LittleShopScreenplay PDF
LittleShopScreenplay PDF
REVISED DRAFT
FADE IN:
1 A GREY VOID - SWIRLS OF THREATENING, EVER-CHANGING 1
STORM-SKY COLOR
A chil.1in9 "Phantom of the Opera" ORGAN CHORD', A voice
not unlike God's (or Orson Welles') intones th~ follow-
in9 "prol09ue." SIMULTANEOUSLY, the WORDS SCROLL SLOW-
LY ACROSS THE SCREEN.
VOICE
(mock-serious,
CHURCH-LIKE .
MUSIC UNDER)
On the twenty-third day of the
month of September, in an early
year of a decade not too long
before our own, the human race
suddenly encountered a deadly
threat to its very existence.
(beat)
And this terrifying enemy surfaced
-- as such enemies often do -- in
the seemingly most innocent ••• and
unlikely ••• of places •••
The CHURCH-LIKE MUSIC CLIMAXES IN A DRUM ROLL as we see
light droplets of water hitting and causing RIPPLES IN
THE IMAGE. IMMEDIATELY, BUBBLEGUM-ROCK MUSIC KICKS IN
AS CAMERA PULLS BACK to reveal that the above-mentiOned
grey void is really a puddle of muck in a foul Skid Row
gutter and that a wino is passed out beside it,~his
long black hair soaking in the goo. We see now that a
light rain is falling as CAMERA MOVES UP to reveal:
2 CONTINUED: 2
SONG (V .0.)
Little Shop
Little Shoppa Horrors
Little Shop
Little Shoppa Terr~r
Call a cop!
Little Shoppa Horrors
No Oh Op Oh No-oh!
The TITLE FADES OUT and on another lightning flash we
CUT TO A DIFFERENT ANGLE OF the shop as three girls,
CRYSTAL, RONETTE and CHIFFON ENTER THE SHOT. They are
the ones we heard singing in voice-over. As CAMERA
TRUCKS WITH them, while KEEPING the shop in the back-
ground, they continue the number singing and dancing a"
la any girl group of the 1960~s:
GIRLS
Little Shop
Little Shoppa Horrors
Bop sh' bop!
Little Shoppa Terror
What 'em drop!
Little Shoppa Horrors
No Oh Oh Oh No-oh!
In the background of the PREVIOUS SHOTS we've seen not
only the shop but also: a malnourished dog poking
through an overturned garbage can, a pre-1960's car or
two passing by, newspapers being blown by the wind, and
a bum begging from people who quickly pass by grasping
umbrellas.
The Girls now turn and enter through the doors of the
shop.
GIRLS (cont.)
!n ~h~ air
(Yeah yeah yeah yeah)
Sha la la
Stop right where you are
Don'tcha move a thing!
The Girls have danced past a storage room and over to a
man who is sitting at the shop's counter reading a
newspaper which hides his face. The paper, "The Skid
Row Herald Examiner." The headline: UNEXPECTED TOTAL
ECLIPSE! END OF THE WORLD? The man lowers the paper
to turn the page and we see that it is MUSHNIK, the
shop's owner. Be glances at the door , ,then at the
clock, sighs, and returns to his newspaper. Be does
not notice the Girls who are inches away singing the
following right to him:
GIRLS (cont.)
You'd better
Tellin' you, you'd better
Tell yo' mama
Somethin's gonna get her
She'd better
Everybody'd better
Beware!
ON the word "beware" CAMERA FOLLOWS the Girls as they
dance over to a closed door. They open it and we~ CUT
TO A REVERSE SHOT OF the door as it is being opened and
the CAMERA LEADS the Girls down a dingy flight of
stairs as they sing:
GIRLS (cont.)
(Come-a, come-a, come-a)
Little Shop
Little Shoppa Borrors
Bob sh' bop
You'll never stop the terror
As the Girls reach the bottom they sing and dancE~ PAST
CAMERA TOWARDS •••
SEYMOUR
••• who is standing wi th his BACK TO CAMERA on tC)P of a
tall and dangerous -ladder" of crates, boxes and books.
Be is putting something away on a high shelf cran~ed
with clothes, comic books and assorted junk. Be" too,
does not notice the Girls as they Sing to him:
(CONTINUED)
4.
4 CONTINUED: (2 ) 4
GIRLS (cont.,
Little Shop
Little Shoppa Horrors
No oh oh oh no
Dh oh oh oh
Dh oh oh no-oh-oh-ohl
ON the last extended note of the song the Girls back
AWAY FROM CAMERA and we are LEFT ALONE WITH Seymour.
As he continues struggling we see an old beat-up RADIO
on the lower shelf next to him from which we hear:
RADIO (V.O.)
At his press conference today,
President Kennedy fielded
questions concerning last
Thursday's total eclipse of the
sun, an unpredicted and
unprecedented astrological
phenomenon which has baffled the
nation •••
DURING the broadcast we see Seymour teetering until
finally, losing his balance, he grabs for the shelf and
with a pathetic whimper he falls taking it, some potted
plants, comic books, clothing, junk, and radio down
wi th him. .
SFX: CRASH!
Seymour has dropped OUT OF SHOT. We BOLD ON what's
left of the wall as we hear •••
MOSHNIK (O.S.)
Seymour, what is going on down
there?!
Seymour pops BACK UP INTO FRAME IN A FULL-FACE CLOSEUP
and shouts:
SEYMOUR
Very little, Mr. Mushnik!
CUT TO:
MOSHNIK
(to himself)
Aren, g'vern, g'vQxen, akebebble,
mitzbeleh.
CUT TO:
5.
5 INT. BASEMENT - DAY 5
(CONTINUED)
6.
6 CONTINUED: 6
8 CONTINUED: 8
MUSHNIK
Audrey, that greasy boyfriend of
yours, he's beating up on you
again? Look, I know it's none of
my business, but I'm beginning to
think he's maybe not such a nice
boy.
AUDREY
You don't meet nice boys when you
live on Skid Row, Mr. Mushnik.
Seymour comes up from downstairs carrying a precarious-
ly balanced pile of clay pots.'
SEYMOUR
I got these pots unloaded for you,
Mr. Mushnik •••
But even before the sentence is finished, he has lost
his footing. Seymour and the pots fall to the floor
with an EAR-SPLITTING CRASH, identical to the ones we
have heard before.
MUSHNIK
Seymour! Look what you've done to
the" inventory!
AUDREY
Don't yell at Seymour, Mr. Mushnik.
SEYMOUR
(still on
the floor)
Hi, Audrey. You look radiant
today. Is that new eye makeup?
AUDREY
I'll help him clean it up before
any customers get here.
MUSHNIK
Well, that oughta give you plenty
of time.
Mushnik moves through the shop toward the front door.
MUSHNIK (cont.)
Look, God, what an existence I got.
8.
MtJSHNIK
Misfit employees, bums on the
sidewalk, business is lousy .•• my
life is a living hell.
He notices· Crystal, ~~~ette and Chiffon lounging idly
on the stoop next dool to the shop.
MUSHNIK (cont.)
You! urchins! Off the stoop! It
ain't bad enough I got the winos
permanently decorating the
storefront? I need three
worthless ragamuffins to complete
the picture?
The Girls start walking away as they speak.
RONETTE
Oh, we ain't botherin' nobody.
Are we, Crystal?
CRYSTAL
No we're not, Ronette.
MUSBNIK
(following them)
You oughta be in school.
CRYSTAL
We on the split-shift.
RONETTE
Right. We went to school 'til the
fifth grade. Then we split.
Mushnik has stopped following them.
MUSBNIK
(shouting at them)
So how do you intend to bet~er
yourself?
CRYSTAL
Better ourselves? You heard what
he said, Chiffon? Better
ourselves? Mister, when you from
Skid Row, ain't no such thing.
The Girls turn the corner into a darkened, narrow
street where we see trash cans and fire escapes, and a
WINO lying amidst the filth. About twenty yards in the
distance we see a WOMAN. She is in her fifties, wear-
ing a working uniform. She could b~ a waitress or a
maid. An old, worn coat hangs from her shoulders.
(CONTINUED)
9.
9 CONTINUED: 9
9 CONTINUED: (2 ) 9
NEW PERSON 2
(in a tenement window)
nowntown, where the food is slop.
10 CONTINUED: 10
AUDREY
Where they rip your slips.
ALL (0. S. )
Downtown!
AUDREY
Where r~lationships are no-go!
Audrey walks into:the street where everyone is posed
hyper-dramatically (a la "West Side Story") singing in
powerful chorus. She, also singing, moves amongst
them.
ALL PLUS AUDREY
Down on Skid Row
Down on Skid Row
Down on Skid Row
Down on Skid Row
Down on Skid Row
Down on Skid Row
Down on Skid Row!
13 CONTINUED: 13
MUSHNIK
Look at that! Six o'clock and we
haven't. sol.d so much as a fern.
All right. That's it. Don't
bother coming in tomorrow.
AUDREY
You don't mean •••
SEYMOUR
You can't mean •••
MUSHNIK
What? What? What don't I mean?
I mean I I m closed, for~let it, .
kaput.
AUDREY
You can't!
MUSHNIK
Kaput! Extinct. I'm closing this
God and customer forsaken place.
SEYMOUR
Mr. Mushnik,forgive me for saying
so, but has it ever occurred to
you that maybe what the firm needs
is to move in a new direction?
AUDREY
Seymour, why don't you run
downstairs and bring up that
strange and interestiI'lig new pla.nt
you've been working on?
Seymour helpfully exits.
AUDREY ( con t. )
You see, Mr. Mushnik, some of
those exotic plants that Seymour's
been tinkering around with are
really ••• unusual ••• and we were
both thinking that ma~rbe some of
those strange and interesting
plants, prominently displayed and
advertised, would att:cact
business.
Seymour is now standing behind them holding the same
withered plant we saw earlier in the basement. It
lOOKS even worse than it did before.
(CONTINUED)
15.
13 CONTINUED: (2 ) 13
SEYMOUR
I'm afraic it isn't feeling very
well today.
AUDREY
There, now isn't that ••• bizarre?
MUSHNIK
At least. What kind of a weirdo
plant is that, Seymour?
SEYMOUR
I dunno. It looks like some kinda
fly trap, but I haven't been able
to identify it in any of my books.
So I gave it my own name. I call
it an Audrey Two.
AUDREY
After me?
SEYMOUR
I hope you don't mind.
(beat)
You see, sir, if you put a strange
and interesting plant like this,
here in the window, maybe •••.
MUSHNIK
Maybe what? DO you have any idea
how ridiculous you sound? Just
because you put a strange and
interesting plant in the window,
people don't suddenly •••
A CUSTOMER opens the door to the shop.
CUSTOMER
Excuse me. I couldn't help
noticing that strange and
interesting plant.
Mushnik and employees look up in amazement.
CUSTOMER ( con t. )
What is it?
SEYMOUR
It's an Audrey Two!
CUSTOMER
I've never seen anything like it
before.
(CONTINUED)
16.
13 CONTINUED: (3 ) 13
SEYMOUR
No one has.
CUSTOMER
Where did you get it?
MUSIC: A harp? Bells? The kind of thJ. .. ~ that
signalled a flashback in musicals of the forties and
fifties. Seymour :looks off into the distance,
conjuring for him~elf the vision of his first encounter
with the plant.
SEYMOUR
Well -- you remember that total
eclipse of the sun a couple of
weeks ago?
FLASHBACK ("Da 000"):
Through this entire sequence, we hear Seymour in v.o.
and see him in the situations he describes. Crystal,
Ronette, and Chfffon are always in the recalled scenes
with him, just sort of there, hanging out on a stoop or
lurking in a corner, singing backup with appropriately
choreographed girl-group gestures.
GIRLS
(sung)
Da 000.
(CONTINUED)
19.
14 CONTINUED: (3 ) 14
EXTREME CLOSEUP of.Mandarin turning TO CAMERA and
flashing a knowing grin.
EXTREME CLOSEUP of the Girls, also smiling knowingly TO
CAMERA.
EXTREME CLOSEUP of two filthy BUMS, tneir faces
distorted and smiling. CAMERA PULLS BACK and we see we
are in ••.
15 CONTINUED: 15
CLOSEUP of Audrey.
AUDREY
Twice as many?
CLO: ... ·~P of the two Bums we see outside the window.
_ BUMS
(mouthing it ••• in
--mime)
nTwice as many?n
The two Bums quickly glance to the front door.
CLOSEUP of CUSTOMER 2 opening front door.
CUSTOMER 2
That plant in the window, it's
simply amazing!
CLOSEUP of CUSTOMER 3 opening front door.
CUSTOMER 3
That plant in the window,
wherever'd you get it?
CLOSEUP of CUSTOMERS 4 and 5 opening front door.
CUSTOMER 4
Look, there it is, Marge.
CUSTOMER 5 (MARGE)
Oh my gosh, it's peculiar!
CLOSEUP of the two Bums_ as they open the front door.
They are about to speak when a look of fear crosses
their faces and they turn and run as all the Customers
come piling out of the front door. They are laden with
bunches and bunches of flowers and are excitedly
babbling about that amazing plant.
MUSHNIK
(in the doorway,
waving good-bye)
Thank you! Come again! You know
where to find us! Come and look
at the weirdo plant some more.
It's just gonna get bigger and
more interesting!
He comes inside. There are no more flowers in the
shop. Sold out.
(CONTINUED)
21.
15 CONTINUED: (2 ) 15
MUSHNIK
Well, don't just stand there!
Quick, quick, quick. Put that
plant ••• what do you call it?
SEYMOUR
Audrey Two.
MUSHNIK
Put that Audrey Two back in the
window where the passersby can see
it! I don't mind admitting I'm
wrong when I'm wrong and I'm
wrong. My God, I'd never have
believed it. My children, I'm
taking us all out to dinner!
Seymour, excited, looks at Audrey. Audrey looks up,
intensely disappointed.
AUDREY
Oh, I'd like-to, Mr. Mushnik, but
I have a date.
She heads for the storage room. Mushnik follows her
in.
MUSHNIK
With the same nogoodnick?
17 INT. SHOP 17
As Audrey hurriedly passes through, Seymour gazes at
her longingly.
(CONTINUED)
22.
17 CONTINOED: 17
·AUDREY
(without looking
at him)
Goodnight, Seymour.
SEYMOUR
Goodnight •••
And she's gone. Seymour looks sadly off in her
direction. Mushnik emerges from the storeroom.
MUSHNIK
Poor girl.
SEYMOUR
(forlorn. Trying to
cheer himself up)
Are we still going to dinner?
Mushnik is about to answe:1:' kindly when his eye notices:
THE PLANT
It has wilted since we la:st saw it. It droops over the
side of its pot at a forty-five degree angle. Three
very serious descending ~JSICAL CHORDS underscore the
SHOT.
Mushnik approaches the plant, picks it up, and takes it
to Seymour.
MOSHNIK
You're not going anywhere,
Krelborn! You're staying right
here and taking care of this sick
plant!
SEYMOUR
I told you it's been giving me
trouble. It just wilts like
this. The Audrey Two is not a
healthy girll
MUSHNIK
Strictly between us, neither is
the Audrey One.
SEYMOUR
If only I knew what breed it was,
what genus. But it's nowhere in
the books.
(CONTINUED)
23.
17 CONTINUED: (2 ) 17
MUSHNIK
well, Krelborn, my advice to you
is you be~~er figure i~ out and
fast. Look what this exotic·
little beauty did for business.
SEYMOOR
I know.
MUSHNIK
So work, Seymour! Nurse this
plant back to health! I'm
counting on you!
SEYMOUR
I know.
MUSHNIK
(donning his coat,
hat and scarf)
You do?
SEYMOUR
I do.
MUSHNIK
So fix! Goodnight!
1-
18 EXT. SKID ROW - A GLOWING, DEEP PINK SUNSET 18
MUSIC IN: The intro to "Grow for Me.wAs we watch
Mushnik disappear, sunset gives way to evening. One by
one, lights pop on in windows up and down the street.
Winos light fires and huddle beside them with brown-
bagged bottles. A light pops on in Seymour's basement
. room.
19 CONTINUED: 19
21 CONTINUED: 21
Only when the plant'has its pod open and is about to
bite the engineer, does Seymour notice. He grabs the
,poa ana pulls it back.
22 CONTINUED: 22
SEYMOUR
Well ••• you remember that total
eclipse of the sun a couple of .
weeks ago?
23 OMITTED 23
& &
24 24
26 INT. STUDIO 26
SEYMOUR
(spoken)
I was walkin' in the wholesale
flower district that day •••
The CASH REGISTER RINGS. Its arawer opens as, from it,
Mushnik grabs and counts wads of money. In the back-
ground we see a sign in the window. It reads:
·Welcome to Mushnik's -- Home of the Audrey Two." A
·Closed" sign is on the door.
ANNOUNCER (V. 0 • )
(on radio)
And thus we conclude our interview
with Seymour Krelborn, the young
botanical ••• er, do you mind if I
call you a genius?
SEYMOUR (V.O.)
Gosh, no!
Mushnik shakes his head in disbelief.
ANNOUNCER (V .0.)
The genius who has discovered
America's largest and most amazing
unidentified plant.
(CONTINUED)
29.
27 CONTINUED: 27
SEYMOOR (V. o. )
I'd like to remind our listeners
that the Audrey Two is on display
exclusively at Mushnik's Skid Row
Florist's... .
During the above. From inside we see that Audrey is
outside banging on the front door. Mushnik rushes over
and opens it. H~r black eye is a little better, but
she now wears hei arm in a chic leopard-print sling.
AUDREY
Am I late? Did I miss it?
They move to the RADIO, on which we hear Seymour strug-
gling to get his last words in as the ANNOUNCER con-
cludes the broadcast.
SEYMOUR (V. 0 • ) ANNOUN CER (V. 0 • )
That's Mushnik's ••• M••• And so until next
U ••• S ••• B ••• N ••• I ••• Wednesday, this is Wink
K••• Open six days a week, Wilkensen saying so
ten to six! long and watch out for
what's weird.
Mushnik switches OFF THE RADIO.
MUSHNIK
That's what I call advertising.
Be grabs his coat and starts out the front door with
Audrey following.
AUDREY
Seymour's first radio broadcast.
I wanted to hear so bad. I. tried
to be on time, but •••
28 CONTINUED: 28
MUSHNIK
Handcuffed. Audrey, I don't know
who this noodnick is you're
hanging out with, but he is
hazardous to your health.
AUDREY
That's-for sure. But I can't
leave him.
MUSHNIK
Why not?
AUDREY
He'd get angry. And if he does
this to me when he likes me,
imagine what he'd do if he ever
got mad.
They arrive at her tenement door. Mushnik Sighs in
exasperation and leaves. Audrey turns and enters her
building.
MUSIC: Lead-in to ·Somewhere That'S Green.ft
37 INT. UPSTAIRS 37
Audrey and Seymour tuck the kids into bunk beds and
chuckle at the pets asleep with them.
AUDREY (V.O.)
I'm his December Bride
Be's Father, He Knows Best
The kids' room, next to our room
And a third room for a guest
A pict~re out of
Better Bomes and Gardens Magazine
Audrey and Seymour reach the threshold of their Early
Amer ican bedroom. Be lifts her up and we .tactfully
DISSOLVE BACK TO:
(CONTINUED)
34.
38 CONTINUED: 38
GIRLS (CONT'D)
Seymour, the shnook,
His life was the worst
Oh what a bore dirt poor is
Now take a look
HiE" ' lck has reversed
Joy to the boy! It sure is
Some fun now!
INSERT - SPINNING NEWSPAPER - "Skid Row Gazette."
HEADLINE -- "Mystery Plant at Mushnik's!"
INSERT - SPINNING NEWSPAPER - "Garden Club News."
HEADLINE -- "Audrey Two! The New Plant for the
Sixties?!" Photo of a larger Audrey Two being held by
a weaker-looking Seymour.
INSERT - SPINNING PERIODICAL - "The Second Annual
Horticultural Awards Luncheon." Several photos of
Seymour holding the, plant and accepting an award'.
GIRLS (cont.)
He was bringin' up the rear-o
(Some fun now)
He was ringin' ~p a zero
(Some fun now)
Now he's swingin' into gear-o
Some fun now
Now
TELEVISION APPEARANCE: Seymour, holding an ever-larger
Audrey Two talks with Groueho Marx on "You Bet Your
Life." The duck flies down. The secret word is
"chlorophyl."
GIRLS (cont.)
Some fun now
Most folks used to sock it to him
(Some fun now)
Told jokes, used to try to screw him
(Some fun now)
Now they're proud to say they knew him
(Some fun now)
Some fun now
INSERT - SPINNING "TV GUIDE." "TV Guide" stops
spinning, opens and CAMERA pushes in to see listing for
"Mr. Wizard."
TELEVISION APPEARANCE - Seymour, holding an even larger
Audrey Two, talks to Mr. Wizard and a couple of
thirteen-year-old kids who look too smart for their own
good.
(CONTINUED)
35.
38 CONT INtJED : (2 ) 38
GIRLS (cont.)
Some fun now
That's the way the Whoopie 90es
And
(Some fun now)
That's the way the garden grows
And
(Some f.un now)
Some fu·n heaven only knows
It's •••
STILL PHOTOS - Various stills of Seymour being more
successful.
GIRLS (cont. )
Some fun now!
Some fun now!
Some fun now!
Some fun now!
39 CONTINUED: 39
SEYMOUR
(looking very anemic)
Mrs. Shival I forgot!
MUSHNIK
You forgot! You forgot! Do yc '
hear this, God? Are you
listening, customers? He forgot!
Seymour heads for the storeroom.
40 CONTINUED: 40
AUDREY
(sh@ melts).
Oh •••
(she returns his
loving gaze)
Well •••
(there's magic in
the air)
..• I could help you pick things
out.
He can't believe what he's just heard. He leans
closer.
SEYMOUR
You could?
So does she.
AUDREY
Sure!
And closer •••
SEYMOUR
You'd go shopping with me?
AUDREY
Sure!
And closer •••
SEYMOUR
You'd be seen with me in a public
place like a department store?
AUDREY
Sure!
SEYMOUR
Tonight?
(CONTINUED)
39.
40 CONTINUED: (3 ) 40
44 ROOM ONE 44
Orin enters. A terrified patient, wearing God-awful
looking braces, is in the chair. Orin, still wearing
his motorcycle gloves, grabs an absolutely filthy,
crud-caked towel and ·cleans· his gloves.
ORIN
Your temperment's wrong for the
priesthood
And teaching would suit you still less.
(CONTINUED)
41.
44 CONTINUED: 44
Or-in grabs a large pliers from a cabinet full of
horrific-looking_dental instruments. He wrenches the
patient's head back and maniacally "tightens" the
patient's braces. Orin twists the braces with the same
subtlety he would use to jack up a car. The "patient
almost passes out.
ORIN (cont.)
Son, be ~
Dentist -
You'll be a success!
Orin exits. MUSIC VAMPS.
45 ROOM TWO 45
Grinning dementedly, he enters the room as a star would
enter a stage. A twelve-year-old boy sits in the
chair. His mother stands next to him, holding his
hand.
"GIRLS
(in room)
Here he is, folks
The leader of the plaque
Orin yanks the gas mask off the terrified boy and he
breathes in some gas.
GIRLS (cont.)
Watch him suck up that gas!
Oh my Godl
The mother faints. High on nitrous oxide, Orin giggles
maniacally and exits.
46 ROOM THREE 46
Orin enters giggling.
GIRLS (V.O.)
Be's a dentist and he'll never-ever be
Any good.
Another horrified PATIENT trembles in the chair as Orin
goes into the Patient's mout~ with a rusty pliers.
Orin emerges with a large rotted tooth, roots and all.
He flings the tooth aside and exits giggling.
(CONTINUED)
42.
46 CONTINUED: 46
GIRLS
(poking their heads
in the doorway)
Who wants their teeth done
By the Marquis De Sadel
MUSIC VAMPS.
47 ROOM FOUR 47
ORIN
(EXITING SHOT)
I am your
Dentist
(CONTINUED)
43.
47 CONTINUED: 47
48 THE HALLWAY 48
ROOM FIVE 49
Orin is hand cranking a WWlI field DRILL which emits a
horrible SCREECHING NOISE. The Patient is absolutely
catatonic with fear as, ever grinning, Orin gets down
to it.
ORIN
(over the SCREECHING
SOUND OF THE DRILL)
I thrill when I drill
A bicuspid
It's swell, though they tell me
I'm maladjusted
GIRLS
Dentist!
50 WAITING ROOM 50
Orin pokes his smiling head in.
ORIN
And though it may cause my
patients distress.
All the Patients in the waiting room cower back.
PATIENTS
Distress!
44.
51 ROOM rIVE 51
PATIENT
(about to pass out)
Aggggghhhh!
Orin is leering, menacing, and wild-eyed as he's drown-
ing the Patient.
ORIN
_ Say ah!
PATIENT
(gargling a scream)
Ahhhrrgggrri
ORIN
(smugly, straight
to CAMERA)
Now spi t.
(CONTINUED)
45.
51 CONTINUED: 51
SEYMOUR
(involuntarily)
Sir?
ORIN
(extremely affable)
I know you. Sure, I saw you on
the news ••• Gimme a minute, now.
I know your name ••• it's Cedric,
Steven, Simon •••
AUDREY
Seymour •••
ORIN
(suddenly vicious)
Somebody talkin' to you?
AUDREY
Oh no ••• Excuse me.
ORIN
Excuse me what?
AUDREY
Excuse me ••• Doctor.
ORIN
That's better.
(turns to Seymour~
a pussycat again)
I know, you're the Plant Guy,
right? Bey, wait! It must be in
there, huh?
(CONTINUED)
47.
54 EXT. DRIVE-IN 54
56 CONTINUED: 56
SEYMOUR (eon t. )
e'mon, I haven't got much left.
I'm all anemic, I've got dizzy
spells ••• Lookit, gimme a few days
to heal, okay? Then when the
headache passes, we'll start again
on the left hand and •••
The PLANT SPEAKS. - A deep, funky basso.
AUDREY TWO
Feed me.
SEYMOUR
I beg your pardon?
AUDREY TWO
Feed me!
SEYMOUR
Twoey ••• you talked ••• you opened
your tr ap , your___ thi ng and you
said •••
AUDRE-Y TWO
(loud)
Feed me, Krelborn! Feea me ..E.2!!!
Seymour frantically starts removing a band-aid and
starting toward the Plant.
- SEYMOUR
Look, maybe I can squeeze a little
more out of this one, but
Seymour stands over the gaping pod, trying to squeeze a
drop or two from his bone-dry finger.-
AUDREY TWO
More! Morel
_ SEYMOUR
There isn't any more! Whatdya
want me to do? Slit my wrists?
Silently the Plant opens its pod as if to say "You got
i tI"
SEYMOUR ( con t. )
(scared now)
Oh boy.
(trying to
stay calm)
Look ••• I got an idea •••
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
50.
S6 CONTINUED: (2) 56
SEYMOUR (CONT'D)
I'm-a-go down to Shmendrik's and
pick you up some nice chopped
sirloin.
AUDREY TWO
Must be blood.
. SEYMOUR
Twoey, :that's disgusting.
AUDREY TWO
Must be fresh.
SEYMOUR
I don't want to hear this.
MUSIC IN. "Git It." The Plant starts to sing.
AUDREY TWO
Feed me!
SEYMOUR
(spoken)
Does it have to be human?
AUDREY TWO
Feed me!
SEYMOUR
Does it have to be mine?
AUDREY TWO
Feed me!
SEYMOUR
Where am I s'posed to get it?
The Plant goes into a "Rock Me, Baby· style blUes riff,
swaying its leaves and moving its pod with slick in-
sinuation.
AUDREY TWO
Feed me, Seymour.
Feed me all night long
(spoken)
That's right, boy, you can do itl
(sung)
Feed me, Seymour
Feed me, all night long.
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
51.
56 CONTINUED: (3 ) 56
AUDREY TWO (CONT' D)
(laughing)
Henh, henh, henh, henh!
(sung)
'Cause if ya feed me, Seymour,
I can grov rp, big and strong!
Seymour starts for the storeroom. He's seen enough.
SEYMOUR
(spoken)
You eat blood, Audrey Two, let's
face it. Bow'm I s~posed to keep
on feeding you, kill people?
AUDREY TWO
(likewise)
I'll make it worth your while.
Seymour stops dead in his tracks.
SEYMOUR
What?
AUDREY TWO
You think this is all coinciden~e,
baby? The sudden success around
here? The press coverage?
SEYMOUR
Look, you're a plantl An
inanimate object!
Seymour heads out again. The Plant sends a vine flying
out across the room and wraps it around Seymour's
waist.
AUDREY TWO
Does this look inanimate to you,
punk?
(beat)
If I can talk and I can move?
Who's to say I can't do anything I
want?
SEYMOUR
Like what?
AUDREY TWO
Like deliver, pal. Like see you
get everything your secret, greasy
heart desires!
56 CONTINUED: (4) 56
AUDREY TWO (cont.)
Would you like a Cadillac car?
Or a guest shot on Jack Paar?
How about a date with Bedy Lamarr?
You gonna git it?
The Plant's vine spins Seymour around abruptly so he's
now facing the singing pod. It begins to rock in time
to its own music.:
AUDREY TWO (cont.)
Mm hm.
How'd ya like to be a big wheel
Dinin' out for every meal
I'm the plant who can make it real!
You gonna git itl
The Plant starts moving its vines and tendrils like an
octopus at a modern dance recital as the MUSIC turns
funky, slow, and hot.
AUDREY TWO (cont.)
I'm your genie
I'm your friend
I'm your willing slave
Take a chance,
Just feed me and
Ya know the kinda eats
The kinda red· hot treats
The kinda sticky, licky sweets I
CRAAAAAAAVE 1
On that word ·Crave,· the Plant opens its pod wide for
the first time, giving us a glimpse of ferocious teeth
inside.
One vine pulls up a chair while two other vines push
Seymour down onto the ~hair.
The pod rises up a bit now, so it's towering over the
seated Seymour like the genie from the lamp. The stem
on which it rests rocks out as the song starts going
for broke.
AUDREY TWO (cont.)
C'mon, Seymour
Don't be a putz
Trust me and your life'll surely rival
King Tut's
Show a little Initiative
Work up the guts
And you'll Git It!
(CONTINUED)
53.
56 CONTINUED: (5) 56
Seymour stands and, during the following lyrics which
Seymour sings to himself in VOICE OVER, he looks in a
mirror and sees ••• instead of his own face ••• the faces
of Crystal, Ronette and Chiffon grinning li~e Cheshire
Cats and WAILING a shrill Gospel counter-melody.
Seymour turns away only to see a Bum grinning dr~~ly at
him through the window.
SEYMOUR' (V.O.)
I don't know!
I don't know!
I have so many strong
Reservations!
Should I go
And perform •••
Seymour turns away from the grinning Bum and sees a
pair of scissors on the counter next to some shiny red
ribbon.
SEYMOUR ( con t. )
Mutilations?
Seymour, still lost in thought. The Plant over his
shoulder, leaning closer.
AUDREY TWO
(spoken)
You didn't have nothin' till you
met me. C'mon, kid. What'll it
be? Money? Girls? One
particular girl? Bow 'bout that
Audrey? Think it over. There
must be someone you could eight-
six, real quiet like ••• and git me
some LUNCH 1
The Plant rocks out again, moving its stem like Mick
Jagger moves his hips, leaning its pod over one of its
vines, almost as if the leaf held a microphone.
AUDREY TWO (cont.)
(sung)
Think about that room at the Ritz!
wrapped in velvet, covered in glitz!
A little nookie gonna clean up those
zits!
And you'll Git It!
Seymour turns away from the doorway and sings to him-
self.
SEYMOUR
Gee, I'd like a Harley machine •••
(CONTINUED)
54.
56 CONTINUED: (6) 56
AUDREY TWO
Now you're cookin'l
SEYMOUR
Toolin' around like I was James Dean •••
AUDREY TWO
Yeah!
SEYMOUR
Makin' all the guys on the corner
Turn green!
AUDREY TWO
So Go Gi tIt!
Ooooh-oooh-oooh-oooh
Seymour gets into it, now, as the Plant moves every-
thing it's got -- pod, vines, stem, leaves. It's actu-
ally dancing with Seymour -- who bugaloos right back at
it.
AUDREY TWO (cont.)
If you wanna be profound
And you really gotta justify
Take a break and look around
A lotta folks deserve to die!
The fun stops. Seymour can't believe what he just
heard.
SEYMOUR
(spoken)
Wait a minute, wait a minute!
That's not a very nice thing to
say.
AUDREY TWO
(spoken, nudging
him smugly)
But it's true, isn't it?
SEYMOUR
No! I don't know anyone who
deserves to get chopped up and fed
to a hungry plant!
AUDREY TWO
Mmmm, sure you do.
And with that, the Plant sends a vine sailing across
the room to a light switch, which it flicks off with
the greatest of ease.
(CONTINUED)
55.
56 CONTINUED: (7) 56
From the darkened shop's front window, the street out-
side is now plainly visible.
The Plant's vines take Seymour firmly by the shoulders
and point him toward the window.
AUDREY (O.S.)
Orin! That hurt!
ORIN (O.S.)
Can it!
58 CONTINUED: 58
Seymour turns away from the Plant and into a CLOSEUP
his face a knot of utter resolve.
59 CONTINUED: 59
Orin enters wearing a leather apron. He smiles madly~
his eyes are gl~zed.
ORIN
Next!
Denton springs to his feet.
DENTON
That's~me! Arthur Dentonl I'm
next!
ORIN
(askance at the
enthusiasm)
Does that have an appointment?
MISS MACK
Ask it. I'm off duty.
She leaves. Denton chatters away excitedly as he and
Orin head for the office.
DENTON
You know, I've been saving up all
month for this. I'm sure I need a
root canal. I'm sure I need 'a
very long, slow, root canal.
ORIN
We'll see.
DENTON
I have a history of dental
illness.
ORIN
Shu~ up!
DENTON
Yes, ~!
62 INT. OFFICE 62
Denton is in a frenzy. Orin, having paused in his work
for a moment, stares at him in disbelief.
DENTON
More! Yes! Yes! Yesl I want
it! Now! Now! Now! Yes!
(then quietly)
What's wrong?
ORIN
(under his breath)
Get out.
DENTON
Aw, come on, Doc.
ORIN
I said, get out!
Denton comes running out of the office, Orin following
close behind, carrying his drill.
ORIN (cont. )
I
62 CONTINUED: 62
SEYMOUR
Yeah.
ORIN
Would you like it if I took this
thing and made straight for your
goddarnn incisors?!
SEYMOUR
No!
ORIN
It'd hurt, right?
SEYMOUR
Right!
ORIN
You'd scream, right?
SEYMOUR
Right!
ORIN
Then get your ass in here!
SEYMOUR
What?!
Before Seymour can do anything, Orin has started haul-
ing him into the office.
63 INT. OFFICE 63
Seymour struggles, but Orin easily straps hiln into the
chair and shines the light right in Seymour's eyes.
ORIN
(as he straps him in)
Don't I know you?
SEYMOUR
Seymour Krelborn, we met yester •••
Orin forces Seymour's mouth wide open and looks in
gleefully.
ORIN
00, your mouth's a mess, kid.
Let's start with that wisdom
toothl
Orin gets his pliers.
(CONTINUED)
61.
63 CONTINUED: 63
SEYMOUR
No!
ORIN
We'll just rip the little bugger
right outa there, whatdya say?
SEYMOUR
Let me -:go!
Orin turns to Seymour, suddenly smiling.
ORIN
There's always time for dental
hygiene, Seymour. You ever seen
the results of a neglected mouth?
Look, Seymour!
With a flick of his finger, Orin turns on a light box,
similar to those used to read X-rays. This one, how-
ever, displays an enormous color slide of a disgusting,
rotted, decaying, salivating dog's mouth •
. ORIN (cont .. )
This could happen to youl
Seymour is about to be ill.
ORIN (cont.)
Unless I take immediate action.
Orin grabs his ~I field DRILL and starts to pump the
drill's pedal. It makes a high-pitched, HORRIBLE
SOUND.
SEYMOUR
What's that?
ORIN
That's the drill, Seymour.
SEYMOUR
It's rusty!
ORIN
It's an antique!
(fondly)
They don't make instruments like
this any more. Sturdy, heavy,
dull. This is gonna be a
pleasure.
Be is about to drill Seymour when he gets an idea and
stops abruptly.
(CONTINUED)
62.
63 CONT INUED: ( 2) 63
ORIN (cont.)
I'm gonna want some gas for this
one.
SEYMOUR
Gas?
ORIN
Nitrous oxide.
SEYMOUR
Oh, thank God. I thought you
weren't going to use any.
ORIN
Oh, the gas isn't for you,
Seymour. It's for me. I wanna
really enjoy this. In fact, I'm
gonna use my special gas mask.
As Orin speaks, he opens the cabinet and pulls out an
elaborate mask. He straps it on around his neck. he
is preoccupied enough not to notice •••
Seymour loosening his wrist restraints.
ORIN (cont.)
I find that a little giggle gas
before we begin increases my
pleasure enormously.
The mask in place now, Orin ~urns the knob on the wall
all the way up to Full.
ORIN (cont.)
Here we go!
HISSING SOUNDS. Orin immediately begins to get high
and giggle.
Be is laughing so hard now, he has to hold onto a
counter top for support. This turns his back toward
Seymour.
ORIN (cont.)
Oh boy, Seymour, I am flyin' now.
Oh, the things we are gonna do to
your mouth! Heeeeyaaaahahahahahal
Orin tries to regain composure and straighten up.
ORIN (cont.)
Okay, okay, okay, okay. Work to
do.
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
63.
63 CONTINUED: (3) 63
ORIN (CONT • )
(more laughter)
Time to work.
(more laughter)
Okay, okay, straighten up and •••
Be bomehow manages to pull himself to an upright posi-
tion and turns ar~und. Suddenly, his expression is one
of shock as he sees •••
Seymour, standing in the doorway, pointing a gun at
him.
ORIN (cont.)
What the hell is that?
Seymour closes his eyes and clenches his teeth, trying
to make himself shoot.
ORIN (cont.)
A gun.
(exploding with
laughter, then talking
through it with
difficulty)
The"kid's got a goddamn revolver!
(more laughter)
Jesus, I'm in trouble, huh?
Be giggles hysterically as he turns the gas knob.
It comes off in his hand. The HISSING SOUND continues.
This strikes him funny.
ORIN (cont.)
Oh oh •••
Laughs. Seymour keeps the gun pointed, trying to force
himself to actually pull the trigger.
Orin makes an attempt to get the mask off, but he can
barely get his arms up to his head. He's too weak from
the gas and the laughter.
ORIN (cont.)
Oh boy ••• uh ••• Oh ••• Seymour,
give me a hand, would ya? Er •••
no, I guess you wouldn't.
He laughs. Be tries to pull the hose out of the wall.
The entire gas apparatus comes with it, sending Orin
crashing to the floor. The HISSING CONTINUES.
(CONTINUED)
64.
63 CONTINtTED: (4 ) 63
69 EXT. COURTYARD 69
71 EXT. COURTYARD 71
Seymour grits his teeth, closes his eyes, and raises
the axe. -
ANGLE - THE COURTYARD WALL
Seymour's shadow. He brings the axe down. There's an
awful SOUND as it hits bottom.
CLOSEUP - MUSHNIK
His jaw drops. If this were 1925, his hair would stand
on end.
The shadow continues its task.
DISSOLVE TO:
67.
78 CONTINUED: 7B
AUDREY
But I!d still feel guilty. I
mean, if he met with foul play or
some terrible accident of some
kind, it'd partly be my fault, you
see. 'Cause secretly ••• I wished
it.
She fights back tears. Seymour works up the nerve to
sit beside her. After a beat, he speaks very gently.
SEYMOUR
Audrey, you shouldn't waste one
more minute worrying about that
creep. There's a lot of guys
would give anything to go out with
you. Nice guys.
AUDREY
I don't deserve a nice guy,
Seymour.
SEYMOUR
That's not true.
She rises and moves away. She could never say this to
his face.
AUDREY
I deserved a creep like Orin
Scrivello, D.D.S. You know where
I met him? In the gutter.
SEYMOUR
The gutter?
AUDREY
The gutter. It's a nightspot. I
used to work there. I'd put on
cheap and tasteles~ outfits ••• not
nice ones like this. Low and
nasty apparel, and I'd •••
She breaks. She sits on a pile of crates, weeping
softly.
MUSIC UNDER: the intro to "Suddenly Seymour." Seymour
comes close and kneels beside her.
SEYMOUR
Audrey, that's all behind you
now. You've got nothing to be
ashamed of.
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
70.
76 CON'I'INt.TED: (2) 78
SEYMOUR (CONT.)
You're a very nice person and I
always knew you were. Underneath
the bruises and the handcuffs, you
know what I saw? A girl I
respected. I still do.
(sung)
Lift up your head
Wash off your mascara
Here ••• take my Kleenex,
Wipe that lipstick away
Show me your face
Clean as the mornin'
I know things were bad
But now they're okay.
Be rises and is suddenly framed against a yellow morn-
ing sky, glimpsed at the end of the alley. For a
momen.t he's Gary Cooper, John Glenn, Gordon MacCrea.
Audrey looks up at him in awe.
SE'YMOUR ( con t. )
Suddenly, Seymour
Is standing beside you
You don't need no m~ke-up
Don't have to pretend
Suddenly, Seymour .
Is here to provide you
Sweet Understanding
Seymour's your friend.
Audrey does not sing back to him. She sings, instead,
to God, her eyes brimming with tears.
AUDREY
Nobody ever
Treated me kindly
Daddy left early
Mama was poor.
I'd meet a man and
I'd follow him blindly
Be's snap his fingers
Me, I'd say
·Sure"
As a look of quasi-religious redemption spreads across
her masacara-stained face:
AUDREY (cont.)
Suddenly, Seymour
Is standing beside me
Be don't give me orders
He don't condescend
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
71.
78 CONTINUED: (3) 78
AUDREY (CONT.)
Suddenly, Seymour
Is here to provide me
Sweet Understanding
Seymour's my friend.
Be moves toward her.
SEYMOUR
Tell me this feelin' lasts 'til forever
Tell me the bad times
Are clean washed away
She moves away from him, up onto a fire escape __ lito
think."
AUDREY
Please understand that
It's still strange and frightenin'
For losers like I've been
It's so hard to say •••
And ~he turns, all passionate commitment. Now he's on
the ground and she's on a fire escape. It's the bal-
cony scene. They reach for each other through the iron
bars.
AUDREY (cont.)
Suddenly, Seymourl
We POLL BACK to see that Crystal, Ronette and Chiffon
are lurking on another fire escape, across the alley,
prepared to sing backup.
SEntOUR & GIRLS
Suddenly, Seymour!
AUDREY
Be purified me!
SEYMOUR & GIRLS
He purified you!
AUDREY
Suddenly, Seymour!
SEYMOUR & GIRLS
Suddenly, Seymour!
AUDREY
Showed me I can --
With one grand Errol Flynn gesture, Seymour pulls him-
self up and floats ten feet high, up onto the fire
escape beside her.
(CONTINUED)
72.
78 CONTINUED: (4) 78
SEYMOUR
Yes, you can
AUDREY
Learn how to
ALL
Be more
The girl that's inside me (you)!
SEYMOUR
With Sweet Understanding
AUDREY
Sweet Understanding --
SEYMOUR
With Sweet Understanding
AUDREY
Sweet Understanding
ALL"
Sweet Understanding!
Seymour's My (Your) Man!
And at the number's close, they're locked in the quin-
tessential love-duet pose: his arms around her from
behind, faces close together, eyes glistening, and
mouths open to hold the last note as long as the ar-
rangement demands.
80 INT. BASEMENT 80
Seymour jumps on his cot. From under his pillow he
takes out a photo of Audrey. Be looks at it dreamily
and is just about to kiss it when he is startled by •••
MOSHNIK
You love her madly, don't you,
Shmuck?
(CONTINUED)
73.
80 CONTINUED: 80
80 CONTINUED: (2) 80
81 INT. SHOP 81
We now see the plant is singing.
AUDREY TWO
I think it's Suppertime!!
We INTERCUT between the shop, where the plant keeps
singing, and the BASEMENT, where Mushnik is holding the
gun on Seymour.
Mus.hnik backs Seymour up the stairs as we are aware
that Seymour is struggling to come up with a decent way
out. Must there be more bloodshed?
AUDREY TWO
Come on, come on
National Geographic!
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
75.
81 CONTINUED: 81
AUDREY TWO (CONT.)
Come on, come on
Your future with Audrey
Come on, come on,
Ain't no time to turn squeamish
Come on, come on
I swear on all their spores,
When he's gone the world will be
yours! -:
82 CONTINUED: 82
CUT TO Musbnik.
MUSHNIK
And it, would be a shame, all
things considered that your •••
life's work shouldn't be here
waiting for you.
CUT TO the Girls who are now inside the shop sitting on
the counter.
GIRLS
(singing)
. Come on ••• come on •••
CUT TO Mushnik.
MUSHNIK
So ••• if you want me to ••• take
care of this plant of yours ••• I
assume you fertilize •••
CUT TO the Girls who are now standing right next to
Seymour.
GIRLS
(singing)
Come on ••• come on •••
SEYMOUR
She ••• needs ••• to be fed, sir.
The PLANT RUSTLES ITS LEAVES in anticipation.
MUSHNIK
Fed?
CUT TO the Girls who, still inside the Shop, are in
front of the display window. A couple of filthy bums
are outside leering through the window just behind the
girls.
GIRLS
(singing with more
insistence now)
Come on ••• come on •••
SEYMOUR
Just ••• potash ••• you know ••• the
usual minerals and all.
MUSHNIK
Of course.
(CONTINUED)
77.
82 CONTINtJ'ED: (:2) 82
As Seymour speaks he casually backs Mushnik towards the
plant.
SEYMOUR
And on Thursdays you give it
wat~ ... _.
CUT TO the Girls who are now grinning behind the plant.
GIRLS
(singing with dark
intensity)
Come on ••• come on •••
CUT TO the Bums who are grinning menacingly through the
window.
CUT TO Seymour.
SEYMOUR
Of course .you have to clean
the leaves.
MUSHNIK
Yes •••
SEYMOUR
But most importantly, whatever you
do •••
MUSHNIK
Yes •••
CUT TO the Girls.
GIRLS
(singing ••• a~ost
hissing)
Come on ••• come on •••
CUT TO Seymour.
SEYMOUR
••• whatever you do ••• just be
sure •••
By now we see the plant has opened its vast, cavernous
mouth and is waiting •••
CUT TO the Bums outside leering.
CUT TO Mushnik.
MOSHNIK
Yes? •• Yes? ••
(CONTINtJ'ED)
78.
82 CONTINUED: (3 ) 82
82 CONTINUED: (4) 82
He extends a contract to Seymour who just stands there
in CLOSEUP thrown.
WOMAN'S VOICE (O.S.)
Yes, darling, we're sending
photographers Thursday.
CAMERA PULLS BACK from Seymour and we see that we are
in •••
84 CONTINUED: 84
The words on the logo read ••• "Seymour Krelborn's
Gardening Tips." A TV EXECUTIVE, WRITER and FLUNKY are
sitting with Seymour.
TV EXECUT lVE
"he 'title is Marvin's.
WRITER
The co~cept is mine.
The Flunky produces a contract and pen and urges them
on Seymour.
FLUNKY
The first weekly gardening show on
our networkl
TV EXECUTIVE
And you're gonna host it, you
lucky kid.
EXECUTIVE, WRITER and FLUNKY
Sign!
CUT TO:
II '
85 INT. TYPING POOL - DAY 85
We are CLOSE IN on two tall impressive looking mahogany
doors. The doors swing open. CAMERA PULLS BACK as we
see two men, one holding a contract, the other smoking
a cigar and with his arm around Seymour. They walk
PAST CAMERA and we hold on Crystal, Ronette, and
Chiffon in the foreground. They are each sitting at a
desk in front of typewriters. In the background are
about ten women also at desks with typewriters. They
type and bounce in time to the music as the girls sing.
GIRLS
They say the meek Shall Inherit
You know the Book doesn't lie
It's not a question of merit
It's not demand and supply
CUT TO:
86 CONTINUED: 86
GIRLS (v.O.)
They say the meek gonna get it
And you a meek little guy
CAMERA PUSHES PAST him toward the back of the limo. We
see that it is an exaggerated "stretch" limo ••• about
fifty feet long. Over this the GIRLS SING •••
GI RLS (V. 0.) ( con t. )
You know the meek are gonna get ~hat's
comin' to 'em
By and by •••
CAMERA PUSHES FORWARD to see Seymour si tting in the
back seat flanked by two men urging him to sign a con-
tract. A buxom woman sits on Seymour's lap offering
him champagne. Seymour looks very confused. As CAMERA
CLOSES IN on the group, one of them lets money fall
onto Seymour's lap as we •••
DISSOLVE TO:
87 LIMBO 87
••• Money falling in SLOW MOTION in front of Seymour's
face as Seymour's unconscious sings in v.o.
SEYMOUR (V. 0 • )
My future's starting
I've got to let it
Stick with that plant, and gee,
My bank account will thrive
The green, slow falling money has turned into green,
thick, undulating plan~ vines. Seymour now struggles
to disentangle himself from them.
S:EYMOUR (V.O.) (cont.)
What am I saying
No way, forget it
It's much too dangerous to keep that
plant alive.
Be finally frees himself and runs as we •••
CUT TO:
88 LIMBO 88
A long, seemingly endless tunnel.
(CONTINUED)
82.
88 CONTINUED: 88
89 LIMBO 89
A dirt floor. An hour glass sits on a short ionic
column. The sand in the top of the hour glass is
green, but as it falls and collects on the bottom it
becomes red. Tormented and panicky, Seymour races in
FROM CAMERA and runs into the distance. Be is nude,
except for his glasses and his cap.
SEYMOUR (V. 0 • )
I sign these contracts,
That means I'm willing
To keep on doing bloody, awful, evil
things
CUT TO:
90 LIMBO 90
All is dark. We follow Seymour who is perspiring
heavily and running with all he's got. Suddenly he
stops because in front of him is a very large hand-
tinted photo portrait of a jaunty, smiling Mushnik.
Blood oozes down from the top of the photo.
SEYMOUR (V.O.)
No! No!
There's only so far you can bend!
Seymour whips around TO CAMERA and we see that he is
now a plant. Be is green, with plant markings.---Vines
are where his arms should be. Of course he still wears
his glasses and cap as we POLL BACK and see that he is
buried ass-high in a terra-cotta pot.
SEYMOUR (V.O.) (cont.)
Nol No!
This nightmare must come to an end!
83.
91 INT. BASEMENT - EXTPJ::ME CLOSEUP - NIGHT 91
of Seymour's face as he violently sits up from his
cot ••• perspiration dripping from him.
SEYMOUR
No! No!
CUT TO:
Seymour, in his pajamasl at the tool chest. He grabs
the axe.
SEYMOUR (con t. )
You've got no alternative, Seymour
old boy.
CUT TO:
Seymour now at the stairs leading to the shop. Half
crazed, he climbs them as he sings •••
SEYMOUR (con t. )
Though it means you'll be broke again
And unemployed,
It's the only solution
.It can't be avoided --
The vegetable must be destroyed.
He has reached the top of the stairs. He flings open
the door. As it swings open he sees Audrey's smock
hanging from it. Seymour's expression softens.
Forlorn and heartsick he turns away and with a tear in
his eye sings •••
SEYMOUR (cont.)
But then •••
There's Audrey.
Lovely Audrey •••
DISSOLVE TO:
92 LIMBO 92
A promontory on top of which Audrey stands. She looks
like a goddess. She wears a flowing dress and wrapped
around her neck is a very, very long diaphanous scarf
that extends behind her about fifty feet blown by a
strong wind.
SEYMOUR (V. 0 • )
If life were tawdry and impoverished
as before
She might not like me
She might not want me
(CONTINUED)
84.
92 CONTINUED: 92
CAMERA HAS POLLED BACK to a WIDE SHOT. We see Seymour
standing off at a distance and looking up at her with
his arms outstretched. He is Gene Kelly, and she, Cyd
Charisse. She runs down and towards him through the
dense dry ice smoke lapping at her feet.
SEYMOUR (V.O.) (eont.)
Without my plant •••
On the word ftplant,ft Audrey runs past Seymour's waiting
arms and falls into the waiting vines of Audrey Two who
has been just O.S.
SEYMOUR (V.O.) (cont.)
She might not love me
Any more
CUT TO A CLOSEUP of Seymour. He looks up at someone in
soft, sad resignation. CAMERA BEGINS TO PULL BACK AND
UP.
GIRLS (V.O.)
They say the meek shall inherit.
CAMERA PULLS BACK AND HIGH making Seymour ·look very
smal+. He now stands on a very large eontraet which
eovers the entire floor.
A hand extends, from CAMERA, toward Seymour. The hand
holds a contract.
SEYMOUR
Where do I sign?
GIRLS (V.O.)
You know the book doesn't lie.
The hand, and arm, have extended about fifteen feet
from CAMERA to Seymour. The arm is the Agent's, whose
face appears in the extreme foreground.
AGENT
Right on the line.
GIRLS (V.O.)
It's not a question of merit.
CUT TO A MEDIUM SHOT of Seymour. He turns around as,
behind him, the Blonde Lady floats in horizontally like
Chagall's lovers. She, too, holds a contract.
BLONDE LADY
Your pen or mine?
(CONTINUED)
85.
92 CONTINUED: (2) 92
GIRLS (V.O.)
It's not demand or supply.
Seymour turns around completely now as a MAN rises from
below like a phantom, right in front of Seymour. He
holds a pen and contract.
. MAN 1
Paragr~ph nine.
Seymour signs the contracts.
GIRLS (V.O.)
You'll make a fortune, we swear
it.
The TV Executive pops up from behind Seymour and grabs
the signed contract.
TV EXECUT IVE
This'copy's mine.
GIRLS (V.O.)
If on t~is fact you rely
ALL
Bye bye. So long!
93 LIMBO 93
94 CONTINUED: 94
GIRLS
(they are in the
crowd now)
Bye •••
And •••
Bye •••
SEYMOUR
Pleasel Pleasel Let me through.
SECURITY MAN
Hey, get back. They're filming.
Security Man pushes him back, knocking Seym~ur into a
surly WINO.
WINO
Hey, watch where you're goin'.
A scuffle ensues in which Seymour is punched and man-
handled by Winos and Security.
SEYMOUR
(the ultimate
confession)
It's true. I did it. I fed them
to it.
AUDREY
-(sweetly)
And that's what made it so big and
strong and you so famous?
SEYMOUR
(he hates himself)
I've done terrible things, but not
to you, never to you.
AUDREY
But •••
(an idea dawns)
I want you to, Seymour.
SEYMOUR
What?
AUDREY
(tenderly)
When I die, which should be very
shortly, give ~ to the plant so
it can live to bring you all the
wonderful things you deserve.
SEYMOUR
You don't know what you're saying
Audrey is transfigured, she's Joan of Arc, Little Eva,
Melanie Wilkes going out in a blaze of angelic self-
lessness.
AUDREY
But I do. It's the one gift I can
give you. And if I'm in the
plant, then I'm part ~ the plant.
So, in a way ••• we'll always be •••
together.
(sung quietly, with
her dying breaths)
You'll wash my t~nder leaves
You'll smell my sweet perfume
You'll water me and care for me
You'll see-me bud and bloom.
I'm feeling strangely happy now,
Contented and serene.
Oh~ don't you see •••
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
96.
103 CONTINUED: (2) 103
AUDREY (CONT.)
Finally I'll be •••
Somewhere that's •••
(she reaches toward
the vision)
Green!
And she collapses. There, in the moonlight, under a
street lamp, she:dies in his arms.
MUSIC: "The Death of Audrey," a chorale with angelic
voices and string orchestra, underscores as Seymour
lifts his love from the ground.
Behind him, through the shop window, we can see the pod
open ceremoniously.
ANGLE -- Seymour holding Audrey, pod in b.g.
The pod emits be·ams of light now, plunging Seymour and
his dead love into dramatic silhouette. He carries her
slowly toward the source of light.
VOICE (D.C.)
Mr. Krelborn ••• Mr. Krelborn •••
MARTIN
Patrick Martin. I'm in Licensing and
Marketing. I wanna show you something.
SEYMOUR
'.
I'm not interested.
MARTIN
Aah, but you will be._ Look. _ •
MARTIN
•.• 1 took the liberty of taking a cutting
from that amazing plant of yours and see
what it grew in just a couple of days •••
MARTIN has taken out a tiny AUDREY TWO ••• about a few
incbes tall but looking exactly like the re&l AUDREY TWO.
It sits in a delightful, well designed container on which
are written the word~: "Audrey Two".
Seymour, surprised and uncomprehending, just stares at it.
MARTIN
The design boys made the little pot.
Cute;hUh? Get the idea? My firm is
willing to pay you a reasonable amount
to take leaf cuttings ••• develop little
Audrey Two's ••• and sell them to florist
shops -- supermarkets across the nation.
Why pretty soon. every household in
America could have one.
MARTIN
Imagine it boy. We'll make a fortune~
Audrey Twos everywhere~
ECHO
Ever:r«here ••• everywhere ••• everywhere •••
everywhere'••••
MARTIN
This
. w.
thing could be bigger than Hula Hoops~ "
ECHO
Hula hoops ••• Hula hoops ••• Hula hoops •••
, .' l1ARTIN
MARTIN
(Shouting)
Mr. Krelborn~ Mr. Krelborn~ Hey~
We don't h~ve to deal with you, you knowt
A goddamned'vegetable's public domaint
You ask our lawyerst
INT. THE SHOP.
Se~our bursts through the door and faces the plant, which
is even bigger, stronger, and healthier now. It dwarfs him
completely.
SEYMOUR
Every household in Americat
That's what you had in mind all along,
isn't it?
AUDREY TWO
(Its voice now an
unearthly rumble)
No shit, Sherlock.
99.
110 CONTINUED: 110
SEYMOUR
We're not talking about one hungry
plant here! We're talking
about ••• World conquest!
AUDREY 'l'WO
You go~ itl
SEYMOUR
You ate the only thing I ever
loved! 1
The plant, laughing, draws it~elf up to its full height
and begins to sing from old-fashioned Rock and Roll.
AUDREY TWO
I used to hear the people talk about
That old King Kong.
They used to say he was the meanest,
But them folks was wrong.
He climbed the Empire State.
(the building ain't that big)
Shoot, I could climb in half the time,
But climbin' ain't my gig.
I'm just bad!
I'm real bad!
I'm bad!
Seymour is at the counter. He opens the drawer and
takes out the gun and loads it with bullets.
AUDREY TWO (cont.)
You know Godzilla was a monster,
He was mighty mean.
Now, even I had to respect him,
"Cause the boy was green.
But when he said to me
"Bey, Audrey, you ain't all that
tough,"
I had to show that leapin' lizard
I was tough. enough!
Seymour aims and FIRES at the plant.
AUDREY TWO (cont.)
He said "Gad!"
Be FIRES AGAIN.
AUDREY TWO (cont.)
"Don't get mad!"
And AGAIN.
(CONTINUED)
100.
Seymour tries to get the little pods with the axe but
they're too fast for him as he smashes the wall, the
floor, the counter.
AUDREY TWO
Go on and bitch and whine and wail and
curse
Too bad! I'm bad!
LITTLE PODS
Bad!
AUDREY TWO
Bad!
LITTLE PODS
Bad!
Seymour's had it. Be just throws the axe at Audrey
Two. The plant catches it and flips it from vine to
vine. It gives Seymour a little juggling show.
AUDREY TWO
And if you mess with me,
I'll just get worse!
The plant heaves the axe at Seymour. Seymour side-
steps it in the nick of time and it goes crashing
through a window. Seymour's really angry. During the
following lyrics he throws a chair at the plant. It
catches the chair. Be throws a small table at the
plant. It catches the table. Be throws a shovel. It
catches the shovel.
AUDREY TWO (con t. )
One day I met the Bri~e of
Frankenstein,
(So much for her)
Just one encounter"and she called me,
RMr. Audrey, sir.R
CLOSEUP of Seymour grabbing the cash register to throw
at the plant ••• but it's too heavy for him. But damn
itl ••• he's not giving up and ••• yes he's lifting itl
But no. CAMERA POLLS BACK and we see a vine wrapped
around it. It's the plant who's lifting it up and out
of Seymour's arms.
AUDREY TWO (eont.)
So"it's a cinch no puny baldy of a
botanist
Is gonna be a half a match. for me when
I get pissed.
You got it, Dad?
(CONTINUED)
102.
SEYMOUR
I'll warn 'emt I'll warn 'emt I'll tell
'em!you're comingt The human race won't take
this lying down~ And wherever.your kind grows •••
whatever you try ••• WE'LL BE WAITING FOR YOUt
Seymour tUrns and runs pushing his way through a few bums
that have been watching.
SEYMOUR
(Shouting to the rooftops)
They're comingt They're comingt Don't feed
'emt Don't feed the plantst Don't feed the
plantst
~
'
.. ..
' ~
......, . ." ...
,.'
•• I /
104
CRYSTAL
Suhsp.quent to the events
You have just witnessed
Similar events in cities
Across America •••
Cut to:
.,Dissol ve to:
Look out!
Medium shot of the fac- of the Here com~s A~drey Twoi
Statue of .Liberty as we see green Look outt
tentacles oozing from the inside of her •
crOwn and covering her eyes like - .. , . AUDREY TWO
.. _-
Hcdusa's snakes. Anothp.r Audrey Two Here I come for you!
iE at the end of her a,..m '!iweloping the
torch ~ith it's tentacles. On the ground CHORUS (V .0.)
are police search liehts ~nd the National Here I come for
Guard firj.n~ up at the pll'l]'lts. Rere I eome for
Here I come for
you~ tt n
EXT. NEW JERSEY. NIGHT • CHORUS (V.O. Cont.)
(Singing)
In the background l1anhattan is
on fire. In the foreground two or Hold )'our hat
three more Audrey Two's are attacking ••
a mind boggling mass of leaves, vines,
tendrils, and roots.:.they are lumbering And hang onto your soult
towards the foreground. Suddenly, from ..
the di~tance, a torn, hasgard figure comes
runn~ng to' camera. Crazed and totally Something's comin'
hysterical he rllns up i,nto an 'extreme
close-up ••• his face filling the screen
, I
as he screams •• To eat the ....orld wholet
I -
"r I'SE'Y}40UR,·,:~" •. I
They're·Heret~ They're herett If we fight it
~unt 1 : THEY' ~E HERE! L t. t, .
. ., II I ..
CREDITS ROL4>-
I.
(After last credit ••• in black ••• as people
are leaving,the theatre ••• a very large, low,
rumbling laugh •• )
Presents
A FRANK OZ FILM
RICK MORANIS
ELLEN GREENE
VINCENT GARDENIA
Directed by FRANK OZ
Produced by DAVID GEFFEN
Screenplay by HOWARD ASHMAN
Audrey II Designed and Created by LYLE CONWAY
Choreography by PAT GARRETT
Film Editor JOHN JYMPSON
Director of Phography ROBERT PAYNTER, B.S.C.
Production Designed by ROY WALKER
Special Visual Effects by BRAN FERREN
Music Produced by BOB GAUDIO
Original Motion Picture Score by MILES GOODMAN
Line Producer WILLIAM S. GILMORE
Music by ALAN MENKEN
Lyrics by HOWARD ASHMAN
OPENING ANNOUNCEMENT STORY
ON
at the
original story and the stage production into its own unique
-more-
OPENING ANNOUNCEMENT STORY
-wb-
"LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS"
- Production Information -
Iceland.
With the acquisition of the screen rights by the David
Geffen Company, the voracious Venus people-trap had
blossomed thrice. Geffen's goal was to fuse the elements
of the original story and the show into its own unique
entity.
The time-frame, he decided , would remain intact.
Downtown, it is still 1960. Here, Seymour Krelborn (RICK
MORANIS) toils slavishly for Mushnik (VINCENT GARDENIA),
who plucked him "as a tyke" from the Skid Row Home for
Homeless Boys. In his basement bedroom, where he raises
exotic foliage, Seymour pines for Audrey (ELLEN GREENE),
the lithe, blonde salesgirl with the Betty Boop voice and
cinema noir wardrobe.
But Audrey is literally a prisoner of love. Her
steady crush--in more ways than one--is Orin Scrivello
(STEVE MARTIN), a biker dentist whose delight for burning
rubber is only exceeded by his joy for inflicting pain.
When he isn't giving root canals a bad name or getting high
on his own nitrous oxide, Scrivello spends most of his time
:C.'
more than one ton, and make it rap and boogie with a life
of its own."
One aspect which concerned director Oz was Audrey II's
lip synching. "It had to be perfect," says Conway. "Frank
didn't want big, flapping hamburger buns." To get the right
effect took as many as forty puppeteers.
By the time Conway's work was finished, he'd gone
through 15,000 hand-made leaves, 2,00 0 feet of vine, several
hundred gallons of KY Jelly and 11 1/2 miles of cable.
("Just slightly more cable than was used to build the
Brooklyn Bridge," he says proudly .)
But Audrey II was only half-alive.
Still to come was the character's voice, performed by
Levi Stubbs, an original member of the Four Tops. Says
musical director Robby Merkin: "If I die tomorrow, working
with Levi will get me into heaven . Here's a modest, con-
summate pro who has been singing for thirty years in a
group that changed the face of popular music.
"He can sing anything, any way you ask him. We showed
him what the plant would look like and a light bulb went on
in his head. From then on, he ~ the plant."
Combining the film's diverse elements into a hothouse
of horrors began long before a camera turned. The first
phase of the process was in the hands of production designer
Roy Walker, an Academy Award winner for "Barry Lyndon," a
nominee for "Yentl," and a subject of critical acclaim for
his work with Roland Joffe on "The Killing Fields."
-more-
"LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS" - Production Information -9-
he was given his own show, and soon became a popular on-air
personality.
Seguing into cabaret comedy , Moranis performed in
Toronto nightclubs, then moved into Canadian television.
After several years of writing and performing, he was asked
to join "Second City Television" in its third season. When
the satirical comedy show was picked up by an American net-
work, it not only won an Emmy but also brought Moranis
national recognition.
In solo spots on "SCTV," Moranis earned special
acclaim for his comedic portrayals of such personalities
as Woody Allen and Dick Cavett, and won Emmys for comedy
writing in 1981 and '82.
With Dave Thomas he created the McKenzie Brothers
(Bob and Doug)--beer-guzzling phi losophers from the Canadian
north woods, whose goofy antics became an "SCTV" mainstay.
When the "McKenzie Brothers " made an album, it won
a Grammy nomination. When they made their screen bow, it
was as the stars, co-writers and co-directors of "Strange
Brew"--the top-grossing Canadian film of 1983.
Moranis has since appeared in "Streets of Fire" and
"Club Paradise," as well as "Ghostbusters."
Even though she wanted Audrey to "be ripe enough to
falloff a tree," ELLEN GREENE insists there is something
"playful and kittenish about her ..• she I s a child/woman you
fall in love with because of her imperfections."
-more-
"LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS" - Production Information -12-
-wb-
CAST OF CHARACTERS
Cry stal .•..... .. ••• •• .. • •. •• ..... •.....•..• • .•.•. ..•. ..•••. TICHINA ARNOLD
Pat rick Ma rtin ...• •• •••••.. •.• .• •.••• . . . ..•..• . ••. ... . ..... . JAMES BELUSHI
Narra tor ... •.......•. ..... .. ....•••• •.•.....••....•... .... . . STANLEY JONES
"Down town " Bum Il l . ..... . . .... . . .. . .. ...... ... . . ....... .. ..... .... ED WILEY
"Downtown" Bum #2 .. .... .. .... .. ... . .... ... .... . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . ALAN TILVERN
"Downtown" Bum 113 •••• •••••••••••••••••••• ••••• •••••••••• JOHN SCOTT MARTIN
Chinese Floris t ..•.... .•• .....• • ... •.••...... .....••• •• .. • . •• VINC ENT WONG
Doo Wop Street Singers • ...•.•.• • .. .••• •• .••••......••.. . .....• . MAK WILSON
DANNY CUNNI NGHAM
DANNY JOHN-JULES
GARY PALMER
PAUL SWABY
Second Cus tomer ... . . ..•.. ..•••.. •. •..•.•.• • .•••.•••. ... • . •• .• MILDRED SHAY
Third Cus t omer .• ••........•.. •••• ... ....... . .. ... ..... . . .. MEL IS SA WILTS IE
Fourth Customer .•. • .•• . ......• ••• ........ . . •...... . ... ...... .. KEVIN SCOTT
Fifth Cus tomer ••.• ••• .•..•.••....•... •••.•••.•••• .•... •• BARBARA ROSENBLA T
Radio Station Assistant .. •• . •• •.. ... •.. ......... . ... . .. ....... ADEEN FOGLE
CAST OF CHARACTERS • ••• 2
* * * *
THE CREDITS
Music Arranged and Adapted by ••••. ••••••••••• ROBBY MERKIN & BOB GAUDIO
Assistant Art Director ......... .. ................ ...................... .... ...... ............. JIM MORAHAN
ADDITIONAL PERFORMERS
MADELINE ADAMS MARTIN ANTONY
TONY ANTONY JOAN BARTON
AILSA BERK RICHARD BRAIN
MARTIN BRIDLE FIONA BENYON BROWN
SIMON BROWN DAVID BULBECK
GEORGIA CLARKE RICHARD COOMBS
DEBBIE CUMNING PHIL EASTON
MARY EDWARDS GEOFF FELIX
MIKE HALFORD LESLIE HAYNES
PENNY HETHERINGTON HELEN JOANN IDES
RONNIE LE DREW PATRICIA MARTINELLI
SALLY McCORMACK STEPHEN MOTTRAM
RUSSELL NASH ALISON NEIL
GRAHAM NEWTON ANGIE PASSMORE
NIGEL PLASKITT JUDY PREECE
PETER ROBBINS GILLY ROBIC
ANNA SAVVA DAVID SHOWLER
JOHN STYLES NICHOLAS TEMPLE
IAN THOM DAVID TRAINER
PATTI WEBB SINON WILLIAMSON
FRANCIS WRIGHT SASKIA WRIGHT
The Credits . . . 5
ANIMATRONICS STAFF
Negative Cutter ..... • .. • • • ••••••• •.• • ••••••.• . ••• • • •••••• DONAH BASSETT
Color Timer ..... .. . .. ................................ .. .. .......... ...... .... .. .. .................... DICK RITCHIE
Special Visual Effects by ASS OCI ATES & FERREN, New York
Graphics & Animation .•••••• • ... ... .... ••••••• •••••..••••••.•• DICK RAUH
PETER WALLACH
VALERIE BAIAEDI
NICHOLAS BAUM
MICHAEL N . CAPUTO
BRADEN CLARY
MICHAEL FAERI-IAN
GREGORY M. HARKER
DENNIS JORDAN
JOE LAUDATI
DON POYNTER
MICHAEL SULLIVAN
MICHAEL TABACC O
MICHAEL VENTRESCO
BRIAN WATERSON
VINCENT N. YACENDA
The Cre.di.ts . . . 10
Special Thanks to
HORTICULTURE MAGAZINE
BETTER HOMES AND GARDENS
TV GUIDE MAGAZINE
PAUL DOOLEY
and
ROBIN OZ
Filmed entirely at
PINEWOOD STUDIOS LTD.
Iver Heath, Buckinghamshire, England
Re-Recorded at
THE GOLDWYN SOUND FACILITY
Warner Hollywood Studios