Little Shop of Horrors - Trivia, Questions and Fun Facts

[kenneth]

The filmmakers originally offered the role of Audrey to Cyndi Lauper before casting original stage star Ellen Greene. Lauper wanted the part, but couldn't commit due to her recording/touring schedule at the time. Madonna was also reportedly considered for the role.

[kim]

Wardrobe and props were obtained from New York thrift shops in order to attain a period realism. The most difficult items to find were garbage cans, so set decorator Tessa Davies drove around in a truck filled with new cans, and whenever she saw an old one outside of someone's home, she stopped and offered to trade. "People thought I was crazy!" she remarked.

[edgar]

There are three different casting connections: John Candy and Steve Martin in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles; Bill Murray and Rick Moranis in the Ghostbusters movies; and Rick Moranis and John Candy in Spaceballs.

[clayton]

This movie got glowing reviews, better reviews than the original Roger Corman movie as a matter of fact. Both Siskel and Ebert gave a "two huge thumbs up" on their TV show "Siskel and Ebert & The Movies", and Siskel said it was "one of the most entertaining movies of the year." The Tomatometer on Rottentomatoes for this movie is 90%! It was also a box office hit.

[ella]

As part of the film's promotion, the "Audrey II" plant was occasionally interviewed, in character, by the press. On at least one occasion, the interview concluded with Audrey II "eating" the interviewer.

[sophie]

Two of the Greek chorus girls, Tichina Arnold and [Tisha Campbell-Martin](/category/11868/tisha-campbell-Martin) would later star together in the TV show Martin (1992).

[christina]

The film inspired a board game by Milton Bradley called "Feed Me!", which came out in 1987, which players had to drop marbles in the giant fly trap's mouth.

[jim]

Vincent Gardenia and Christopher Guest also appeared in Death Wish.

[kristen]

In 1986, D.C. Comics released a comic book adaptation of the film. Although the book retains some scenes that didn't make it to the final cut of the film, most characters bear little resemblance to their live-action counterparts.

[javier]

An original song entitled "Bad" was composed for the film's climax, the scene was storyboarded by artist Michael G. Ploog and it remained in the script from the first draft in 1983 until the final draft in September 1985, when it was suddenly replaced by "Mean Green Mother from Outer Space." A demo of "Bad" performed by Ron Taylor (who voiced Audrey II in the original stage play) was included as a bonus track on the 2003 Broadway cast album.

[bryan]

In the original cut of the film Paul Dooley played the part of Patrick Martin. When the cast and crew returned several months later to shoot a new ending, Dooley was unavailable so Jim Belushi stepped into the role. Dooley received a "special thanks" credit in the film and his scene appears in the black and white workprint ending that was available on the original DVD release. The 2012 Director's Cut Blu-Ray/DVD release restores Dooley's part, and conversely it's Belushi who receives a "special thanks" credit.

[leo]

The opening crawl with the "On the 23rd day on the month of September in a decade not too long before our own" is a spoof on the opening crawl of Star Wars; with it's prelude, "long, long ago, in a galaxy far, far away...."

[christina]

Frank Oz originally wanted the Greek Chorus (Crystal, Ronette and Chiffon) to be highlighted by a spotlight whenever they appeared, but this proved to be impractical as the light would spill over onto the other actors. He did manage to have them 'magically' remain dry during the rain storm in the title number.

[violet]

The gun used in the movie is a Smith & Wesson Model 36. Near the end of the movie Audrey II uses the gun to shoot at Seymour, there are about 12 shots fired without reloading during the scene. The gun only has a 5 shot capacity.

[jessie]

One of the only monster movie musicals ever made; along with The Incredibly Strange Creatures Who Stopped Living and Became Mixed-Up Zombies!!.