Still Fun, After Repeated Viewings!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                     I have to give AIP credit, darlings.  After having such camp hits as 'Teenage Werewolf,' "Teenage Frankenstein,' and my personal favorite, "Blood Of Dracula," I imagine the studio wanted to do something a little more substantial.  By the way, did you know lead actor here, Robert H. Harris, and Louise Lewis, who plays the repressed lesbian Miss Branding, in "Blood Of Dracula," were, in real life, married?  Only here, girls, does one get such bon-bons of information.

                                     Two things I discovered this time out.  The climax of the film, in color recalls 1953's "House Of Wax."  Second, it shows Robert H. Harris was underrated as a character actor.  In what is essentially a one-note role, he injects so much into it--homosexuality, evil, dominance, anger, resentment, hurt, even some pathos at the end when he screams plaintively, "I must save my children!"

                                        Then look at him as Henry Bellows, in 1967's "Valley Of The Dolls." Hard to believe it is the same actor.  But that is what acting is all about, darlings!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!   I mean, I have been craving to play the Bette Davis/Mildred Rogers role in a remake of "Of Human Bondage!!!!!!!!!

                                          And our friend Cucumbo, was pleased as punch to be given so much screen time in the final scene.  He has been champing at the bit for Svengoolie to show his signature movie, 1956's "It Conquered The World."  Where Beverly Garland takes on the creature like she is doing Shakespeare!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Really, dolls, it is a hoot.

                              Now, after this AIP gem, "Sventoonie" unearthed a real surprise for us, one I had not seen since a small child, and one that, sad to say, does not hold up, years later.  To be sure, "The Little Shop Of Horrors" has its comic horror aspects, with Jonathan Haze, as Seymour Krelborn, Jackie Joseph as the hot coworker, Audrey Fulquard, who, in no way, could a guy like Seymour get, Myrtle Joseph as Mrs. Krelborn, who plays the mother as a foreshadowing of any Edith Massey character in John Waters' films, and, the real scene stealer, Jack Nicholson, as Wilbur Force, whose dental scene will scare all those--including me who suffer from Dental Anxiety Disorder.  From his work here, who knew he would go on to become an Oscar winning icon?  Though the work seen here is better than average.

                              As for the plant, here dubbed Audrey, Jr., the special effects department had a field day.  Once it grows to enormous size, it is genuinely creepy.  The best moment comes at the end, where a blossom shows Seymour's face, indicating he has been devoured by the plant.  His mother screams his name, and he answers back, "I didn't mean it!"

                                  And yet, for all this, the film was not as engaging as I recall.  Still, it was nice to get another glance at it, especially with Sventoonie and Blob E. Blob.  I know this is a cult film but count me out of this one.  But then, I am the only cult member of "The Song Of Bernadette."

                                    I cherish that distinction, darlings!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!