Watching LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS for the first time ever! // I CRIED!! [Commentary & Reaction]

[@ShanelleRiccio]

Do you like this movie?! Let's hear it! Sound off!!

[@pietergreveling]

🤣🤣🤣 This is exactly what you were looking for, THE all in one package! 👌🏼 For me it has been 30 years since i last saw this one, but because of you, I appreciate it even more, thanks! 👍🏻😁 But am i right, that you did not talk about the koreography once?! 🤯😉 Yes, those actors played in almost every movie in the 80's, two of them are in the two movies i recommended! 🤫 Love your comment and editing and keep the trivia I really like that! 🥰

[@dezo343]

I loved this movie as a kid and never really paid attention to it. I just thought it was for kids because Rick Moranis was in Honey I shrunk the Kids. Eh my parents also let us watch Robo Cop when I was 7 so... Ratings meant nothing to parents in the 80s/90s 😂

[@haroldkloran4323]

I much prefer the stage version better.

[@ShanelleRiccio]

I might have cut out the part where i talk about skid row and make no mistake that’s why i was crying haha that choreo is gorgeous

[@ShanelleRiccio]

I can see that -I’d love to see this on stage for sure!!

[@DC_Prox]

You cried during "Downtown", and you understood the Greek Chorus, I feel like I've finally sat down and watched this with someone who gets it!

[@ShanelleRiccio]

😀🤓 I really like musicals!! hahah

[@nightsofcandy]

I feel skidrow to my bones every time. The old lady has such a soulful and powerful voice, it just cuts straight through me. "Alarm goes off at seven", goodbye detachment, hello feels

[@ShanelleRiccio]

skid row realllllly got me!! That's the one that put me right in my emotions!

[@Cindrbell]

Omg!!! It's Jim Belushi!!!!!!!! Love him. Love John. RIP genius.

[@gfoyle69]

I wish Rick Moranis had done more musicals. He is remembered for SCTV and comedy but he was known for singing prior to joining SCTV, he won several singing contests. Still, his career was cut short when his wife passed away and he retired to be a full time stay at home parent to his kids.

[@Insaneian]

Admittedly, he did release two albums a few years ago, "The Agoraphobic Cowboy" in 2005 and "My Mother's Brisket and Other Love Songs" in 2013.

[@spikesecho724]

He was the victim of an assault in NY recently, they got it on video. It's so sad

[@andreadeamon6419]

Need to watch strange brew and big bully. My favorites with Rick.

[@vinnygi]

He actually did a lot of singing on SCTV.

[@st0n3p0ny]

@@Insaneian The Agoraphobic Cowboy, hahah... Shut up you made that up...

[@DisneyFanatic2364]

"Is Audrey II a girl?" She was when I played the plant in my high school production.

[@thewallfangirl2980]

Yes

[@Cletus388]

Where was this?

[@thewallfangirl2980]

@@Cletus388 when Seymour said to Mushnik audrey 2 is not a healthy girl

[@TheMarrification]

@@thewallfangirl2980 In the film, Audrey II is given a man's voice though.

[@thewallfangirl2980]

@@TheMarrification so? That doesn’t mean the plant can’t be a girl

[@LordVolkov]

Probably my favorite musical. Frank Oz (the voice of Yoda and Miss Piggy) directs the hell out of this and Rick Moranis is a treasure.

[@ShanelleRiccio]

oh yeah its all so clear and tightly lead. New fav movie musical!!

[@aiden_macleod]

Frank Oz created the Muppets, not just the voices.

[@reesebn38]

@@aiden_macleod People forget that. They always just Jim Henson. But it was the 2 of them that created the Muppets. They both did all the voices.

[@jduncanandroid]

Of course, HIS version had the plant winning, but the studio didn't like that, so they reshot the ending. Recommend the director's cut for contrast.

[@RLucas3000]

@@jduncanandroid It was test screenings that didn’t like it. I prefer the happy ending, but would have used the original footage in a nightmare Seymore could have near the end.

[@toddhensley880]

“Feed me, Seymour! Feed me now!” is still the rallying cry in my family when you’re hungry.

[@Wawagirl17]

I get goosebumps every time I watch the opening "Skid Row" musical sequence. Every time without fail. I'm not even a big musical theater person, but holy shit, that's just magic.

[@ma77nelson]

When we did this as a stage musical, there were four Audrey II puppets... - A puppeteer in a hollow desk with his hand through the top into a puppet for Grow For Me. - A false arm in a jacket wrapped around the plant with Seymour’s real hand puppeting for the radio show. - A crouched puppeteer’s arms each in lower and upper jaws for Feed Me. - A massive crossbar for the top jaw lifted by a puppeteer hidden behind the tongue for the final battle. Also kids stuffed into giant tendrils operating all the new baby Audrey faces. All of the puppeteering then had to blindly sync with a voice actor on a mic backstage. Some of the most fun I’ve ever had on stage.

[@smjonesy33]

Ellen Greene is amazing! She is the original stage Audrey. I saw her recreate the role onstage a few years ago. Her Seymour was Jake Gyllenhall. This is one of my all time favorite films. I watch it all the time. I’ve also been Seymour in 3 different stage productions.

[@michelleblackwell5122]

So jealous that you got to see that!

[@solbringer2483]

This may be my favorite movie of all time. Fun fact: Frank Oz was such a perfectionist, that in the Skid Row song, he had the alley built to be exactly long enough for Rick Moranis’ steps to end at the chain link fence at the exact right time in the song

[@Will-nn6ux]

My favorite song is definitely Suppertime, with the greek chorus girls repeating "Come on, come on..." and then fading back into the shadows when the deed is done.

[@ninab9969]

I'm glad I'm not the only one who spontaneously cries during Skid Row. I was worried there for a while.

[@ajbratley9082]

“I think I’m in love with Rick Moranis” Same... same

[@stephenmcdonald8474]

I was in London in 1983, and got to see this live with Ellen playing Audrey. In the stage version, the plant wins! On the last note, giant branches drop from the ceilings onto the audience.

[@jean-paulaudette9246]

LOL loving the Greek Chorus of the backup singers.

[@ShanelleRiccio]

ME TOO so much talent!

[@loric7869]

There is a really good documentary on Howard Ashman, called Howard, on Disney+ that really goes into depth about how this musical was created and his professional journey. He was amazing and so talented.

[@cee3poh888]

I loved this !!! Made me tear up a little this was one of me amd my sisters favorite movies when we were little 💖 She recently passed unexpectedly... I've been re watching movies that make me feel like she's with me

[@ShanelleRiccio]

Awww I’m so sorry to hear that. My heart hurts for you ❤️ It means so much that you watched and enjoyed. Sending all love and healing to you. I love that you’re rewatching your childhood favorites, that’s the only way i know how to cope with my reality lol

[@cee3poh888]

@@ShanelleRiccio it's like comfort food for the heart 💗

[@Grizzlox]

@@cee3poh888 I lost my mom recently, and she's always watching with me when I watch our old favorite movies.

[@ElisabethKisselstein]

I’ve been having fun starting back at the beginning of your journey - but this takes the prize! Sharing your first viewing with us - so much fun! Thank you!

[@Zagregarian88]

This movie was LITERALLY the reason I studied Musical Theatre in college! Plus, I would have loved to see Shanelle’s reaction to the OG ending just to see her undoubtedly get misty eyed at “Somewhere That’s Green Reprise” 💚

[@worldofborriemoto2026]

Ellen Greene's performance in this film is one of my all time favorite movie musical performances.

[@scott3343]

There's been chatter about remaking this movie. What's the point of remaking something that's already perfect? There's nothing t improve on.

[@ShanelleRiccio]

I'd be so mad!! No it's just perfect. I don't want a remake where they clean up all the practical effects and just make it "perfect" no thanks

[@jacobmielke1223]

Why does it have to be a bad thing? Stage plays (like Little Shop of Horrors, incidentally) get redone and reimagined by dozens or hundreds of different casts and creative teams all the time. I'd love it if we could do movies like that. Give me fifty different versions of Little Shop, with fifty different creative visions!

[@tvaddict6623]

I agree, and the CGI will never look as good as the puppetry in this film!!!

[@tvaddict6623]

@@jacobmielke1223 shows are different, people come and go with stage productions.. but film is a way different medium. Once it is committed to print.. it’s so final... especially when it’s so perfect.

[@brom00]

You do know this film is itself a remake. :-)

[@3DJapan]

The original was actually not a musical but it did star a young Jack Nicholson.

[@radicaladz]

In the role that Bill Murray plays in this one.

[@jb888888888]

"Star" he's in the movie for like 2 minutes.

[@missgreenmouse7218]

And made in three days :3

[@nickbell8353]

This is also one of my favorite musicals, so I will say this: The movie ending works FOR THE MOVIE. Rick Moranis and Ellen Greene made their characters way too likeable, so that using the original ending would have been too depressing. In the stage version, everyone is kind of a jerk, so you don't feel so bad about Audrey II eating everyone.

[@davidking498]

cannot agree....the directors cut is so much better

[@calebray1834]

Yeah it drives home the point of the movie.

[@GDeNofa]

Agree 100 percent. Seymour was more innocent and naive in the movie than the broadway version. Saw the original ending and though it is amazingly detailed with a great score, the lighter ending fits the movie better.

[@kookycoconut]

Audrey wasn't a jerk in the play either she was a treasure 😭

[@josephscally6270]

There is an Australian called "Muriel's Wedding" with a young Toni Colette and Rachel Griffiths that extensively features music by Abba. I think you would enjoy this one very much.

[@ShanelleRiccio]

I MUST watch this one on the channel! It's been on my radar for a while !

[@toriboy25]

Yes! I have been hoping someone would react to that movie!

[@kaliyuga20]

@@ShanelleRiccio And if you want to keep with an Australian + camp theme you could see Baz Luhrmann's early work, Strictly Ballroom, and/or go with The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert featuring a pre-LotR, pre-Matrix Hugo Weaving and pre-Memento Guy Pierce.

[@iChristyD]

Muriel’s Wedding is so freakin good! I’ve probably seen it at least 50 times.

[@Psilocybin77]

I saw this when I was probably 9 yrs old in the theater with my dad and I now realize this is probably a huge reason I took drama classes throughout jr. and high school. Frank Oz will always be remembered as a legend. He was a huge part of the Jim Henson company from the beginning. I think he was able to handle this movie so well because of his experiences working with Jim. This was a wonderful reaction Shanelle. It's always so wonderful when we find something that we absolutely love.

[@vinnygi]

Yeah, I’d say he knows a thing or two about puppets! 😄

[@1983beau]

You should check out the Director's Cut. There's a completely different ending plus another song.

[@ShanelleRiccio]

I saw i had that option when i chose what to watch. I want to see the one where Audrey and Seymour die and then see how I feel about that. They were just so endearing

[@Bfdidc]

@@ShanelleRiccio Glad you liked i! Much of the film’s budget went to the alternate ending, which didn’t make it on screen. It’s cool to watch but I prefer the theatrical release.

[@aiden_macleod]

Hate that version.

[@danielallen3454]

@@ShanelleRiccio That endearing quality is why they changed they ending. They were just *too* likeable for audiences to be comfortable with them dying in the end.

[@kevindavis296]

I hated the original ending (the director's cut) it was some disturbing, especially when Audrey dies.

[@theaterbear]

This movie came out when I was 10 and I was OBSESSED with it. I also love heightened camp musicals - I’d suggest the Showtime movie musical REEFER MADNESS. Kristen Bell, Ana Gasteyer, Alan Cumming and several other fun people. It’s no where near as tight as Little Shop, but it’s very much cut from the same cloth.

[@ShanelleRiccio]

wow thanks for the suggestion, I had NO clue that was even a musical. I love all those stars also!! Will add for sure to my growing list :)

[@ericjohnson9623]

So much fun. I once had a Shakespeare class where the teacher played the song Romeo and Juliet the first day of class haha. Amazing packaging too; the DVD case smelt like chocolate brownies.

[@richaelastaley8131]

One of my favorite musicals for sure! I saw this in theaters when I was 6 and I loved it! It was, however, the last movie that ever gave me nightmares as a child and I had to sleep with my mom because I dreamed the plant was trying to eat me XD I always find it interesting how many things from my 80s/90s childhood other people say freaked them out, none of which ever really got to me. Then I tell them Audrey II was the last thing I remember having nightmares about and they think it's hilarious. So glad you enjoyed this one! Such a fun movie and the soundtrack is excellent!

[@thegorn68]

John Belushi was in the original cast of Saturday Night Live. He had early film success in "Animal House" and he and Dan Ackroyd were the Blues Brothers. Jim Belushi is his younger brother.

[@ShanelleRiccio]

Yes thanks! I always had the name Jim Belushi around and when I saw John Belushi in Blues Brothers I got nervous that I’ve been saying the wrong name! But there are two brothers!! Only took forever for me to look it up haha

[@SIRTONIUS]

One of the things I love best about this musical is that it gives a lot of love to the chorus. How often to a chorus have this big a part in a musical? Most of the time, it's solos and duets, and the chorus and backgrounds just gets to sing back up to the primaries. But in this, background characters and the chorus get their moments to shine here and there.

[@EShelby2127]

Loved it in the theatre! Ellen Green's voice blew me away! Rick Moranis was the GOAT of the day in warm funny movies (Parenthood is a MUST! [[ SEE TOM HULCE - Dominic & Eugene]] - so many tangents, so little time), Steve Martin & Bill Murray in the prime.... AS for the Trivia, LOVE it too! BTW, speaking of trivia, do you know the origin of "Skid Row"? If you visit Seattle, go to Yessler Street. In pioneer times, they would let large logs "skid" down to the mill at the waterfront. They called it "Skid Road" - it was not a great street to live on in hard times, and the down and out lives morphed it to being called "Skid Row"... there you go! Also, Seattle Trivia II, as a thank you for the channel - the streets between Yessler and Pine, going north are all X2 - Jefferson, James, Cherry, Columbia, Marion, Madison, Spring, Seneca, University, Union, Pike, Pine... (Which was where Denny Hill started, but was washed into the water to make more flat ground - now the Amazon campus.... sorry... BUT, you can always know where you are between Pioneer Square and Westlake by remembering: Jesus Christ Made Seattle Under Protest! - Jefferson, James, Cherry, Columbia, Marion, Madison, Spring, Seneca, University, Union, Pike, Pine! THERE IS MY SEATTLE TRIVIA FOR THE DAY! - THANKS AGAIN!

[@jasoncordova5416]

If you like campy playful modern musicals, I highly recommend Cry Baby. Don't know if it'll get a ton of hits for the channel, but you'll probably enjoy it

[@ShanelleRiccio]

Yes I really want to see! It quickly got shut down on Broadway here in NYC and I already had tickets!! So sad

[@pidgetheobscure494]

Yup, another vote for Cry Baby. It's a campy fun riff on the 50's teen musical movies.

[@ThreadBomb]

I thought Cry Baby was better than Hairspray.

[@ThePorpoisepower]

Cry Baby is a better movie, but Hairspray is a better film. Cry Baby is goofier and more over the top than Hairspray, in an enjoyable way. But Hairspray is much more biting in it's social commentary, and has a lot more polish.

[@ChrisMaxfieldActs]

3:40 Skid Row is so freaking brilliant and moving and chill-inducing, that the rest of the movie struggles to keep up. But the rest is very good!

[@hikkchik]

My first experience with it? I was a junior in high school, it was 1987, and I had a friend who was constantly singing the line "I'm a mean green mother from outer space.". It was weird enough for me to get curious and ask what that was from, and she told me only that it was from a movie called Little Shop of Horrors. I'd never heard of it, so on my next trip to the local video rental store, I rented it and my brother and I both fell in love with the movie. Our parents less so--our Dad never even noticed it and our Mom's only comment about it was "I'll never be able to eat a watermelon again." Many, many years later, I got the dvd. My son was about 9 or 10 and he fell in love with the movie as well. We all still love it.

[@skydreamer4246]

On the Blu-ray release of this movie it includes the original darker ending where Audrey II eats all the main characters and takes over the world. It includes an extra song and amazing special effects that were wasted until the remaster.

[@GhostJason111]

Thank you! That was the first time I saw the happy ending. I've only seen the original much darker version. It's nice to see a happy ending does exist.

[@a_guy_who_exists]

My life with this was crazy. When I first watched it, I was 6 or 7. I went between loving it fearlessly to being completely disturbed by it and back and forth. Either way, it's a masterpiece

[@ShanelleRiccio]

hahah i bet I would've been scared of the Audrey II back in the day!! That plant is terrifying. But omg there should be more of these dark musicals with an Menken sound I need them!!

[@a_guy_who_exists]

@@ShanelleRiccio I know! Sorry for responding so late but, yeah. I'd like to see them take on some other shows that I love like Rocky Horror or The Toxic Avenger

[@davidphillips9726]

This is absolutely top 3 of all time for me. I still get the songs stuck in my head all the time.

[@jzarbaugh]

This movie was three years before Little Mermaid- and "Part of Your World" ends almost exactly like "Somewhere That's Green". After Mermaid became a global hit, Ashman and Menken joked that their only had hits if the movie title started with the word "Little". The actress who played Audrey was supposedly the original actress from Broadway. And the crazy thing is that this movie was directed by Frank Oz- who also made a came in Blues Brothers. A Chicago guy? That may also explain the elevated trains. Oz is best known as being the puppeteer and voice of many of Jim Henson's muppets- including Bert, Grover, Fozzie Bear, Miss Piggy - and of course Yoda from the Star Wars movies.

[@alexandergonzie1200]

This is my number one favorite musical film, and I was shocked over the ending from the Director's Cut, I had no idea it existed, it sure gave me goosebumps! Btw, the actress who played Audrey in this film, also played Audrey in the original Broadway musical.

[@jean-paulaudette9246]

11:00 that is Mr. James Belushi, a fine comedic actor whom I've always appreciated, though sadly overshadowed by the memory of his famous and talented brother, John.

[@ShanelleRiccio]

He's great! I've been seeing a lot of him in these movies I'm screening! So happy I sorted out that James = Jim Belushi. Almost thought there was another I was missing...

[@jean-paulaudette9246]

Oh, my! I forgot to mention my very favorite movie of his: "Mr. Destiny."

[@Ultimaterob]

Overshadowed is right. John and James went to my high school. Some of my classmates' parents went to school with them. John was a beast. He was on the Track team, Football team, Wrestling team and also played in the high school band for a while. And often they would work at their father's burger shop. John was the class clown, but also one of the hardest working students.

[@zvimur]

@@Ultimaterob "Cheezbiggiy, cheezbiggy, cheezbiggy" (a series of SNL sketches).

[@marcpaxton8284]

For a fun comparison, watch the original, non-musical version from 1960 which features a young Jack Nicholson in the Bill Murray part. When I was 14-ish, my friends and I rented both versions and watched them both all in one night, then discussed what we liked and hated about both versions. TRIVIA: The original was so low-budget that they couldn’t find a proper set, but eventually lucked out when they found a set that was scheduled to be torn down in 24 hours, so the whole movie was shot before the demolition.

[@amateuruncle]

downtown always hits me in the feelings. every rendition i've heard has been a work of art (and i've heard a LOT).

[@mochijellybean]

so excited for the new uploading schedule!! i’ve never seen this movie before and that was a wild ride omg i need to go watch this in its entirety

[@ShanelleRiccio]

The new upload schedule has me sweating 😅😅 in a good way! I highly recommend this movie so so fun

[@garylee3685]

The original ending versiom is out on blu-ray.

[@Psilocybin77]

I remember hearing about the other ending, but have never seen it. I'm going to try and find that now.

[@bighuge1060]

Euphoria tears are the best. I get them whenever a movie knocks a moment out of the ballpark and the music, camera movement and choreography in "Downtown" is one of those moments.

[@bighuge1060]

Also, you might wish to check out more movies directed by Frank Oz. Among his best movies are Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Death at a Funeral and (my favorite comedy of his) Bowfinger. Also, I think an alternative ending was shot for Little Shop of Horrors because the audience loved the two leads so much that they needed them to have that happy ending together. I also have a cut of the movie with the original ending that matches the stage musical and even though it's a special effects wonder, I still feel bad for the fate of the two leads.

[@ShanelleRiccio]

yes! They were total happy tears! I LOVED Downtown. Thanks for all the suggestions!

[@bighuge1060]

You're very welcome, Shanelle. Enjoy!

[@Hozer42]

I saw this off=Broadway production in 1984 with Ellen Green as Audrey. It was so amazing that I bought the LP at the theater. We stuck around and got autographs. Ellen Green was very nice and spoke normal and then threw in the "Audrey talk". Gave us a great laugh. At the end of the show in the theater, they dropped vines of Audrey II from the ceiling to give everyone an unexpected scare. It was awesome!!! The movie is great. And I continue to watch to this day. As for Ellen Green, I have loved everything she has been in and still feel she is one of the greatest voices.

[@UTU49]

Based on your tastes, you are the exact target audience for LSOH. You probably should have been watching this every year from the age of 5. :) I cry at Skid Row too.

[@langefamily9834]

T

[@MagetaTheLionHeart]

I have been watching this since I was 5, and your spot on. I love singing Feed Me and Mean Green Mother.

[@fancypapercutz]

one of my fav movies, i am ashamed to admit how long i tried to speak like Audrey because i thought she was cute >.

[@ShanelleRiccio]

LOLLLL her voice is the greatest ever totally reminds me of all my family from Long Island, Brooklyn, Queens 😂😂😂

[@ThreadBomb]

The actress who played Audrey later played one of the aunts on the TV series Pushing Daisies, a show which I think Shanelle would love.

[@FeaturingRob]

I was just starting high school when this movie came out. It was in high school that I broke out of being the super-shy kid when I decided to try out for the musical that year. I began to realize that as much as I was in love with heavy metal and pop music of the 80s, I became obsessed with musicals. Going to see the movie, all I had to go on was "Dentist', as the scene was made into an MTV music video, and the fact that Rick Moranis was in the movie, who I really liked. Sitting in the theater watching it, I was blown away. I had always loved movies, but this was one of those milestone moments that made me really cognizant of the power of movies, the power of music, and the power storytelling has over us as audiences. That realization happened during "Downtown"...the same way you were crying as you watched it...I had the same reaction. The orchestrations, the voices, and the visuals all just blended in a way that hit me. I haven't seen the movie in years, but every once in a while, I'll watch a song from the movie like "Downtown". Watching the reaction and seeing Bob Gaudio's name in the credits...I had the same reaction. "Holy shit!!! A Jersey Boy worked on the music for this! Super-cool!" Thanks Shanelle for this one!!!

[@badmoose01]

The team that wrote and composed the songs for this movie went on to write and compose the songs for The Little Mermaid and Beauty and the Beast.

[@piratetv1]

Steve Martin scared me so much as a kid. I didn't realize it was him but i was so scared of dentists after this movie

[@nevetszinodas6654]

I saw the original production off-Broadway and it was amazing! They had a full puppet(s) and many other effects that were awesome. The Greek chorus was perfect to keep the audience entertained as the stage was changed behind the curtain. I wish I could still take my daughter to this production so she could experience it.

[@ShanelleRiccio]

I wish I could see it live too!! :(:( so sad, I think they were in the process of bringing this to Broadway last year? The instagram account is very active still!!

[@rickardroach9075]

@@ShanelleRiccio I saw the original 1984 Australian production in Sydney. In the finale, plant tendrils fell all over the audience, as if each audience member were to be pulled into the plant: never have I heard an audience scream so loud!

[@TheRaven8]

Your reaction to this is my heart. I’m 44, and I saw this in theaters and live on stage when I was eleven and it became my life dream to play Seymore on stage. Thanks for making this

[@michelleblackwell5122]

Ellen Green, Audry, is a famous stage actress. She did play this role on stage before the movie, and reprised the role here. She also reprised it a few years ago on stage with Jake Gellinhall (sp?) As Seymore, and you can find videos of that performance here on KZbin. I have seen Ellen in a few video productions, one with Liza Minelli. One show that people may have seen her in was the hit show Heroes. She played Sylar's (the big bad guy in the first season) mother. The first time my husband saw Little Shop, he was blown away by Ellen, and every time he hears the soundtrack (I have it and play it often), he always comments on how unbelievably well she can sing.

[@qsings8674]

I actually did the voice of Audrey 2 back in high school. Some of the best fun I’ve ever had

[@ShanelleRiccio]

Oh that sounds like so so much fun!! So guessing you had some sort of puppet for the production?

[@qsings8674]

Shanelle Riccio yea but it was a rental from a local theatre company. Not as intricate as this movie, but worked well enough for a high school production

[@ShanelleRiccio]

oh yeah for sure...my high school prob wouldn't have been able to afford the rental lol

[@qsings8674]

Shanelle Riccio same, our school wasn’t rich...like at all lmao.

[@ShanelleRiccio]

@@qsings8674 the other high school had budget for legit like the exact costumes for Beauty and the Beast. and we had these wild knockoffs lolll

[@johncapps906]

the director Frank OZ was the cop giving John Belushi back his used condom in The Blues Brothers...FYI...also in Blues Brothers was Steven Spielberg who played the Cook County Tax guy at the end..

[@ShanelleRiccio]

Yeah missed those guys! I let my brain write off Spielberg as a lookalike, which is stupid on my part since by that point in the film I should've known a Spielberg cameo wouldn't be weird given the other cameos.

[@christopherwall2121]

I'd recommend going back and rewatching the film with the alternate ending. It is the film's most spectacular scene, it was absolutely criminal that it got cut in the first place, it's restoration in 2012 was a hallelujah moment for me. Having seen it, the theatrical ending is forever destroyed for me, it throws out the entire point of the story and gives Seymour a happy ending I do not think he deserved.

[@GoDzillAFanKM14]

Do you know in the original musical version? The plan does eat both Seymour and Audrey and goes on to take over the world. In fact, the directors decided to go with that ending first, but it was negative to most audiences who watched it and there’s a reason for that. In a play at the end, people take a bow to let you know that they’re all right, but in a movie, they don’t take a bow they’re dead. So they change the ending to a happier one for the final release, but the actual ending where the plant eats. Everybody is fully available to watch on KZbin.

[@ThePeaceableKingdom]

So fun t watch this with you, I haven't seen it since its release and that was long ago. Your reactions are revealing, and your vid is wonderfully edited too, BTW.

[@ShanelleRiccio]

Oh yay thanks so so much for those kind words!! Thanks for watching :)

[@spiderfingers86]

Audrey is played by Ellen Green. Seymour is played by Rick Moranis

[@socialmoth4974]

My 10 year old daughter watches a gaming youtuber who sang a few lines of the "Grow for Me" song in one of his videos. Now she wants to watch the movie. I'm so excited. I saw this in the theater when I was a kid and have always loved it.

[@HollieGoFrightly]

Fantastic musical. I was 6 when this version came out and ran around singing "Suddenly Seymour". I remember my older sister singing a medley in high school and they had to dress up all 50's. About 10 years ago, I saw a stage performance at Providence Performing Art Center which kept the original ending of Audrey being eaten. The stage puppets were amazing. So glad you enjoyed this film!

[@kellygilbert621]

LOVE this movie! Ellen Greene is freaking AMAZING and all the great comedians, Rick Moranis, Steve Martin, Bill Murray, and John Candy ❤️❤️❤️❤️ The blu ray includes both versions...but I can understand why audiences didn't like the original ending. Audrey and Seymour are just too adorable. Elsewhere on youtube is a video of a limited engagement of the play from 2015 with Ellen Greene as Audrey (totally killing it) and Jake Gyllenhaal as Seymour. I love the trivia - please continue! Great reactions and thoughts - loving your channel 😊

[@Jdaw78]

There is the 'everybody dies cut'. Originally Seymour does get eaten. Even in the stage productions. However, Rick Moranis makes the character so like-able that people reacted poorly to that ending.

[@ShanelleRiccio]

Omg Rick Moranis made him so so lovable I think i know why test audiences were so mad at his ultimate demise 😂 I’m thinking I’ll check out the directors cut and see if that’s the “everybody dies” version

[@Bfdidc]

@@ShanelleRiccio I respect the "everyone dies" cut and it's fun to watch, but I prefer the theatrical release.

[@triumphofmagic]

I like the 'everybody dies cut' a lot.

[@mrlegend2961]

Why its creepy

[@hillarymead]

I played Audrey II in 2019 and got to do all the puppetry work! We had four different sized puppets(Seymour operated the one in the radio scene). The one we used for the “sudden changes/Feed Me(Git it)”, which also the second largest puppet, I got to be on a swivel chair made up to look like a flower pot and wore root-looking pantaloons so I could move around the stage in my “pot” with Seymour during the scene/song! It’s definitely one of my favorite roles and shows! Another one you should check out is Evil Dead the musical! I performed in that multiple years and it’s SO campy and fun based off of the horror movie franchise! I think you’d probably love that too.

[@alexwisz9527]

'Somewhere That's Green' is amusing for the pop culture references, but it's so soulful when you realize that they're status symbols, and she wants what they represent: safety and secure circumstances.

[@kalsolarUK]

I've always had a huge appreciation of this film. They really, really, really, don't make them like this anymore

[@DamnQuilty]

This musical is fantastic. The play as far as I know uses a puppet. Same with the film.

[@ShanelleRiccio]

that seems to be the consensus...I feel like my high school would never be able to afford such a puppet...some 17 year old would be dressed up as Audrey II 😂

[@DamnQuilty]

​@@ShanelleRiccio Yeah. That sounds right. In any case, there are many videos from high school productions, some are a decade old. I recommend checking to Feed Me.

[@ShanelleRiccio]

DamnQuilty such a great way to procrastinate 😂😂

[@Pixelologist]

The large plant in the movie was filmed slower and sped up, I believe. See Cinefex Magazine #30 (May '87) for all the deets: cinefex.com/backissues/issue30.htm

[@curtismartin2866]

@@ShanelleRiccio you can order an Audrey II kit. It includes all the Audreys

[@pillmuncher67]

I'm a 53yo Punk Rocker from Germany. I've seen this movie many times. Everytime when they sing Suddenly Seymour, I get chills.

[@jillfrancis5915]

Just caught your reaction to this. Love it!! And yes the song downtown really gets me, especially Rick Moranis's part. " Somebody show a way to get out of here, cause I constantly pray I'll get out of here. Someone give me my shot or I'll rot here" Really hit home for me when I first saw this. I think a lot of people can relate. PS. probably been mentioned here already, but Ellen Greene was the only one from the stage show to be in the movie. Story I heard was they were looking for someone more well known to play Audrey but realized she is perfect for that part. And that singing voice.... WOW!!

[@justingartside3009]

I swore i was the only one to crying at the beginning of this film. I say its because I love musicals my wife says its because I'm gay

[@coreymason7017]

The original ending is much better and how the stage musical ends.

[@mrlegend2961]

But its scary

[@coreymason7017]

@@mrlegend2961 it was also one of the most expensive movie scenes ever filmed and has the best song in the whole film/stage show. A little scary is good!

[@mrlegend2961]

@@coreymason7017 im 14 its scary and i cant stop waching it

[@KurtCobainsMicrophone]

@@mrlegend2961 14? Jesus Christ, a 9 year old would spell better than you.

[@mrlegend2961]

@@KurtCobainsMicrophone dont be mean i spelled it right

[@What_Makes_Climate_Tick]

Ellen Greene is known for the stage and screen version of this and little else, but it's hard to imagine someone else in that role. I think the stories behind casting movies derived from stage musicals are interesting. For the movie of The Music Man, the studio chief tried to get Bing Crosby, Cary Grant, and Frank Sinatra in the principal role, but the writer prevailed in hiring the much lesser-known Robert Preston, who starred in the original Broadway production. On the other hand, Zero Mostel was the original lead actor in Fiddler on the Roof on Broadway, but when movie-making time came, he was thought to be too hammy and larger than life, and they got Chaim Topol, who was completely unknown in the States, and had played the role first in Israel, then in London, learning English almost from scratch. He was much younger than the character he was playing, and IIRC, an actress who played one of his daughters in the movie played his wife in a later stage production.

[@davidclarke7122]

I was the lighting designer for an amature production of Little shop of Horrors, a series of puppets are used, starting with a simple glove puppet when we first see the plant and ending with a massive puppet worked by a team of 4 people and voiced by an offstage actor, whenever the plant spoke, for instance during the phone call to Audrey, we lit the plant in a tight bright red light, made it look super creepy, one of my favorite shows, just wish I had a video of it.

[@cliffchristie5865]

I've seen the darker ending but I understand why the test audiences reacted badly. It's just human nature. You spend the whole film getting to know the characters, get invested in their well-being, so you don't exactly want to see them killed. Ok, so I'm a sentimental slob, but I prefer the happy ending.

[@bryanegelhoffsanimationtec257]

Exactly. With a stage show, we see the actors come back out, even if the characters died. But in a movie, if a character dies, they usually stay dead.

[@Purplefire0796]

I think a big reason is they skip Now (it’s just the Gas) and The meek shall Inherit. The first one makes feel like more of a jerk than the others songs. And the second one really makes you think that Seymour only does this for Audrey. (I know they have a delete scene)

[@carlotta4th]

I think the original ending fits a bit better ("green" song has a conclusion, and all that ax imagery earlier is strange just to brush aside). But I don't mind the happy ending either, it just doesn't fit quite as well.

[@VeerleTakino]

I would live to see you reacting to the 98 video version of CATS

[@thegorn68]

In the Fall Semester of 1987, we did Little Shop Of Horrors in college and it was a blast! What really made the play work was we had a student who was a Jim Henson-level genius puppeteer and he created an awesome Audrey II plant. It was so good, that other theaters that did the musical around the state would rent it from our Theatre Dept.

[@ShanelleRiccio]

Obsessed!! That’s so so nice. I remember the pride felt when your theater department really nailed something. I’m deep diving on Audrey II puppets on Google for today 🙃😅

[@Filmbuff1979]

Skid Row is my favorite song from it. The film is classic. Saw it many times as a youth on HBO

[@spiderfingers86]

He's James Belushi brother to the guy who accidentally overdosed on drugs.

[@Notsosweetstevia]

It was my aunt from Sicily who wrapped everything in plastic, squeezed cheeks, and overfed everyone.

[@ShanelleRiccio]

YUP I know the type! ahha both sides of the family had their plastic wrapped furniture moments! 😂

[@worldofborriemoto2026]

My aunt Helen use to do that.

[@botwitaprice]

"Down on Skid Row" was so moving for me. as well as "Suddenly Seymore"

[@vwlssnvwls3262]

I had already seen this in the theater twice when my brother and I went to see it in the theater. There were a group of teenage girls in two rows in front of us singing along with all the songs. It didn't bother us, it just added to the great experience. My brother was 22 and I was 16 at the time. I have always been a huge huge huge Steve Martin fan, so I have his song memorized. :D

[@BRD529]

If you want more musicals, and you like the Beatles, you should check out Across The Universe from 2007.

[@ShanelleRiccio]

Yeah totally a must I think! Probably after my slated holiday schedule of movies :):)

[@MovieVigilante]

@@ShanelleRiccio You should check out the actual Beatles in their musicals; A Hard Day's Night; Help; The Yellow Submarine.

[@seymourkrelborn4780]

You should do a reaction to this film's early cut because it is so much more emotionally serious and darker (this was the film makers' original vision before the studio forced them to make it light). drive.google.com/file/d/0B7lccvzuohAUNVRERGpWTmVwSG8/view?usp=drivesdk

[@ShanelleRiccio]

Oh cool! I did see the original ending where the plant attacks the city and they sing don’t feed the plants... but what i watched on KZbin seemed to happen after Seymour and Audrey would’ve been eaten. :(

[@ShanelleRiccio]

And thanks for this link!!

[@seymourkrelborn4780]

@@ShanelleRiccio The whole film leading up to that point was originally more emotionally serious (Audrey's abuse is played harsher, and she has some extra lines that shed light on her low self esteem, ultimately making the payoff of Suddenly Seymour much greater), and the film was darker in that Seymour had a more obviously active decision in Orin and Mushnik's deaths. There was also a song where Seymour admits his guilt in his conscience and contemplates destroying the plant, but is ready to keep killing for fear of losing Audrey, ultimately sealing his and her fate.

[@ShanelleRiccio]

oh wow that kind of sells it. they played Audrey's abuse kind of half serious/ half for comedy (ie. the tied up in handcuffs bit) But that payoff (what you mentioned in the darker version) feels better for the genre of dark comedy. they really took a lighthearted turn with the theatrical cut im learning! weird. I guess Hollywood can be rather reductive...kind of why I tend to have a huge problem with movies engineered to gross like a billion dollars globally... I just love a smaller/more intimate and truthful story

[@psychoween]

I was lucky enough to see the original off-Broadway show in '84. Ellen Green was also Audry on stage. When the movie came out, I was disappointed about the ending change and the fact that they dropped the dentists song and had rewritten Suppertime. However, I love the film, and when I saw it at the time of release, the audience gave it a standing ovation. You don't see that happen very often in a movie theater! The Un-used ending is now available on home video. Oh, I also love the new song Mean Green Mother from Outerspace, which was written for the film.

[@ThreadBomb]

The actress who played Audrey later played one of the aunts on the TV series Pushing Daisies, a show which I think Shanelle would love.

[@civwar054]

Alan Menken and Howard Ashman, who wrote some of the most beautiful theatrical movie music of all time.

[@Cindrbell]

Who knew Rick Moranis had this in him. I'm loving it.

[@JW666]

Yes, Jim and James Belushi are the same person, Jim is often short for James, like Billy is short for William and Dick is short for Richard. Would have loved to see the gory dentist office too! Love movie trivia, never stop doing it! ;) =)

[@ShanelleRiccio]

trivia stays! It really gets the conversation started in a great way. Totally appreciate you watching!! ...Love how I just figured out that Jim Belushi and James Belushi are the same person 😂🙃

[@JW666]

@@ShanelleRiccio ;) =)

[@zmarko]

I saw this in the theater when I was 14 or 15. The father of my best friend was a fan of the original, and after leaving the theater, he made us watch the original immediately when we got back to my friends house.

[@zuazuafilm]

Hiii! Just want to say that I love your videos, especially when you cry because it shows the movie is really connecting with you. :) Anyway, I wanted to say that I've seen Little Shop of Horrors in the theatre, and they used puppetry for Audrey II. Not animatronics or anything like that, just skilled puppeteers bringing a giant, singing plant to life. I've never experienced any form of produced entertainment that magnificent and astonishing before, and I'm still in utter awe almost two years later. Have an awesome day!

[@jjlonsdale5971]

"This is, like, the best use of a greek chorus in a musical." Shanelle, I know I'm new to your channel and late to this video, but OMG have you not seen Legally Blonde: The Musical??? I love your reactions, especially the editing commentary and the trivia!

[@willbacewicz2087]

I saw this on stage at the Bushnell in Hartford, CT over a decade ago, and am writing this WEARING THE SHIRT I GOT AT IT. Black T-shirt with logo. I've worn this shirt so much it has holes in it, but still one of my favorite "Day off" shirts. My mom bought it for me at the show, and since she died of cancer in 2014, it's been a reminder of not only her love but also one of the greatest scripts ever written. For the record: The stage show did the original ending and, although I love and enjoy the official movie ending, the original's a better end to a story about lust, murder and betrayal. Seymore wasn't a bad guy, but got caught up in a situation beyond his control/understanding.

[@stevenperez845]

I loved this movie growing up. Glad to see someone appreciates it! I also smile seeing Rick Moranis in this movie. I can’t start this movie without looking at the 3 Singers and thinking OH HEY IT’S GINA & PAM! 🤣

[@dclore]

Fun point - if you know UK Comedy Red Dwarf, one of the doo-wop singers is Danny John-Jules who plays Cat on Red Dwarf.

[@reactionwatcher7652]

2 interesting facts. This is based on a 1960 Roger Corman horror flick. In the original the Bill Murray part was played by a young Jack Nicholson. In the Broadway show Seymour and Audrey are eaten and at the end of the show the tendrils and plants start working their way into the audience.

[@jaguar4u2012]

anyone who came from a poor background shed a tear when the song "SkidRow" plays... there's just something that hits the soul there

[@cokehat]

Tichina Arnold and Tisha Campbell , two of the Greek chorus members, were cast mates on Martin. And Levi Stubbs was the voice of Audrey II...he was also in a little group called The Four Tops. Talent was rampant on this shoot.