Leofwine_draca
As a rule I don't generally get on too well with those films championed as 'cult favourites' by fans, such as THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW, and so it proves with SPIDER BABY. It's an okay film for sure, and given the lack of money that went into it, it's pretty decent at times, but it's a film I mildly enjoyed rather than loved and I think that other low budget independent features from the 1960s, like THE TERROR, DEMENTIA 13, or TARGETS, are more interesting.This one's a variant on the 'old dark house' genre, with a house full of crazies. As expected, there's a whole lot of overacting going on throughout, with various demented characters shouting and arguing and occasionally knifing each other. Oh, and a few spiders scuttle about here and there. I found the whole thing a bit overwrought in comparison to other psycho-thrillers of the decade. This is chiefly of interest for the good performances from the guest stars, including a never-kookier Sid Haig and old-timers Mantan Moreland and Lon Chaney Jr., the latter on particularly good form.
poe-48833
SPIDER BABY (OR, THE MADDEST STORY EVER TOLD) goes where television shows like THE ADDAMS FAMILY and THE MUNSTERS could only (tastefully?)suggest- and does so unapologetically (see the scene where the messenger is trapped by a falling window and has his ear lopped off- and don't overlook the implied incest throughout). Lon Chaney, Jr. sings the tongue-in-cheek theme song, which is more than a little surprising (this is the only time I've ever heard him sing, and he does a decent enough job of it); he also hits all the right Dramatic notes throughout the movie, including in a scene in which he breaks down. The inbred Merryes are the direct lineal ancestors of the Sawyers (THE Texas CHAINSAW MASSACRE) and the Peacock family (the "HOME" episode of THE X-FILES). Paved the way for many later (and often lesser) efforts.
lemon_magic
A friend showed me his copy of "Spider Baby" a couple of years ago, and to tell the truth, in spite of my bent for odd ball fringe cinema, I wasn't sure what to make of it...although I had to admit, it had its moments. However, the second time around when I saw it on one of those free streaming channels on Roku, I was much more impressed with everything.I was especially impressed with Lon Chaney's demented sad sack performance, with the air of lunacy and degeneracy that surrounded the family, and yet the real affection and bonding they seemed to have with each other. And I could see that most of the scenery and props and lighting was very effective in getting what the director wanted to convey to the audience. Part "Fall of the House Of Usher", part "Texas Chainsaw Massacre", part "House of 1000 Corpses", and yet sustaining a more delicate balance of mood and sadness and menace than any of those worthy entries...this is quite the treat if you are into weird, old movies. Go see it if you like this sort of thing.
Johan Louwet
If I had to describe this movie in one word than "weird" would be fitting. Disturbing it is at times but comparing it to what we get to see today it is very mild. I love this more subtle approach along with the black and white cinematography which helps to create a creepy atmosphere. These 3 kids are just great horror characters. We have Ralph, the bald boy who doesn't seem to have the ability to speak looks at first a young version of Uncle Fester from the Addams Family but you really wouldn't want to be with him in a room alone. His facial expressions that seem to crave for meat from no matter what creature is really scary. Elizabeth well she is the eldest and looks pretty normal until she realizes that she and her siblings are in danger of losing the house. And last but not least there is Virginia who has this obsession with spiders. The scenes where she pretends to be a spider are just great. Other great scenes are the dinner scene and of course when the greedy Mr Schlocker starts to roam the rooms of the house.
AD
