It’s great to see you acknowledge Roger Corman. He was a unique and talented man. He provided me with many great memories growing up in the 70’s. His films were drive in staples as a kid. Some bad some good but always entertaining. Humanoids From The Deep certainly is a cult classic. He will be missed by many.
When I was in art school a bunch of us watched _A Bucket of Blood._ A few students were inspired to make plaster molds from fish. The problem occurred when they left the fish inside the molds for a week in hot weather. When the plaster cracked open from the gasses, the smell was like a punch in the face. Happy days.
Roger Corman will be dearly missed, such an important figure in post-war Hollywood. I got to talk to him some decades ago when he received a life-time achievement award at the Amsterdam Fantastic Film Festival and as it turned out, he was a really kind and generous man as well as he took his time to talk to people. I saw a bunch of his films on the big screen during that festival, which was awesome as well. A Bucket of Blood I had not seen yet, so I took the opportunity to watch it before watching your review and I really liked it. Funny and tragic at the same time and as you said, Dick Miller is just great in it. It is not my favourite of his - that is The Intruder - but it's a damn good movie for such a small budget and shooting schedule. The Little Shop of Horrors is really funny as well, but it has a few scenes like the climax that are a bit unnecessary or overlong (for a film that is 72 minutes) so out of the two I enjoyed A Bucket of Blood the most. Thanks for the review and tribute to the legend Roger Corman!
Probably my two favorite Corman films! As you say not everything Roger Corman made was good, but he certainly could teach a thing or two to today's filmmakers. Sometimes less really is more. Thanks for this retrospective!
"Better than they ought to be" neatly sums up why so many of Roger Corman's movies have an enduring presence and popularity. H e knew how to squeeze the maximum entertainment value out of every production dollar.
"Better than it ought to be" - I think Roger Corman would happily accept that as high praise.I haven't seen A Bucket of Blood since I was a kid(10?). I will have to watch it again. Be careful what you say - the Piranhaconda may some day bite your fancy.
Roger hustled and went full steam for so long that he had to be worn out by his 90s. What enthusiasm. I mow the lawn and then it's time to rest all day.
Bucket is cool, but I love Shop. I count Audrey Jr alongside the Energy Being, one of my favorite monsters of all time, found in the original Outer Limits episode It Crawled Out of the Woodwork, in the strange subcategory Monsters Which Display a Gallery of Their Victims. Thank you for this Corman tribute, Rome, have a good Memorial Day, and owl be seeing you.
Roger Corman R.I.P. was a visionary and great entertainer. To this day "Bucket of blood" is still one of my favorites. I don't like colorizations either. The beauty of black and white is simply unique. Excellent video! 👍
Fun Corman Beatnik Stuff ! Corman said the beats loved his films and welcomed him into their midst. Search "Burt Shonberg". He was a beat artist that Corman commisioned to do the portraits in House of Usher. Art collector Vincent Price was so impressed that he took one of the portraits for his collection. Shonberg was also half owner of a very famous VERY beatnik Southern California coffee house called (look this up, too!) Cafe Frankenstein, that Shonberg decorated himself. It even had a shack behind it that sold handmade sandals. How beatnik is that ?
Bucket of Blood is my personal favorite of Roger Corman's directed films. A delightful satirical take on the idea of the artist and art culture mixed with the nascent counterculture as well as crime . Its a wonderful hybrid. A mixture of societal subculture and slightly dark deadly intentions. As a former film critic, your assessment of Bucket of Blood is nicely done and your video is pretty good- even if i dont really believe in you tube reviewers and critics.
I'm with you 100% regarding colourised films, I detest them, why can't people leave well alone? I've seen both of these films and love them both, I got into Corman after watching his Poe films with Vincent Price and later discovered his other films, many of which I really like, his passing is sad, but he leaves behind a wonderful legacy. There's quite a good piece about Corman by another RUclips channel that was done a while back before his demise which you might enjoy watching at your leisure: ruclips.net/video/n4A9Nc7F_7I/видео.html
I loved this double bill review. Just what the doctor ordered---a reminder of the kind of laughter could be gotten from unexpected places. I became friends with Mel Welles and always enjoyed getting him to go "full Mushnik" for us. what a lot of fun (He was originally supposed to be the big beat poet in BUCKET OF BLOOD, btw). I believe there was only a little overlap of set re-use between these two films. The set for the flower shop came from another left over set from another movie/ am trying to remember which one. I believe mom's apartment interior in LSOH and a couple others were redresses from BUCKET. (More digging needed to sort that out.) roger was great at these re-dressing/re-purposing sets ...or rather, really, his genius art director/production designer Daniel Haller (who is still with us). I loved that you talked about Johathan Haze's performance. He was in so many of Roger's early movies, and especially effective as the awful guy hitting on Beverly Garland in NOT OF THIS EARTH. Totally opposite performances between that guy and Seymour (though in NoTE he somehow manages a deft evolution from total jerk to an ally of Garland's, which I believe you suggest in your review.) Thanks for tackling these 2 films. They are fondly remembered by fans, especially those in-the-know about the participants/the behind-scenes tales (which I'm always happy to hear you cover!) Roger will be remembered fro that wonderful (mostly) Poe series as well as a couple of his really unique low-low-low-budeters, like these 2 dark comedies. Thank you so much for coving these 2 films. It's a nice, and special tribute to the one and only Roger Corman,, one of Hollywood's wildest film makers. .
"Is this 1959 or 2020?" Yep, I get it. The more things change, the more they stay the same. I've seen a lot of Corman stuff through the years, and while the quality does vary a LOT, his films are very rarely boring. Faint praise maybe, but given the product (?) coming out of Hollywood today, that's a plus for sure. Thanks for your reaction and Happy Memorial Day!
I'm sitting here racking my brain over Bucket Of Blood. I want to say I haven't seen it but lots of little details sound so familiar like the Beatniks. I may have seen it on Tubi a few years ago or I may have seen another schlocky horror movie involving Beatniks. God help me, I'm too young to have Alzheimer's. ARGH!!!!!! Definitely haven't seen the original Little Shop Of Horrors. Sounds great. When I next get a chance to sit and watch something I think that one is gonna be at the top. That and Bucket Of Blood cuz I feel like I need a bucket for my leaky brains. And thank you for showing off your little alien guy last week. He's cool.
I don't watch many of the movies you analyze or read the books you do ...but I like listening to your reviews because I enjoy your intelligent, articulate and fun commentary.
Dear Ms. Weiselberry, This was a great review and a very nice tribute to Roger Corman. "Little Shop of Horrors" is such a great idea, simply presented but with dialogue and characters that sell the wackiness perfectly. I've not seen "Bucket of Blood", but it's at the top of my list now! I always think of the Poe cycle first when thinking of Roger Corman, followed by his 1950s science fiction, but I also tend to think of the cameos he had in movies like "The Godfather II" and "Apollo 13". RIP Roger Corman.
I'm glad you commemorated Corman's passage. I saw War of the Satellites recently and enjoyed it. Not a great film but fun. A lot of his movies are like that. Thanks for all you do!
Roger Corman may not have produced big movies, but he was still a pioneer on his own terms. He definitely inspired many other low budget filmmakers. I’ll confess, I have never seen any other movies directed or produced by Corman except for the unreleased Fantastic Four film from 1994 via bootleg DVD. Great tribute, J and I wish you and your family a Happy Memorial Day. 🇺🇸
Yep, Roger Corman, RIP. Great video to honor a legend. Oh, I have a recommendation on a book that does mention Roger Corman by Ron Howard and Clint Howard called The Boys. A bigger recommendation would be is to listen to the audiobook as both Ron Howard and Clint tell their stories and yes Roger Corman gets his spot in that book. Also, it's the perfect father's day book also. You should check the audiobook out, HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. (Emphasizing not yelling). Thank you Jerome Weiselberry!!
I've seen both films before, but decades apart. LSOH was the first when I was in my early teens. The film received a lot of hype due to Jack Nicholson's presence, but I didn't think his bit added much to the movie. It could be cut out and not affect the plot positively or negatively. I did get to meet Jonathan Haze and Jackie Joseph at an autograph show once. They shared a 6-foot table so LSOH photos and posters were in high demand. I don't know how it will be taken by 'Audrey' and normal Jackie Joseph were indistinguishable. She was such a happy and bubbly person. I saw BOB maybe in my early 30s. By that time I had watched more than two or three dozen Roger Corman movies. That diluted the oddball wackiness especially after see LSOH so young. I found BOB okay, but not a highlight of Corman's lengthy career. I recommended "The Masque Of Red Death" awhile back and I still stand by that being the most lavish, creepy, and visually dazzling of all of Roger Corman's output as a director. You'll find yourself constantly questioning "This is directed by Corman?!" A script by Twilight Zone legend Charles Beaumont and the reuse of the castle set from the British production of "Beckett" enhanced the story and visuals. I was fortunate enough to met Roger Corman at a Las Vegas Fangoria convention in the mid-2000s. The convention was poorly attended. Roger Corman was the only well-known creator who would not accept money for his autograph. Corman would sign multiple posters, photos, and blank pieces of paper for anyone. Roger didn't even bring any items to sell. He just wandered around the convention greeting old friends and acquaintances. Roger had a huge grin on his face the entire weekend and truly was surprised by the outpouring of love and respect his was receiving from fans and colleagues alike! R.I.P. Mr.Corman ❤
I've seen The Masque of the Red Death and most of the other films in the Poe cycle. I think House of Usher is still my favorite of that group. Some of the filler in Red Death put me off when I watched it, but the climax, with its jaw-dropping use of color, is excellent.
@@Weiselberry I have no interest at all in excessive gore movies and never heard of the majority of the celebrity guests at the Fangoria show. If Roger Corman wasn't there I would not have attended. The only other time that one person was the sole draw for me to travel to a convention was a rare west coast appearance by director Bert I. Gordon. I will say that I was stunned that Roger Corman was not charging for autographs. That definitely wasn't expected based on the man's history and reputation for pinching pennies and not losing a dime on a movie. This was at a time when an actor who appeared in only one Friday the 13th movie, hidden behind a hockey mask, charged $30 for a signed photo.
Great reviews! Corman remains one of my favorites. He was the Edgar G. Ulmer of his day, doing so much with so little. I love his 50s schlock films and I’m particularly fond of the Poe series. He gave so many good directors their start. He started Peter Bogdanovcih with Targets, with Boris Karloff, and remains among the best of both careers. Joe Dante’s films are so much fun to watch, and his knowledge of film history is phenomenal. I met Dante in a low budget film class on Hollywood Blvd. They showed his early film made through Corman, Hollywood Blvd.starring Candice Rialson, who had a lot of nude scenes. Rialson was also there herself. When they finished talking, the whole class swarmed to Candice, and director Joe Dante was all by himself on the other side of the room. I went up and talked to him for a good 15 min. He was so kind and friendly and I had a good time chatting with him. He ended up making some of my favorite films.
I’ve seen Little Shop, but not Bucket of Blood. Definitely want to check this one out. Btw, I agree with you about colorization. Ran into a colorized version of one of my favorite classics last night on Tubi, and it wasn’t the same
Glad you picked up on how much fun these two films are, Miss Weiselberry. I enjoy your reviews. Have you ever tackled Thunder Road with Robert Mitchum?
I saw "The Little Shop of Horrors" on TV around 2019 and it was a pretty good film. It was scary and amusing at the same time. I still never forget how that plant Audrey talks to Seymour saying "Feed me!" which was funny.
I also really like these films a lot, for me both films are probably equally entertaining but i prefer A Little Shop of Horrors a little more because my mum randomly bought it on DVD for me when i was young, i looked at the cover and said Jack Nicholson? turned the box over and searched for Rick Moranis and was disappointed to see it wasn’t the film i thought it was, I’d seen the 80s version on TV a couple of times and began to hope that I’d missed a Jack Nicholson cameo somewhere, perhaps he was Audrey 2 lol. I put the film in the DVD player right away and the disappointment went away quickly because i really liked it, I enjoyed it as much as the 80s version and the fact that it was a random gift from my mum means i have a soft spot for it and like it just a little more than A Bucket of Blood but do really like that film also. I still have the DVD, Jack Nicholson has second billing and Audrey 2 looks much more like the eighties version. It’s interesting that you lean slightly towards A Bucket of Blood, a film introduced to you by your mum. My favourite moment from either film is in A Bucket of Blood when Millers Walter first shows his masterpiece “Dead Cat” lol, even now just remembering it makes me laugh, it’s so hilariously absurd, all of the characters are so entertaining with so many great lines, I especially liked Julian Burton as Maxwell H. Brock and saw him as a beatnik version of Hemingway lol, i imagine the Paris get togethers with Hemingway, Joyce, Stein and Fitzgerald would’ve been interesting to see but also annoyingly self indulgent, Hemingway :“ fellow artists gather to hear me speak of the trappings of life and love” Cafe waiter : “ here we go again “ Whenever 50s/60s beatniks appear in these films i always smile, always fun to hear the lingo. The reaction from Leonard when he sees Murdered Man was hilarious, it is a fascinating commentary on artists from someone that probably didn’t consider himself to be one but Corman was very creative. Dick Miller was very good but i do tend to like him more in films where he can be more charismatic. I saw an old Mike Myers film on TV years ago titled So I Married an Axe Murderer and was reminded of A Bucket of Blood, stories are not similar but there is murder, dark humour and beat poetry, i liked it, The Burbs is another film i like that has similar dark, quirky and sometimes slapstick humour plus it’s got an appearance by Dick Miller. I find A Little Shop of Horrors to be strangely lighthearted, Corman manages to make the deaths in this film funny and without real malice, I usually feel really uncomfortable when watching scenes of violence especially against women but the scene where the character played by Meri Welles meets her demise is very funny because it’s a Looney Tunes moment, she’s basically Bugs or Daffy, her cartoon like appearing repeatedly ahead of Seymour and then tripping him over and finally her wacky death, you almost expect to see animated birds flying around her head. Mel Welles as Mushnick was probably the star of the show for me and had some great lines, I guess if Meri Welles was Bugs or Daffy Mushnick could be Foghorn Leghorn with Seymour as either Elmer Fudd or Porky Pig. Audrey 2 having a really whiny voice was very funny, Griffith did a good job. Dick Miller was great, “ I’ve got to get home. My wife’s making Gardenias for dinner.” lol. Jack Nicholson was good but the entire cast were all so great that he’s probably not even in the top five and doesn’t deserve second billing on my DVD lol, Mel Welles, Miller, Myrtle Vail or Jackie Joseph should be on there before him, like you mentioned even the smaller roles like that of the waitress were so well cast. I didn’t really understand the comedic Dragnet bit when i first watched the film but have seen some episodes of Dragnet since then and really enjoyed the parody when I’ve re-watched the film, funnily enough Dick Miller was in an episode of Dragnet. Terrific reviews and a fitting tribute to Roger Corman, I’ve loved hearing about the tidbits on the making of these films too, I’ve also looked up the picture of Miller, Corman and Haze that you spoke of and it was really lovely to see them still cherish each others company after so many years. I’ve said it a bajillion times but you’re are so good at this. :) ~ Thank you Ms Weiselberry ~
I respect Roger Corman as a filmmaker who was eager to try almost anything. I first saw The Little Shop of Horrors when I was in high school and I loved it. It was delightful! This one's my favorite, but maybe because it's the one I saw first. I do remember as a kid that eating flowers was a real fad in the sixties. I saw a few comedy skits about it back then. I recently stumbled across a little film with Kevin Bacon called Death Artist. It was quirky fun that reminded me of The Little Shop of Horrors. I looked it up on IMDB and found that it was a remake of A Bucket of Blood, except that Kevin Bacon used plaster of Paris instead of clay and I think that worked better. It was the same Beatnik tone that actually seemed anachronistic in the Kevin Bacon film. The Little Shop of Horrors and The Raven are my two favorite Roger Corman movies because they are so different from what you expect. But actually ALL his movies are pretty great for one reason or other. He was actually the first to make a live action Fantastic Four movie but it was never released. You can find out about it here on RUclips.
Another fun review. The films show a bunch of oddballs and a protagonist who get fame by luck, which turns into a curse. It's a amazing how they threw these oddballs together into one story. It seems something novice film makers can learn a lot from these movies.
Cool to see you honor Corman, glad you mentioned Sharktopus as that is one of the last times he and his wife did a commentary on a film he directed. Great job on this review.
I saw Bucket of Blood in the theater when it came out in 1959. I was six. The scene where they pulled the sheet off the clay-covered corpse statue, revealing that grotesque face scared me so badly I ran out of the theater and into the lobby where I told the usher I was scared.
Roger was a person torn between business and artistry, with the former often winning out when it came to any needed "fine-tuning" that might've taken a few hours longer and a few more bucks to tweak. But any look at films like THE FALL OF THE HOUSE OF USHER, TOMB OF LIGEIA, MASQUE OF THE RED DEATH, THE INTRUDER and THE SAINT VALENTINES DAY MASSACRE (among a few others) can see a real artist with a real unique artistic signature at work. But he IS maddeningly frustrating at times, when (especially as time went on) his frugality and desire to prove how fast a film could be made took possession of and stomped on his artistic leanings. So much more potential there that was never fully FULLY allowed to blossom.
Hi J. I had seen both versions of Horrors years ago, and Bucket just last week, and I was struck with the similarities. Both very good. The parts of Bucket I liked best were the ones at the Yellow Door, with the bad poetry, music and a few toxic personalities. Yes, sandals should be worn outside only! Not a good look inside. Thanks for these reviews and insights to the world of Corman. Take care.
Great observations. I worked (briefly) for Joe Dante as a storyboard artist (he's a thoroughly great guy), and to me he always sort of resembled Dick Miller at a different age- I always think of Joe first when I see Miller (just one of those brain things). When they both turn up in something like "Piranha" my head spins. The mother character mentioned above made me think- how many of those mother characters are there- dominant, bedridden harpies with dutiful, live-at-home nebbishy sons? ....And have you done "The Loved One" yet?
Corman made hundreds of movies and never lost any money. Many current producers could learn a lot from him. My favorite of his was the Edgar Allen Poe/Vincent Price movies. Anyone who says Corman was a bad director never saw those.
A great tribute to a truly unique filmmaker. As much as I enjoy Corman's Poe films, I have a great fondness for his out-and-out comedic efforts like Bucket of Blood and Little Shop of Horrors. His gangster films are very accomplished, too; I believe Machine-Gun Kelly from 1958 brought him acclaim and recognition from the Cahiers du Cinema.
Another thing: the acting, the characters, and the lines they're given in these particular movies, and in "Creature from the Haunted Cave" seem 10 to 20 years ahead of their time, either more eccentric or more frank than their typical '50s counterparts.
8:12 Dick Miller's "beat poem recitation" which begins A Bucket Of Blood. Very funny material! Why Miller didn't have more of a career in A movies is a mystery. Nicholson's great promise fulfilled (the crazy dental patient in Little Shop. ...And years later, incredible career. Not a mystery, though. Corman's films had obvious shortcomings. They did introduce us to some formidable actors in quirky early roles.
I've seen and enjoy both of these movies along with Wasp Woman and Crab Monsters. Yeah, some of his movies are just bad but some could be pretty decent. I think the main thing about Corman is he did things his way without studio interference.
Beatniks & Botany Good double bill.And they take less time to watch than many single features. With film budgets of recent times hovering into the 300 million range.Film studios and producers would do well to take a class in Cormanomics.Use hamburger boxes for the wall of a spaceship set.Like a young James Cameron. Oh wait ! He's making 300 million Avatar films. I was saddened to learn of Corman's passing.The Poe,Price cycle of films are a personal favourite series. Did anyone ever turn A Bucket of Blood into a stage musical? It would make a perfect candidate. Thank you.
Haha, yes, you can watch them back-to-back pretty easily, and it would take less time than a lot of blockbusters these days. I also wondered if anyone had ever tried adapting A Bucket of Blood into a musical. I wouldn't be at all surprised if someone had at least toyed with the idea. It's already got a tune or two...
@@Weiselberry "This summer. Off Off Broadway.Put "Bucket" on your list.It might be the last thing you ever do." You have found the trick To being a cool beatnik SPLAT! Goes the cat You got your start In homicidal art A Bucket of Blood The body goes thud A Bucket of Blood .............................
Bucket of Blood is closer to Blood Bath because they both deal with beatniks. Although Little Shop of Horrors and BOB are both more slanted towards dark comedy. Love your reviews.
Yes both these movies are great examples of Corman doing low--budget horror-comedy and it's good they're so easily available for people to watch. My favourite Corman movie though is Battle Beyond the Stars, a sci-fi version of the old Seven Samurai/Magnificent Seven storyline. One interesting thing about it is how the model effects shots have turned up in so many other movies - Corman was determined to get his money's worth from them. The YT channel The Bad Movie Bible did a humorous video looking at how many times a certain shot has been used: The Most Re-Used Shot in Cinema? ruclips.net/video/8WVR6gzBGUU/видео.html
It would be great to get a list of a decent amount of the actors he gave their start. With pictures then and later. All the behind the scenes crew would be nice but most of us wouldn't know anything about them so it would be wasted work. Maybe producers/directors and what films they did in the future.
Such a list would be pretty lengthy, I gather. Most people know about his role helping Martin Scorsese, James Cameron, and Ron Howard in their early days, but I'd like to know about less-familiar folks, including behind-the-scenes people. I'm sure there are some great stories there.
Roger Corman has only a few favorite films but BUCKET OF BLOOD and LITTLE SHOP fit there. (CRAB MONSTER is another - what an inventive monster! - eater of people, AND digests their brains for telepathic communications - how bizarre.)
Your final analysis rings true: "These films are better than they ought to be." The creativity is simply amazing - or is it like spaghetti thrown against a wall: "It's inevitable that some stick."
I believe they're actually just mannequins! I also thought they were impressive, especially on such a low budget, but apparently the crew just got very creative with what they had. :)
I love your top or dress your wearing but believe you wore it when you reviewed Not of this Earth a while back. Wish more women would dress nice like you. Really enjoy your reviews. Saw a nice one the other day with Vincent Price, Last Man on Earth, good movie.
It’s great to see you acknowledge Roger Corman. He was a unique and talented man. He provided me with many great memories growing up in the 70’s. His films were drive in staples as a kid. Some bad some good but always entertaining. Humanoids From The Deep certainly is a cult classic. He will be missed by many.
When I was in art school a bunch of us watched _A Bucket of Blood._ A few students were inspired to make plaster molds from fish. The problem occurred when they left the fish inside the molds for a week in hot weather. When the plaster cracked open from the gasses, the smell was like a punch in the face. Happy days.
Ugh, nasty! Great story, though. :D
Thanks again, another great review. Dick Miller is a Legend, and a Proud Veteran of the US Navy.
Roger Corman is a magnificent businessman. That man knew how to sell bad movies and keep them cheap.
Roger Corman will be dearly missed, such an important figure in post-war Hollywood. I got to talk to him some decades ago when he received a life-time achievement award at the Amsterdam Fantastic Film Festival and as it turned out, he was a really kind and generous man as well as he took his time to talk to people. I saw a bunch of his films on the big screen during that festival, which was awesome as well. A Bucket of Blood I had not seen yet, so I took the opportunity to watch it before watching your review and I really liked it. Funny and tragic at the same time and as you said, Dick Miller is just great in it. It is not my favourite of his - that is The Intruder - but it's a damn good movie for such a small budget and shooting schedule. The Little Shop of Horrors is really funny as well, but it has a few scenes like the climax that are a bit unnecessary or overlong (for a film that is 72 minutes) so out of the two I enjoyed A Bucket of Blood the most. Thanks for the review and tribute to the legend Roger Corman!
Probably my two favorite Corman films! As you say not everything Roger Corman made was good, but he certainly could teach a thing or two to today's filmmakers. Sometimes less really is more. Thanks for this retrospective!
"Better than they ought to be" neatly sums up why so many of Roger Corman's movies have an enduring presence and popularity. H e knew how to squeeze the maximum entertainment value out of every production dollar.
"Better than it ought to be" - I think Roger Corman would happily accept that as high praise.I haven't seen A Bucket of Blood since I was a kid(10?). I will have to watch it again. Be careful what you say - the Piranhaconda may some day bite your fancy.
I always admire your classic movie reviews Jerome! Stellar job!
I'm still of the opinion that low budget b/w horror, with some exception, or noir seemed the most plausible. Always enjoy your wonderful reviews, JW!
Roger hustled and went full steam for so long that he had to be worn out by his 90s. What enthusiasm. I mow the lawn and then it's time to rest all day.
You're my favourite movie reviewer. Your voice/accent also helps me relax. Please don't stop.
Aw, thanks!
Bucket is cool, but I love Shop. I count Audrey Jr alongside the Energy Being, one of my favorite monsters of all time, found in the original Outer Limits episode It Crawled Out of the Woodwork, in the strange subcategory Monsters Which Display a Gallery of Their Victims. Thank you for this Corman tribute, Rome, have a good Memorial Day, and owl be seeing you.
Thanks. I was born while "little shop" was playing in theaters, lol. Great movie. It's also a "dragnet" parody!❤
Roger Corman R.I.P. was a visionary and great entertainer. To this day "Bucket of blood" is still one of my favorites. I don't like colorizations either. The beauty of black and white is simply unique. Excellent video! 👍
A Bucket of Blood holds up, really entertaining.
Fun Corman Beatnik Stuff ! Corman said the beats loved his films and welcomed him into their midst. Search "Burt Shonberg". He was a beat artist that Corman commisioned to do the portraits in House of Usher. Art collector Vincent Price was so impressed that he took one of the portraits for his collection. Shonberg was also half owner of a very famous VERY beatnik Southern California coffee house called (look this up, too!) Cafe Frankenstein, that Shonberg decorated himself. It even had a shack behind it that sold handmade sandals. How beatnik is that ?
Bucket of Blood is my personal favorite of Roger Corman's directed films.
A delightful satirical take on the idea of the artist and art culture mixed with the nascent counterculture as well as crime .
Its a wonderful hybrid. A mixture of societal subculture and slightly dark deadly intentions.
As a former film critic, your assessment of Bucket of Blood is nicely done and your video is pretty good- even if i dont really believe in you tube reviewers and critics.
I'm with you 100% regarding colourised films, I detest them, why can't people leave well alone? I've seen both of these films and love them both, I got into Corman after watching his Poe films with Vincent Price and later discovered his other films, many of which I really like, his passing is sad, but he leaves behind a wonderful legacy.
There's quite a good piece about Corman by another RUclips channel that was done a while back before his demise which you might enjoy watching at your leisure:
ruclips.net/video/n4A9Nc7F_7I/видео.html
These two movies are fun and dumb.
I loved watching them on channel 11
late night in Tucson as a little kid ('60's.)
Peace on earth.
Good Morning, Sister Jerome!
I was right; your take on these two films is perfect, covering not just the movies, but a phenomenon of film .
Went on a Roger Corman movie binge after watching this…very nostalgic…and fun..
I loved this double bill review. Just what the doctor ordered---a reminder of the kind of laughter could be gotten from unexpected places.
I became friends with Mel Welles and always enjoyed getting him to go "full Mushnik" for us. what a lot of fun (He was originally supposed to be the big beat poet in BUCKET OF BLOOD, btw).
I believe there was only a little overlap of set re-use between these two films. The set for the flower shop came from another left over set from another movie/ am trying to remember which one. I believe mom's apartment interior in LSOH and a couple others were redresses from BUCKET. (More digging needed to sort that out.) roger was great at these re-dressing/re-purposing sets ...or rather, really, his genius art director/production designer Daniel Haller (who is still with us).
I loved that you talked about Johathan Haze's performance. He was in so many of Roger's early movies, and especially effective as the awful guy hitting on Beverly Garland in NOT OF THIS EARTH. Totally opposite performances between that guy and Seymour (though in NoTE he somehow manages a deft evolution from total jerk to an ally of Garland's, which I believe you suggest in your review.)
Thanks for tackling these 2 films. They are fondly remembered by fans, especially those in-the-know about the participants/the behind-scenes tales (which I'm always happy to hear you cover!) Roger will be remembered fro that wonderful (mostly) Poe series as well as a couple of his really unique low-low-low-budeters, like these 2 dark comedies.
Thank you so much for coving these 2 films. It's a nice, and special tribute to the one and only Roger Corman,, one of Hollywood's wildest film makers. .
"Is this 1959 or 2020?" Yep, I get it. The more things change, the more they stay the same. I've seen a lot of Corman stuff through the years, and while the quality does vary a LOT, his films are very rarely boring. Faint praise maybe, but given the product (?) coming out of Hollywood today, that's a plus for sure. Thanks for your reaction and Happy Memorial Day!
I'm sitting here racking my brain over Bucket Of Blood. I want to say I haven't seen it but lots of little details sound so familiar like the Beatniks. I may have seen it on Tubi a few years ago or I may have seen another schlocky horror movie involving Beatniks. God help me, I'm too young to have Alzheimer's. ARGH!!!!!!
Definitely haven't seen the original Little Shop Of Horrors. Sounds great. When I next get a chance to sit and watch something I think that one is gonna be at the top.
That and Bucket Of Blood cuz I feel like I need a bucket for my leaky brains.
And thank you for showing off your little alien guy last week. He's cool.
Another superb review. You put so much into them. I always learn something. Thanks! Also, I do like Bucket of Blood somewhat better.
Thank you!
I don't watch many of the movies you analyze or read the books you do ...but I like listening to your reviews because I enjoy your intelligent, articulate and fun commentary.
Dear Ms. Weiselberry,
This was a great review and a very nice tribute to Roger Corman. "Little Shop of Horrors" is such a great idea, simply presented but with dialogue and characters that sell the wackiness perfectly. I've not seen "Bucket of Blood", but it's at the top of my list now! I always think of the Poe cycle first when thinking of Roger Corman, followed by his 1950s science fiction, but I also tend to think of the cameos he had in movies like "The Godfather II" and "Apollo 13". RIP Roger Corman.
JW,
Thanks for an honest and respectful tribute to Mr. Corman.
I've seen "...Shop..."
"Bucket..." is now on my Watch List.
I'm glad you commemorated Corman's passage. I saw War of the Satellites recently and enjoyed it. Not a great film but fun. A lot of his movies are like that.
Thanks for all you do!
Roger Corman may not have produced big movies, but he was still a pioneer on his own terms. He definitely inspired many other low budget filmmakers. I’ll confess, I have never seen any other movies directed or produced by Corman except for the unreleased Fantastic Four film from 1994 via bootleg DVD. Great tribute, J and I wish you and your family a Happy Memorial Day. 🇺🇸
Yep, Roger Corman, RIP. Great video to honor a legend. Oh, I have a recommendation on a book that does mention Roger Corman by Ron Howard and Clint Howard called The Boys. A bigger recommendation would be is to listen to the audiobook as both Ron Howard and Clint tell their stories and yes Roger Corman gets his spot in that book. Also, it's the perfect father's day book also. You should check the audiobook out, HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. (Emphasizing not yelling). Thank you Jerome Weiselberry!!
Hi friend!
Oh... I always wanted to watch A Bucket of Blood...so maybe I will check that out and then come back to this review!
Hey there! I hope you enjoy it!
@JeromeWeiselberry Thank you! I will try and search around for it online lol
I've seen both films before, but decades apart. LSOH was the first when I was in my early teens. The film received a lot of hype due to Jack Nicholson's presence, but I didn't think his bit added much to the movie. It could be cut out and not affect the plot positively or negatively. I did get to meet Jonathan Haze and Jackie Joseph at an autograph show once. They shared a 6-foot table so LSOH photos and posters were in high demand. I don't know how it will be taken by 'Audrey' and normal Jackie Joseph were indistinguishable. She was such a happy and bubbly person.
I saw BOB maybe in my early 30s. By that time I had watched more than two or three dozen Roger Corman movies. That diluted the oddball wackiness especially after see LSOH so young. I found BOB okay, but not a highlight of Corman's lengthy career.
I recommended "The Masque Of Red Death" awhile back and I still stand by that being the most lavish, creepy, and visually dazzling of all of Roger Corman's output as a director. You'll find yourself constantly questioning "This is directed by Corman?!" A script by Twilight Zone legend Charles Beaumont and the reuse of the castle set from the British production of "Beckett" enhanced the story and visuals.
I was fortunate enough to met Roger Corman at a Las Vegas Fangoria convention in the mid-2000s. The convention was poorly attended. Roger Corman was the only well-known creator who would not accept money for his autograph. Corman would sign multiple posters, photos, and blank pieces of paper for anyone. Roger didn't even bring any items to sell. He just wandered around the convention greeting old friends and acquaintances. Roger had a huge grin on his face the entire weekend and truly was surprised by the outpouring of love and respect his was receiving from fans and colleagues alike!
R.I.P. Mr.Corman ❤
Got to give Jack credit for being a nut case in this. Helped him carry it over to Cuckoo's Nest.
I've seen The Masque of the Red Death and most of the other films in the Poe cycle. I think House of Usher is still my favorite of that group. Some of the filler in Red Death put me off when I watched it, but the climax, with its jaw-dropping use of color, is excellent.
Love your story about Roger Corman at the convention!
@@Weiselberry I have no interest at all in excessive gore movies and never heard of the majority of the celebrity guests at the Fangoria show. If Roger Corman wasn't there I would not have attended. The only other time that one person was the sole draw for me to travel to a convention was a rare west coast appearance by director Bert I. Gordon.
I will say that I was stunned that Roger Corman was not charging for autographs. That definitely wasn't expected based on the man's history and reputation for pinching pennies and not losing a dime on a movie. This was at a time when an actor who appeared in only one Friday the 13th movie, hidden behind a hockey mask, charged $30 for a signed photo.
Great reviews! Corman remains one of my favorites. He was the Edgar G. Ulmer of his day, doing so much with so little. I love his 50s schlock films and I’m particularly fond of the Poe series. He gave so many good directors their start. He started Peter Bogdanovcih with Targets, with Boris Karloff, and remains among the best of both careers. Joe Dante’s films are so much fun to watch, and his knowledge of film history is phenomenal. I met Dante in a low budget film class on Hollywood Blvd. They showed his early film made through Corman, Hollywood Blvd.starring Candice Rialson, who had a lot of nude scenes. Rialson was also there herself. When they finished talking, the whole class swarmed to Candice, and director Joe Dante was all by himself on the other side of the room. I went up and talked to him for a good 15 min. He was so kind and friendly and I had a good time chatting with him. He ended up making some of my favorite films.
I’ve seen Little Shop, but not Bucket of Blood. Definitely want to check this one out. Btw, I agree with you about colorization. Ran into a colorized version of one of my favorite classics last night on Tubi, and it wasn’t the same
Glad you picked up on how much fun these two films are, Miss Weiselberry. I enjoy your reviews. Have you ever tackled Thunder Road with Robert Mitchum?
No, I haven't yet seen Thunder Road, but I'm sure I will someday. Thanks!
Great review loved both films 😊
I saw "The Little Shop of Horrors" on TV around 2019 and it was a pretty good film. It was scary and amusing at the same time. I still never forget how that plant Audrey talks to Seymour saying "Feed me!" which was funny.
Gonna give a bucket of blood a watch sounds great!
I also really like these films a lot, for me both films are probably equally entertaining but i prefer A Little Shop of Horrors a little more because my mum randomly bought it on DVD for me when i was young, i looked at the cover and said Jack Nicholson? turned the box over and searched for Rick Moranis and was disappointed to see it wasn’t the film i thought it was, I’d seen the 80s version on TV a couple of times and began to hope that I’d missed a Jack Nicholson cameo somewhere, perhaps he was Audrey 2 lol. I put the film in the DVD player right away and the disappointment went away quickly because i really liked it, I enjoyed it as much as the 80s version and the fact that it was a random gift from my mum means i have a soft spot for it and like it just a little more than A Bucket of Blood but do really like that film also. I still have the DVD, Jack Nicholson has second billing and Audrey 2 looks much more like the eighties version. It’s interesting that you lean slightly towards A Bucket of Blood, a film introduced to you by your mum. My favourite moment from either film is in A Bucket of Blood when Millers Walter first shows his masterpiece “Dead Cat” lol, even now just remembering it makes me laugh, it’s so hilariously absurd, all of the characters are so entertaining with so many great lines, I especially liked Julian Burton as Maxwell H. Brock and saw him as a beatnik version of Hemingway lol, i imagine the Paris get togethers with Hemingway, Joyce, Stein and Fitzgerald would’ve been interesting to see but also annoyingly self indulgent, Hemingway :“ fellow artists gather to hear me speak of the trappings of life and love” Cafe waiter : “ here we go again “ Whenever 50s/60s beatniks appear in these films i always smile, always fun to hear the lingo. The reaction from Leonard when he sees Murdered Man was hilarious, it is a fascinating commentary on artists from someone that probably didn’t consider himself to be one but Corman was very creative. Dick Miller was very good but i do tend to like him more in films where he can be more charismatic. I saw an old Mike Myers film on TV years ago titled So I Married an Axe Murderer and was reminded of A Bucket of Blood, stories are not similar but there is murder, dark humour and beat poetry, i liked it, The Burbs is another film i like that has similar dark, quirky and sometimes slapstick humour plus it’s got an appearance by Dick Miller.
I find A Little Shop of Horrors to be strangely lighthearted, Corman manages to make the deaths in this film funny and without real malice, I usually feel really uncomfortable when watching scenes of violence especially against women but the scene where the character played by Meri Welles meets her demise is very funny because it’s a Looney Tunes moment, she’s basically Bugs or Daffy, her cartoon like appearing repeatedly ahead of Seymour and then tripping him over and finally her wacky death, you almost expect to see animated birds flying around her head. Mel Welles as Mushnick was probably the star of the show for me and had some great lines, I guess if Meri Welles was Bugs or Daffy Mushnick could be Foghorn Leghorn with Seymour as either Elmer Fudd or Porky Pig. Audrey 2 having a really whiny voice was very funny, Griffith did a good job. Dick Miller was great, “ I’ve got to get home. My wife’s making Gardenias for dinner.” lol. Jack Nicholson was good but the entire cast were all so great that he’s probably not even in the top five and doesn’t deserve second billing on my DVD lol, Mel Welles, Miller, Myrtle Vail or Jackie Joseph should be on there before him, like you mentioned even the smaller roles like that of the waitress were so well cast. I didn’t really understand the comedic Dragnet bit when i first watched the film but have seen some episodes of Dragnet since then and really enjoyed the parody when I’ve re-watched the film, funnily enough Dick Miller was in an episode of Dragnet.
Terrific reviews and a fitting tribute to Roger Corman, I’ve loved hearing about the tidbits on the making of these films too, I’ve also looked up the picture of Miller, Corman and Haze that you spoke of and it was really lovely to see them still cherish each others company after so many years. I’ve said it a bajillion times but you’re are so good at this. :)
~ Thank you Ms Weiselberry ~
I respect Roger Corman as a filmmaker who was eager to try almost anything.
I first saw The Little Shop of Horrors when I was in high school and I loved it. It was delightful!
This one's my favorite, but maybe because it's the one I saw first.
I do remember as a kid that eating flowers was a real fad in the sixties. I saw a few comedy skits about it back then.
I recently stumbled across a little film with Kevin Bacon called Death Artist. It was quirky fun that reminded me of The Little Shop of Horrors. I looked it up on IMDB and found that it was a remake of A Bucket of Blood, except that Kevin Bacon used plaster of Paris instead of clay and I think that worked better. It was the same Beatnik tone that actually seemed anachronistic in the Kevin Bacon film.
The Little Shop of Horrors and The Raven are my two favorite Roger Corman movies because they are so different from what you expect. But actually ALL his movies are pretty great for one reason or other.
He was actually the first to make a live action Fantastic Four movie but it was never released.
You can find out about it here on RUclips.
Great review! Goofy movies need a little love and attention too. Jw is the best!❤
Ah, Sharktopus...my favorite "bad" killer shark movie.
Thanks for reviewing them!
Not colourized. Got it! :D
Another fun review. The films show a bunch of oddballs and a protagonist who get fame by luck, which turns into a curse. It's a amazing how they threw these oddballs together into one story. It seems something novice film makers can learn a lot from these movies.
Cool to see you honor Corman, glad you mentioned Sharktopus as that is one of the last times he and his wife did a commentary on a film he directed. Great job on this review.
Thanks! That's a neat piece of trivia; I'm sure the commentary is fun to listen to. :)
I saw Bucket of Blood in the theater when it came out in 1959. I was six. The scene where they pulled the sheet off the clay-covered corpse statue, revealing that grotesque face scared me so badly I ran out of the theater and into the lobby where I told the usher I was scared.
Well done as always!
Roger was a person torn between business and artistry, with the former often winning out when it came to any needed "fine-tuning" that might've taken a few hours longer and a few more bucks to tweak. But any look at films like THE FALL OF THE HOUSE OF USHER, TOMB OF LIGEIA, MASQUE OF THE RED DEATH, THE INTRUDER and THE SAINT VALENTINES DAY MASSACRE (among a few others) can see a real artist with a real unique artistic signature at work. But he IS maddeningly frustrating at times, when (especially as time went on) his frugality and desire to prove how fast a film could be made took possession of and stomped on his artistic leanings. So much more potential there that was never fully FULLY allowed to blossom.
Hi J. I had seen both versions of Horrors years ago, and Bucket just last week, and I was struck with the similarities. Both very good. The parts of Bucket I liked best were the ones at the Yellow Door, with the bad poetry, music and a few toxic personalities. Yes, sandals should be worn outside only! Not a good look inside. Thanks for these reviews and insights to the world of Corman. Take care.
I think both are very good and quirky but I love The Little Shop of Horrors.
Just watched "Bucket of Blood". Bert Convy was the first murdered man! Check out his bio if you aren't familiar with him (or just ask your Mom).
Great observations. I worked (briefly) for Joe Dante as a storyboard artist (he's a thoroughly great guy), and to me he always sort of resembled Dick Miller at a different age- I always think of Joe first when I see Miller (just one of those brain things). When they both turn up in something like "Piranha" my head spins. The mother character mentioned above made me think- how many of those mother characters are there- dominant, bedridden harpies with dutiful, live-at-home nebbishy sons? ....And have you done "The Loved One" yet?
98?!! WHOO! Good for him! Crazy old coot. Entertaining... crazy old coot.
A really nice tribute in true JW style.
"A Bucket of Blood" was remade in 1995, starring Anthony Michael Hall and Justine Bateman. I saw it by its alternate title, "The Death Artist".
Corman made hundreds of movies and never lost any money. Many current producers could learn a lot from him. My favorite of his was the Edgar Allen Poe/Vincent Price movies. Anyone who says Corman was a bad director never saw those.
Jerome, the best.
Cheers to you! 🍻🍻
A great tribute to a truly unique filmmaker. As much as I enjoy Corman's Poe films, I have a great fondness for his out-and-out comedic efforts like Bucket of Blood and Little Shop of Horrors. His gangster films are very accomplished, too; I believe Machine-Gun Kelly from 1958 brought him acclaim and recognition from the Cahiers du Cinema.
Thanks! I haven't seen any of his gangster movies yet, but I was thinking The St. Valentine's Day Massacre looked promising.
Another thing: the acting, the characters, and the lines they're given in these particular movies, and in "Creature from the Haunted Cave" seem 10 to 20 years ahead of their time, either more eccentric or more frank than their typical '50s counterparts.
8:12 Dick Miller's "beat poem recitation" which begins A Bucket Of Blood. Very funny material! Why Miller didn't have more of a career in A movies is a mystery. Nicholson's great promise fulfilled (the crazy dental patient in Little Shop. ...And years later, incredible career. Not a mystery, though. Corman's films had obvious shortcomings. They did introduce us to some formidable actors in quirky early roles.
sounds like films i need to watch
I've seen and enjoy both of these movies along with Wasp Woman and Crab Monsters. Yeah, some of his movies are just bad but some could be pretty decent. I think the main thing about Corman is he did things his way without studio interference.
I hope you and your family are having a great Memorial Day weekend ❤🇺🇸
Luv HORROR and more so the musical. Great reviews.
YAY A DOUBLE FEATURE YAY FIREWORKS GOING OFF IM SO EXCITED JUST MESSING WITH YOU I LIKE WATCHING YOUR CHANNEL.
Beatniks & Botany
Good double bill.And they take less time to watch than many single features.
With film budgets of recent times hovering into the 300 million range.Film studios and producers would do well
to take a class in Cormanomics.Use hamburger boxes for the wall of a spaceship set.Like a young James Cameron.
Oh wait ! He's making 300 million Avatar films.
I was saddened to learn of Corman's passing.The Poe,Price cycle of films are a personal favourite series.
Did anyone ever turn A Bucket of Blood into a stage musical? It would make a perfect candidate.
Thank you.
Haha, yes, you can watch them back-to-back pretty easily, and it would take less time than a lot of blockbusters these days. I also wondered if anyone had ever tried adapting A Bucket of Blood into a musical. I wouldn't be at all surprised if someone had at least toyed with the idea. It's already got a tune or two...
@@Weiselberry "This summer.
Off Off Broadway.Put "Bucket" on
your list.It might be the last thing
you ever do."
You have found the trick
To being a cool beatnik
SPLAT!
Goes the cat
You got your start
In homicidal art
A Bucket of Blood
The body goes thud
A Bucket of Blood
.............................
**jazz hands**
@@Weiselberry Found out
there has been a musical production
of ABOB.Should have done some
research.Thank you for the
*jazz hands.*
Bucket of Blood is closer to Blood Bath because they both deal with beatniks. Although Little Shop of Horrors and BOB are both more slanted towards dark comedy. Love your reviews.
Yes both these movies are great examples of Corman doing low--budget horror-comedy and it's good they're so easily available for people to watch. My favourite Corman movie though is Battle Beyond the Stars, a sci-fi version of the old Seven Samurai/Magnificent Seven storyline. One interesting thing about it is how the model effects shots have turned up in so many other movies - Corman was determined to get his money's worth from them. The YT channel The Bad Movie Bible did a humorous video looking at how many times a certain shot has been used:
The Most Re-Used Shot in Cinema?
ruclips.net/video/8WVR6gzBGUU/видео.html
i love Jerome, she is so soothing
I rather like The Undead (1957) and the MST3K version is another level of entertainment.
I haven't seen that one yet.
@@Weiselberry Prepare for a Halloween hoot!
It would be great to get a list of a decent amount of the actors he gave their start. With pictures then and later. All the behind the scenes crew would be nice but most of us wouldn't know anything about them so it would be wasted work. Maybe producers/directors and what films they did in the future.
Such a list would be pretty lengthy, I gather. Most people know about his role helping Martin Scorsese, James Cameron, and Ron Howard in their early days, but I'd like to know about less-familiar folks, including behind-the-scenes people. I'm sure there are some great stories there.
Roger Corman has only a few favorite films but BUCKET OF BLOOD and LITTLE SHOP fit there. (CRAB MONSTER is another - what an inventive monster! - eater of people, AND digests their brains for telepathic communications - how bizarre.)
Your final analysis rings true: "These films are better than they ought to be." The creativity is simply amazing - or is it like spaghetti thrown against a wall: "It's inevitable that some stick."
Still impressive sculptures in ‘bucket of blood’ , wonder who did those?
I believe they're actually just mannequins! I also thought they were impressive, especially on such a low budget, but apparently the crew just got very creative with what they had. :)
Do "peeping tom". I remember being really desturbed by it when i seen it. It really does have a powerful psychological effect IMHO
Have you seen 'The Intruder?'
Looking at Roger Corman I think Ed Wood could've had a great career
He knew how to infuse his charisma into films.
I love your top or dress your wearing but believe you wore it when you reviewed Not of this Earth a while back. Wish more women would dress nice like you. Really enjoy your reviews. Saw a nice one the other day with Vincent Price, Last Man on Earth, good movie.
7:11 Wheat germ is not particularly nutritious. It's got a bit of fiber, iron and potassium.
Galaxy of terror and Forbidden world is the best
I saw both of these movies on TCM both are quirky and odd
It's hard to watch little shop of horror if you, like me, saw the remake first.
It's like seeing Cronenberg fly without seeing the original
I love you, Jerome but, you're a crazy Woman if you think ANY movie compares to "Little Shop of Horrors" !
The cat died ... not cool.
Jerome???
Oh! "... an incompetent **fad** chaser". Phew.