The Little Shop of Horrors AIP distributed the film as the B movie for their release of Mario Bava's "Black Sunday". Despite being barely mentioned in advertising (it was only occasionally referred to as an "Added Attraction" to Bava's film), "Black Sunday"'s critical and commercial success resulted in positive word of mouth responses to "The Little Shop of Horrors". The film was re-released again the following year in a double feature with "Last Woman on Earth". Because Corman did not believe that "The Little Shop of Horrors" had much financial prospect after its initial theatrical run, he did not bother to copyright it, resulting in
The Little Shop of Horrors "Oriole Plove". Actress Nancy Kulp was a leading candidate for the part. The characters that eventually became Seymour and Winifred Krelboyne were named "Irish Eye" and "Iris Eye." Actor Mel Welles was scheduled to play a character named "Draco Cardala", Jonathan Haze was scheduled to play "Archie Aroma," and Jack Nicholson would have played a character named "Jocko". Charles B. Griffith wanted to write a horror-themed comedy film. According to Mel Welles, Corman was not impressed by the box office performance of "A Bucket of Blood", and had to be persuaded to direct another comedy. However, Corman later claimed he