The Baby (1973)

A social worker, still reeling from the loss of her architect husband, investigates the eccentric, psychedelic Wadsworth Family, consisting of a mother, two daughters, and an adult son with the apparent mental capacity of an infant.

Director:

Ted Post

Writer:

Abe Polsky

Stars:

Anjanette Comer, Ruth Roman, Marianna Hill

Cast

Complete credited 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	...	Babysitter
Don Mallon
Joseph Bernard	...	Mr. Foley
Virginia Vincent
David Mooney	...	Baby (as David Manzy)

Storyline

A social worker who recently lost her husband investigates the strange Wadsworth family. The Wadsworths might not seem too unusual to hear about them at first - consisting of the mother, two grown daughters and the diaper-clad, bottle-sucking baby. The problem is, the baby is twenty-one years old.

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Plot Keywords:

social worker | birthday party | dysfunctional family | psychopath | mental retardation | 

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Taglines:

Horror is his formula!

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Genres:

Horror | Thriller

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Certificate:

PG

Did You Know?

Trivia

Ted Post: Dart player at birthday party.

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Goofs

When Ann Gentry plays with baby, she gives the baby a plush lion but says it is a tiger.

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Quotes

Ann Gentry: You do this every day, Mrs. Wadsworth?
Mrs. Wadsworth: Have to, or the muscles'll go bad.
Ann Gentry: His legs seem perfectly normal, I'm surprised he doesn't walk.

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Connections

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

User Reviews

A very odd piece of 70's Horror

I first saw "The Baby" on a late night horror show called "Grimsley". It was on TV so of course they had to edit the very few graphic scenes, but it is still nonetheless disturbing. But as a 9 year old kid, watching a man-child in diapers didn't scare me a bit. Monsters scared me. So this movie was just goofy and at the same time interesting. Why would anyone be interested in such a warped conceit as "The Baby". It's just weird and intriguing. But it also has a sweetness to it. The outcome of course is a very eerie twist and touching outlook on love and compassion. Whether or not this film intentionally tried to freak you out or just paint a strangely humanistic picture, it succeeds on the freakish level. But its played with total seriousness. Serious and corny. Don't be surprised if you catch find yourself shaking your head repeatedly at this movie, you will also be surprised at how much it will mesmerize you.

Details

Official Sites:

Severin Films [United States]

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

March 1973 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Baby

Company Credits

Production Co:

Quintet Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

84 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1