The Baby (1973)

Director:

Ted Post

Writer:

Abe Polsky (written by)

Release Date:

March 1973 (USA)

Genre:

Horror | Thriller

Tagline:

Horror is his formula!

Plot:

A social worker who recently lost her husband investigates the strange Wadsworth family. The Wadsworths...

Plot Keywords:

Baby | Social Worker | Bare Chested Male | Darts | Knife

Cast

Anjanette Comer	...	Ann Gentry
Ruth Roman	...	Mrs. Wadsworth
Marianna Hill	...	Germaine Wadsworth
Susanne Zenor	...	Alba Wadsworth (as Suzanne Zenor)
Tod Andrews	...	Doctor
Michael Pataki	...	Dennis
Beatrice Manley	...	Judith (as Beatrice Manley Blau)
Erin O'Reilly
Don Mallon
Joseph Bernard
Virginia Vincent
David Mooney	...	Baby (as David Manzy)
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Ted Post	...	Dart player at birthday party (uncredited)

Directed by
Ted Post

Writing credits
Abe Polsky		(written by)

Produced by
Elliott Feinman	....	executive producer
Ralph Hirsch	....	executive producer
Abe Polsky	....	producer
Milton Polsky	....	producer

Original Music by
Gerald Fried

Cinematography by
Michael D. Margulies		(director of photography) (as Michael Margulies)

Film Editing by
Bob Crawford Sr.
Dick Wormell

Makeup Department
Byrd Holland	....	makeup artist

Production Management
Jesse Corallo	....	production manager

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Jesse Corallo	....	assistant director

Art Department
Charles Chicetti	....	props
Michael Devine	....	set director
Stanley Dyrector	....	painter: nursery paintings

Sound Department
Richard Greer	....	sound effects
Robert L. Harman	....	sound mixer (as Robert Harman)
William Markee	....	boom man

Camera and Electrical Department
Christopher Lynch	....	gaffer
Dixon Wimpy	....	camera operator

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Shirley Brewton	....	wardrobe
Frances Dennis	....	wardrobe

Editorial Department
Brad Blake	....	assistant editor
Andrew London	....	assistant editor

Music Department
John Caper Jr.	....	music cutter (as John Caper)
Gerald Fried	....	conductor

Other crew
Hazel W. Hall	....	script supervisor (as Hazel Hall)

Production Companies

• Quintet Productions (presents) (as Quintet Films)

Distributors

• Scotia International (1973) (USA) (theatrical)
• Filmways Australasian Distributors (????) (Australia) (theatrical)
• Geneon Entertainment (2005) (USA) (DVD)
• Image Entertainment (2000) (USA) (DVD)
• Image Entertainment (2000) (USA) (VHS)
• Severin Films (2010) (USA) (DVD)

Other Companies

• Consolidated Film Industries (CFI)  processing: titles & opticals
• Glen Glenn Sound Company  sound (as Glen Glenn)

Also Known As:

Runtime:

84 min | Australia:89 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Australia:M | USA:PG | UK:X | Norway:(Banned) (1973-2003) (cinema release)

Company:

Quintet Productions

Trivia:

The producer's son played the part of the infant baby.

Quotes:

Babysitter:Nothing really happened, honest!
Mrs. Wadsworth:Nothing happened? With your damn tit in his mouth, and you call that nothing? Lying bitch!

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Ban the Sadist Videos! Part 2 (2006) (V)

Oh Baby!

Worthwhile,off beat, modern Gothic tale centering on a dysfunctional family that emasculates the only male in the family by keeping him a baby:even though he is fully grown. And lucky "Baby", all the women in the film want him for their own reasons. An unusual premise, with effective performances, efficient direction, and good use of location makes for an enjoyably twisted B movie. The movie drags a bit toward the end, and begins to seem a bit thin but, it remains compelling. A real find on budget DVD.

Comer is well-cast in the lead and Roman's performance is classic. As Roman's daughters, cult figure Marianna Hill (Red Line 7000,Medium Cool, High Plains Drifter,Dead People) and Suzanne Zenor are convincingly creepy. And did I mention Beatrice Manley Blau as Comer's mother-in-law? Now, she's scary!

Slick and sick little film that ends with a nice twist. Shelved by the studio;than given a limited theatrical release. A bit difficult to categorize but, definitely worth seeking out. The DVD, regrettably, has no extras but, the transfer looks good.