Spider Baby or, the Maddest Story Ever Told (1967)

A caretaker devotes himself to three demented siblings after their father's death.

Director:

Jack Hill

Writer:

Jack Hill

Stars:

Lon Chaney Jr., Carol Ohmart, Quinn K. Redeker

1 nomination.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Lon Chaney Jr.	...	Bruno (as Lon Chaney)
Carol Ohmart	...	Emily
Quinn K. Redeker	...	Peter (as Quinn Redeker)
Beverly Washburn	...	Elizabeth
Jill Banner	...	Virginia
Sid Haig	...	Ralph
Mary Mitchel	...	Ann
Karl Schanzer	...	Schlocker
Mantan Moreland	...	Messenger

Storyline

In a dilapidated rural mansion, the last generation of the degenerate, inbred Merrye family lives with the inherited curse of a disease that causes them to mentally regress from the age of 10 or so on as they physically develop. The family chauffeur looks out for them and covers up their indiscretions. Trouble comes when greedy distant relatives and their lawyer arrive to dispossess the family of its home.

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Plot Keywords:

cult film | b movie | spider in mouth | exploitation | slasher | 

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Taglines:

Not for people who faint easily!

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Genres:

Comedy | Horror

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Did You Know?

Trivia

Star Lon Chaney Jr. sings the film's quirky theme song.

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Goofs

When Ralph drags in the scooter, the gate is left wide open. When Peter and Emily arrive, the gate is closed.

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Quotes

Schlocker: This has gone well beyond the boundaries of prudence and good taste.

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Crazy Credits

As the film ends, "THE END" appears on the screen, then suddenly changes to "THE END ?".

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Alternate Versions

A special home video version, released by Video Treasures in 1994, features a remastered print of the film (all previous versions being of very dubious quality). This version is also widescreened and features footage (after the film) of a cast/crew reunion at a midnight showing of the film.

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Connections

References Frankenstein (1931)

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Soundtracks

Spider Baby Theme
(uncredited)
Written by Ronald Stein
Performed by Lon Chaney Jr.

User Reviews

It's mad all right

The film opens with one of the most horrific murders ever shown on film; the rest of the movie is never again quite this frightening or startling, but is enjoyable nonetheless as a horror-comedy of the same ilk as "House on Haunted Hill" or "Bucket of Blood." The story concerns a family of inbred Southern degenerates who were once proud and powerful but whom years of inbreeding have reduced not only to childlike idiocy but savagery; some distant relatives out for money decide to meddle with dire, predictable results. The movie, complete with a loyal retainer, cute but deadly kids, and some even deadlier aunties and uncles kept tucked away in the cellar is essentially an extended version of an Addams family episode (the drawn out dinner scene is a bit too sitcomish). However, there are enough funny-scary moments to keep things moving along: the more memorable of these being when bitchy ice queen Emily succumbs to brother Ralph's caveman charms and when sister Virginia, the spider baby of the title, gives her long dead father a good night kiss—a scene with a weirdly poetic quality like something out of Poe. Perhaps the best part of the movie is Lon Chaney Jr. in his touching portrayal of Bruno, the kindly chauffeur who is genuinely devoted to his savage and hopeless surrogate family.

A cult film that deserves its status.

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

24 December 1967 (USA)

Also Known As:

Spider Baby

Filming Locations:

Chatsworth, Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$65,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Lasky-Monka

Technical Specs

Runtime:

81 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1