Reptileenbu Did you people see the same film I saw?

Manthast Absolutely amazing

Kailansorac Clever, believable, and super fun to watch. It totally has replay value.

Ezmae Chang This is a small, humorous movie in some ways, but it has a huge heart. What a nice experience.

Martin Bradley There are bad movies, there are really bad movies and then there is "Spider Baby", Lon Chaney and a house straight out of "Psycho" notwithstanding. This is the kind of cult movie that makes you realize that cults can be a bad thing. The director was Jack Hill who made his reputation in exploitation cinema, (he made the incredible "Switchblade Sisters" as well as the more mainstream blaxploitation picture "Foxy Brown"), but this is probably what he's best ed for though God knows why. By today's standards there is no gore and fewer frights. Chaney was obviously cast to 'sell' the movie and he 'acts' as if he believed every ridiculous word. If there is anyone here to keep you watching it's Carol Ohmart, an actress who always deserved better than she ended up with.

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.

Mike T While many call this a "Black Comedy" do not expect anything light-hearted. Anything you might want to call funny is not because of humor--intended or unintended--but from sheer madness.Do not expect gore. The horrific things are kept just off screen or very effectively implied just before a scene change.Do expect an incredibly macabre tragedy filled with well-developed characters, quite good acting and an excellent pace. With the slightest imagination it is every bit a cringe-worthy (perhaps even moreso) than the FX driven, gore-filled movies that many have come to expect as the only way to demonstrate "horror".

utgard14 One of the strangest, most original movies to come out of the 1960s. Imitated many times since but never duplicated. A great dark comedy with some genuinely eerie and creepy moments. All of the Merrye kids were fascinating to watch but the best was Virginia, excellently played by Jill Banner. How this woman never became a star is beyond me. Beverly Washburn and Sid Haig are the other kids and they turn in great weirdo performances as well. Legendary horror actor Lon Chaney Jr., by this time losing the battle to his personal demons, gives the last great role of his career. There's even a wolfman reference! Mantan Moreland has a brief but memorable role early on. Oh, and the very sexy Carol Ohmart parades around in her underwear. This is a must-see for everybody. A cult classic that's been very influential in the decades since it was made. Check it out!