppet. When played back at normal speed the motion was smooth and accurate. www.imdb.com/title/tt0091419/trivia

[@bliglum]

lohphat Movie magic baby!

[@MrBuch169169]

An Oscar nomination for Steve Martin! I'm so glad he said that. I agree completely.

[@sha11235]

Well, at least he has hosted. And he is a good host.

[@johnfitzpatrick3094]

Martin was sadly overlooked.

[@spencerhensley5495]

I think Steve should have gotten nominated and it’s a shame he has been overlooked. Granted in 86 Sir Michael Caine won Supporting Actor for his wonderful work in Woody Allen’s Hannah and Her Sisters but a nod at least to Martin I think would have been more than welcome.

[@giftofthepadgii]

This movie used to scare the hell out of me when I was a kid and I loved it.

[@erjo8199]

The animatronics were so good

[@KingofPepsi]

Levi Stubbs as the voice of the plant was AWESOME!! I have two DVD copies of the film. One with only the movie, the other with very little extras such as interviews. I sure wish they resored the original last minutes of the film where mutiple giant plants wreck havoc in the city. President of Geffin Records/Film, David Geffin, had the original ending removed and won't place it back!! There were only limited releasings with the original ending, but they're gone. Dang!

[@ColasTeam]

You must be happy a blu-ray release with the original ending exists now!

[@KingofPepsi]

@@ColasTeam AWESOME!!!

[@francisko338]

Hi, it's me from 10 years in the future. In 2012, you'll get your wish. You're welcome! 🙂

[@uppercutgrandma4425]

Hey! I'm also from the future. You got your wish!

[@PurushaDesa]

Ebert describing the film first and foremost as a romance is exactly why it had to end the way it did. The audience is rooting for them to be together and the seeds of a more contemptible portrayal of Seymour were not laid throughout the film.

[@thisguyhere6641]

I give Little Shop of Horrors two thumbs up! It's frankly a hilarious musical I absolutely love!

[@ricardocantoral7672]

When the film was first released on DVD, it included the original "everyone dies" ending. That edition was pulled from shelves after the film's producer demanded a new release that only featured the theatrical cut.

[@joyunicycle]

Personally, while I loved a lot of the film (and I didn't know Rick Moranis could sing) the best thing about it was the plant. The voice and especially the puppetry are amazing.

[@ronaldh8446]

Levi Stubbs of the Four Tops was the voice. What is amazing is that Moranis had to sing at half speed with the puppetry and then the film was sped up song speed. Good work.

[@yannatoko9898]

Well the audio of him singing wasn't from the shots in the film of course, he was just acting singing.

[@spencerhensley5495]

Rick Mornais has actually produced several musical albums since retiring from live action movies in 1997 but I agree with your comment this movie makes me realize just how musically talented he and Steve Martin are and that they both can do more than act.

[@FeverDog420]

One of my most favorites. It never gets old, doesn't age, a total delight start to finish. The old-school craftsmanship doesn't get enough praise. Look at the puppeteering that went into bringing the Audrey II to life. There's no CGI - that's classic Hollywood magic. Additional credit to Levi Stubbs. He wasn't a professional voice actor but what he does here, imbuing Two-ie with personality, is integral to the picture's success. I could go on and on about this movie. I should write a book. Rick Moranis as a viable romantic leading man; the Greek chorus named after Motown girl groups; the bag lady's vocals (sing it, child); "Christ, what a friggin' scatterbrain" as an everlasting phrase in my lexicon ("I'm sorry, Docta!"); how the artificiality of the movie's sets enhances its appeal; Mushnik's demise; "if you two kids would stop singing for just a moment"; big enormous twelve-inch screen; John Candy; "peculiar". I am going on and on.

[@WeaponXXIV]

I love what they did with the movie and I think that it's one of the most enjoyable movies of the last twenty-five years

[@spencerhensley5495]

Both were right on this one but I particularly agree with Siskel saying it is an especially good musical. The musical genre is my least favorite but there are a couple exceptions and this is one of them simply because the songs are smart and well written, the singing is excellent this made me realize just how musically talented Rick Moranis and Steve Martin are other than just at acting, and when the singing isn’t happening the story is either just interesting or just flat out hilarious including the scene with Bill Murray in the dentists office. I know Rick Moranis is coming out of retirement for another Honey I Shrunk the Kids movie but if he will do one more I think he and Steve Martin need to do another flick. They have amazing chemistry here and also in Parenthood and My Blue Heaven a criminally underrated comedy. I actually just happened to see this movie on the big screen at my local theater. They bring back classics every Sunday and Weds. Should you ever get a chance to see this on the big screen don’t hesitate just do it. You will appreciate it so much more. It’s a magical experience. It’s also great to stream but a movie like this is meant to be seen in a theater. If you have seen it theatrically you know what I mean.

[@YouCantDeleteDenzelL]

Even they realized how ahead of its time this movie was.

[@spencerhensley5495]

They sure knew it was going to be popular as a cult film. Ebert was right in saying that. Warner Bros was actually disappointed in its box office performance in December of 86 but it later became popular on video and television.

[@rebeccaalonso8264]

Tisha Campbell and Tichina Arnold who played Chiffon and Crystal were in the Fox TV show Martin in the '90s.

[@ProjectPaladin]

This brings back memories... Back in my schooldays, we performed this piece on stage, I had tremendous fun playing Steve Martin's part... Had some incredible props, too, an animated small version of Audrey II and then of course the life-size version costume with a giant manually handled headpiece for our actor, who also did an incredible job standing in full stagelight and performing in this thing... Good times... :-)

[@spencerhensley5495]

That’s so cool you got to play Orin Scrivello DDS haha! I wouldn’t be able to play a character like that with a straight face. I know he is an abusive horrible person but aside from that he is so over the top and side split-tingly funny that would be hard for me to play straight.

[@ProjectPaladin]

@@spencerhensley5495 It was a a great experience, great character to go full over the top with.

[@thisguyhere6641]

I give Little Shop of Horrors two thumbs up! It's a hilariously spooky musical, I tell you what!

[@therojowo]

I do think it's funny that they were like "the greek chorus wasn't in the original stage version" when it absolutely was

[@donnamiller5222]

RIP Levi Stubbs

[@DivineGraceQueen]

The girls are Crystal, Ronnette and Chiffon and were characters in the play as well. Also, Bette Midler's back-up girls are The Harlettes", not the Trashettes as stated.

[@MichaelBrookham]

I had this movie on DVD for a while, but then I sold the DVD. I kind of wish I didn't, because I am changing my views of it, after hearing Gene and Roger. I did like the movie, and I wish I could get it on DVD again.

[@cineddiction]

This was my first musical movie as a 14yo kid & i loved it! Still one of my favorites. Truly a classic. As far as Siskel & ebert even though i never agreeed with their critiques, i always respected their views & opinions. I really miss them

[@Abonanno24601]

My first musical movie was The Blues Brothers.

[@MaskedMarvyl]

My god.....his face is melting.....

[@Pozorrogo]

The dentist was the best omg

[@qmchale5130]

goji2099 The original ending is pretty messed up, but it took more money and effort to shoot than the theatrical ending did. They wanted to use that to mirror the stage play, but it translated very darkly in the film as the test audiences liked Seymour and Audrey in it, and killing them off was considered cruel.

[@goji2099]

I don't mind them killing off the characters in theory. I just don't think it fit the tone of the film as shot. It's a dark film, but the ending still felt out of place. Now, the ending the went with still has issues.

[@sparkyk24]

goji2099 I totally agree. If you want to have such a dark ending, you need to have a darker tone. Not a half dark, half silly tone.

[@JustSomeCanadianGuy]

So much better than Rocky Horror.

[@only257]

love this movie, great review by siskel and ebert

[@progrockcoffee]

It didn't turn into the next RHPS (I don't think you can do audience participation with this movie), but it DID become a great cult film. I'm glad they liked it.

[@Last_addam]

best musical ever.. well at least since south park the movie :)

[@patrickshields5251]

What nobody knew back in 1986 was that the film originally ended with Audrey II eating Seymour and Audrey and taking over the world. Test audiences didn't like the scene and a happy ending was filmed.

[@sha11235]

Unless you knew the original stage production, which I didn't at the time.

[@youtuuba]

Yeah, anyone who had seen the original stage musical would know that the Audrey II plant eats Seymour and Audrey and goes on to take over the world as the alien invader it actually is. And the three girls that comprise the Greek Chorus were also there, not added for the movie version. Actually, the movie is missing a great song or two that were in the stage version.

[@TrueBuddhaCat]

Well thankfully with the 2012 blu-ray director’s cut the original ending was fully brought back and while I prefer the theatrical ending; though both have my favorite song for the movie Mean Green Mother From Outer Space which did get an Oscar nomination; I will say the original ending is a bummer but it is a great homage to sci-fi films of the 50’s like Invasion of the Body Snatchers with the “YOU’RE NEXT” kind of ending and the production is done very well considering the budget But considering that test audiences were having so much fun with the movie so far and then the original ending happened where literally everyone else is eaten by Audrey II it soured the mood; but at least they didn’t throw it away and we have a choice of the theatrical ending or the original ending(I will say though, as someone who was in a high school production of the show in senior year; which was fun; rehearsing “Don’t Feed The Plants” was a pain in the ass because we had to crawl and act like vines of the plant, but was worth it)

[@kevindavis296]

Just like the climax of the broadplay

[@loughlin14]

I understand that.

[@animagusurreal]

The backup singers were in the play - or at least on the Original Cast Album :)

[@Jorganti]

I love this movie....the original ending (you can see it on youtube or the anniversary blu-ray they recently released) really changes things...

[@orbison]

When they review the Little Mermaid. They briefly talked about how much they would have loved to see the musical come back to the forefront. It is said that MTV help drive that to an early grave. LSOF is perhaps the greatest movie musical of the 80s (unless they're are some I forgotten.)

[@jedijones]

Howard Ashman made Little Shop of Horrors, Little Mermaid and Beauty and the Beast what they were. He knew how to put a sophisticated sense of humor into musicals as well as strong romantic content. The technique died when he died. I don't think any musical movie since those three has ever even come close to measuring up to them.

[@Last_addam]

these fx are ridiculously good

[@TrueBuddhaCat]

And they still hold up even today! While I was in a high school production of the show for my senior year, I showed everyone the “Feed Me” scene and everyone thought Audrey II was all CGI but I told the nope it’s a puppet and they were shocked and amazed at how great Audrey II still looks and functions great even today! Sometimes, practical effects and puppetry stand the test of time than CGI

[@lilliedoubleyou3865]

the heck do ya mean the girls weren't in the musical? Boy, somebody didn't do his homework.

[@sha11235]

Amelia Doubleyou Well, how is he supposed to remember? He isn't a stage critic, but a movie critic. If he was still alive, I'd have written to him and told him his error.

[@lilliedoubleyou3865]

sha11235 To answer your question, I would suggest fact-checking and a healthy round of edits.

[@JordanMgordan]

It's not like the internet existed in 1986.

[@sha11235]

Maybe he didn't bother. He's got enough to do.

[@bobthebear1246]

Amelia Doubleyou HELL. Say HELL!!

[@sha11235]

Roger is wrong. They were in the stage production.

[@translatingnekojiru774]

sha11235 yes, but they seem more grounded in skid row than in the movie. Especially with the addition of changing their costumes.

[@sha11235]

Please Ignore Yeah, in the film they don't really connect with the characters except for one scene with Audrey where they are telling her to dump Orin. They do change costumes in the film and I think they do it on stage too but not as much because it is harder there.

[@infinitygenealpa]

sha11235 I think he was referring to the three that played them, not the characters.

[@sha11235]

No, the characters.

[@sha11235]

Wonder how they would've felt about the original ending, which was changed after test audiences hated it?

[@FeverDog420]

Seen it, hated it too.

[@loughlin14]

@@FeverDog420 That would give nightmares, I believe.

[@sha11235]

Well, that hasn't happened with LSOH-midnight screenings.

[@nickperkins8477]

This might be the most unsettling movie of its kind I’ve ever seen.

[@doowoppingchainsawer]

Levy Stubbs, lead singer of The Four Tops, voices Audry 2. Sure you knew that but I had to remind you.

[@MovieFan1912]

It’s a little funny to think that Siskel and Ebert thought this movie would become the next Rocky Horror Picture Show.

[@snarkus63]

Even back when I first saw this,I knew they were dead wrong about their prediction that this would replace The Rocky Horror Picture Show as the new midnight-movie sensation. Rocky Horror's success was very much a product of its time---don't forget,it failed completely in its original release---and that sort of circumstances only comes along once in a generation,maybe even longer.

[@sliat1981]

Good taste

[@laparka1138]

I dont like musicals but this and Sweeney Todd are my favorites.

[@TrueBuddhaCat]

This is like kinda the “kid” friendly version of Sweeney Todd; and I use “kid friendly” loosely(thank you Audrey II and your foul mouth; though you sang my favorite song for the movie Mean Green Mother From Outer Space)

[@doowoppingchainsawer]

1:44 is so funny. I just remembered Tisha Campbell is in this.

[@fromthehaven94]

And Tichina Arnold, too. The third girl of the Greek chorus, I'd have to look it up.

[@biracialKlown]

is it me, or in the begining of every ebert & siskel video where ebert explains the movie, ebert looks as if hes transforming into a creepy digital ghoul,

[@maskedmarvyl4774]

Or are you just seeing his True Form??

[@ilovebrandnewcarpets]

LOVE the dentist song hahaha

[@thequeenundisputed]

Because he called a person a jerk for killing himself and a friend of his because he drove drunk. Since this person just so happens to be famous, cows are being had, even after he apologized and said he never meant to be cruel. If a person drives drunk and gets killed in the process, they only have themselves to blame, if this person wasn't famous, everyone would agree to that. (this is coming from someone who is neither a fan of eibert or the man who died)

[@StarSnowGhost]

@geek9830 I noticed that too. I also think it's funny he didn't mention the different ending, but maybe he forgot. Besides, it's still a good movie with the new ending. :)

[@DamnQuilty]

@movieguy60 Ebert retired, but he still write movie critics

[@KingofPepsi]

That's "restored", not resored. Sorry. By the way...the original ending can be seen here on KZbin!!

[@TrueBuddhaCat]

And it’s now available to all thanks to the 2012 director’s cut blu-ray; includes both the theatrical and original ending fully restored

[@movieman104]

im glsf thry liked this

[@snarkus63]

@AICNMurderMostFowl Well,it sure sounds like that's what they were suggesting---listen to Ebert beginning at 4:08---"rather than 'Rocky Horror Picture Show' "---as far as I know,as successful as Little Shop was,it never went to the midnight-movie circuit.

[@PetraFan6000]

this is the only movie i see steve martin where he doesn't have white hair

[@jusbaize]

One of my all time favorites. Too bad it never achieved the cult status Roger predicted.

[@Ben_Rothenburg_]

It kinda did

[@uppercutgrandma4425]

Give it a few more years.

[@williamhowe1]

Cult classic.

[@MurderMostFowl]

@snarkus63 I don't think that's what he meant... he didn't mean it would replace RHPS, he meant this would be the new film that people love to love... you know like The Fly or Army of Darkness, princess Bride, Spinal Tap, etc... RHPS is unique and I think will never be duplicated in that it became a cult fiim because of people's negative reaction... people loved to to make fun of it ( the genesis of the participation ) but then magically the heart of the film got embraced though that.

[@WonderfulLizardOfOz]

@ExclusiveCheese: You can't really blame Ebert because from some of his comments it's BLATANTLY obvious he's never seen the play version.

[@Tron239]

Wow. It's like you just read my mind. I know why now, but at the time of this comment I didn't know. It's just stupid because the way I see it, when Ryan Dunn's fans do this it's almost like they're encouraging other people to drink and drive, or that people who drink and drive aren't doing anything wrong.

[@tnawcwvictoria]

Little Shop of Horrors from the Producers of Beetlejuice

[@ricarleite]

It didnt run for a long time

[@Tron239]

Seriously what is up with all the Ebert hate in this video. Whoever keeps saying these things obviously have no life since they keep going to this video over and over. Seriously, just why!

[@TheRealVolk]

Alas, we did not see young people attend any late night showings, dressed up as dentists. Sad.

[@KaydeyRai]

I love this movie but I liked the original ending better

[@movieguy60]

@DamnQuilty Ok.

[@SlavicDemon]

@movieguy60 Gene is, Roger is not.

[@jedijones]

Anyone know why it wasn't a real success in theaters at the time? It looks like it did not make enough money theatrically to break even. As a kid I just remember barely ever even hearing that it was coming out. I would think with that cast of comedians and the horror-comedy angle two years after Ghostbusters, even including Bill Murray and Rick Moranis in the cast, that it should've sold more tickets. They didn't seem to even try to market it to the Ghostbusters fan-base though.

[@Vameon]

Ebert looks like they live!

[@83RockaRolla]

They didn't even mention Roger Corman...

[@coopercastille]

@movieguy60 Siskel died, but Ebert had to retire after loosing his voice in surgery

[@sha11235]

He never retired. Roger worked until his death.

[@JM-ll2vv]

0:40 woah what happened to Ebert here?

[@bbcrumbs]

ȻΘɱρરεȘȘίΘɴ λરτίʃλȻκτ•

[@warriormanmaxx8991]

@bbcrumbs - Welcome to planet earth !! Now learn how to speak/write English in order to assimilate !!

[@bloboshitful]

Never saw them but any old movie will fill your lonely nights. here is your pin up, Roger Ebert LOL

[@Insanonaga]

It's his ghost! (He's the one who died right? Don't kill me if I'm wrong. :P )

[@peacocksandwhich]

I wish this would play at midnight and people would dress up like TRHPS.

[@slashermaster28]

@Exclusivecheese- So the movie as a whole sucks because of one scene?

[@movieguy60]

Are they dead?

[@Dottiecurran]

The screen makes Ebert look better. About as horrible as the monsters

[@Nummymuffincocobutter]

@biracialKlown Not,it's just you.

[@thequeenundisputed]

It's enabling. It's saying that you can drink and drive, you can even kill someone in the process! And you are no less of a man for doing so. And anyone who dare say anything different deserves to be judged, mocked and ridiculed. Even the lowest blows like saying that person deserves cancer, calling him disgusting, repulsive, or deformed is A-ok, even encouraged since most of these comments have several thumbs up. It's ridiculous and extremely childish.

[@Homunculas]

Lol the comments, some loser with multiple fake accounts really hates Ebert.

[@williamtheconqueror3]

the plant is creepy of how it moves and talks. if it is real, I would kill myself or run away.

[@ddl74]

I'd say he's been very successful as a critic. Criticizing someone's performance is different from mocking someone's appearance (especially someone who has cancer) And what the hell does "cry to your cartoons" mean?

[@racookster]

Great movie, but it never achieved the cult status of Rocky Horror because it's too good. Rocky Horror is disjointed and there isn't a lot of plot. You might as well riff on it. Audiences for Little Shop of Horrors don't want distractions. They want to watch the film.

[@bloboshitful]

Ebert IS a HORROR

[@gir5o1]

I wish Rick Moranis would get back into acting. I understand his reasons, but I'm selfish I guess.

[@gutz1981]

Hey first view, first comment.

[@goji2099]

@ExclusiveCheese The original ending sucked. A tacked on unhappy ending is just as bad a tacked on happy ending.

[@Wodro]

lol mit does it's very poor quality that's why

[@geek9830]

Ebert was wrong the singing trio were in the play.