The 1960 cult movie The Little Shop of Horrors provided the inspiration for a 1982 off-Broadway musical of the same name, which later became another movie (1986). So devotees were probably unsurprised to see a cartoon adaptation appear in 1991.
Roger Corman, the director of the 1961 film, served as a creative consultant but the cartoon bore little resemblance to his movie other than the main characters of a man-eating talking plant (voiced by Terry McGee) named “Junior” in the cartoon; Seymour Krelborn (voiced by Jana Lexxa); and Seymour’s girlfriend, Audrey (Jennie Kwan).
In this animated series, Seymour and Audrey were now lovesick teens who had to contend with a neighbourhood creep aptly named Paine (David Huband) and Audrey’s father, Mr Mushnik (Michael Rawl), who owned the flower shop where Seymour worked.
As in the musical, the characters thought nothing of breaking into song during part of each week’s episodes – in fact, Audrey Jr. now seemed more rapper than man-eater.
The emphasis was on learning little lessons each week rather than sustaining the freakish atmosphere of the previous versions, which may be why this show lasted only one year.
Seymour Krelborn
Jana Lexxa Audrey Mushnik
Jennie Kwan Junior
Terry McGee Paine Driller
David Huband Mr Mushnik
Michael Rawl
Episodes
Bad Seed | Real Men Aren’t Made of Quiche | Back to the Fuschia | Unfair Science | Stage Blight | I Loathe a Parade | Air Junior | Untitled Halloween Story | It’s a Wonderful Leaf | Tooth or Consequences | Walk Like a Nerd | Pulp Fiction | Married to the Mush
In this animated series, Seymour and Audrey were now lovesick teens who had to contend with a neighbourhood creep aptly named Paine (David Huband) and Audrey’s father, Mr Mushnik (Michael Rawl), who owned the flower shop where Seymour worked.
