Rating: 
Summary: If you never went to the theatre before the 70s...
Review: ...BR>The DVD print looks beautiful and I believe this was Lon Chaney's greatest role from the 1950s up til his death. It's scary! It's a little sexy (the DVD cover even plays that aspect up but viewers buying it for that reason will be disappointed). It's a little tongue-in-cheek and it's a great popcorn flick. This is one of those films that may not be around ten years from now so enjoy it while you can.
And how can you not like any film with Sid Haig! Long Live Sid!!
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Summary: The Addams Family gone nuttzo!
Review: After reading the other reviews of this movie, and being a Lon Chaney Jr. fan, my curiosity got the best of me, and I bought the movie. Wow! Take the Addams Family, make them crazier than they are and make them cannibalistic and you have the Merrye Family. This bunch would even scare off the Munsters.I would also agree that this was Chaney's best performance following his success at Universal in the 1940s. He seemed to relish the role. Just listen to his sadistic gruffy voice as he sings the title song. There was definitely a spark there for him. I also love the subliminal message sent across as they sat down at the supper table. When they start talking about the Universal horror monsters and how much they love the Wolfman. The camera cuts to Chaney, who goes back 20 years in time and says in his best Lawrence Talbot voice, "The moon will be full tonight." What a great flashback. I'll bet after finishing that scene, Chaney probably thought long and hard about those wonder years at Universal. Spider Baby is definitely a cult classic that has probably been forgotten by many. I had never heard of it until I saw it here on Amazon. It's sick, but no more sick than some of the gory garbage they put out today with five gallons of ketchup flying everywhere. Be aware of the Merrye family! Especially when Virginia wants to play spider!
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Summary: "Ralph's allowed to eat anything that he catches"...
Review: Also known as THE LIVER EATERS, and subtitled THE MADDEST STORY EVER TOLD (a variation on the DeMille movie); this 30th Anniversary DVD of Jack (FOXY BROWN) Hill's horror classic SPIDER BABY is a real treat. For a movie addict like myself, discovering this is like having Xmas come early.
Hill's script deals with an imaginary medical condition known as "Merrye's Syndrome", a "rotting of the brain" a disease so awful many authorities are in denial of its existance. The result of inbreeding, the sufferer experiences age regression, which is to say as the body grows, the mind gets younger. SPIDER BABY tells the story of "that fateful day ten years ago" that Merrye's Syndrome was wiped out forever.
Despite their name, the Merrye family are anything but and make the Addams family look like the Cleavers by comparison.
Horror legend Lon Chaney Jr has one of his best roles as Bruno Schlocker, the Merrye family's new chauffeur- though unknown to him the previous driver was "webbed" by Virginia Merrye (Jill Banner), one of their cute but deranged daughters. As if that wasn't enough the poor chap also had his ears hacked off with a pair of carving knives. What a lovely young lady. The other psychotic daughter is Elizabeth (Beverly Washburn) also cute, but suffering from radical brain rot. And last but not least is Ralph (Sid Haig) an unfortunate fellow who stalks and kills domestic cats, which the Merryes then roast and serve to their guests; who are told they're eating rabbit. Ironically, the Merrye family are all vegans because.... nope. No spoilers.
During dinner one of the guests asks Bruno: "Isn't Ralph a vegetarian too?" to which Bruno replies: "Yes, but Ralph's allowed to eat anything that he catches".
DVD extras include Commentary by Jack Hill: which is actually worth listening to (Unlike some bloated commentaries by Hollywood egoists and talentless film makers); filmographies for Hill and Lon Chaney Jr; plus footage of the 30th Anniversary reunion presented by archivist Johnny Legend as well as an additional 8 minutes of previously unseen footage.
A must have for cult movie buffs; SPIDER BABY is a true original and four decades on it retains its creepy fascination. Buy it and let the SPIDER BABY weave its macabre web on you!!
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Summary: A TRUE CULT FILM....
Review: Another of those neglected films I'd heard about but never found available, "SPIDER BABY" is a genuine find. Wow. It ranks right up there with the true American cult films that only us movie buffs can appreciate. Superlative cast, amazing production on a very low budget and bizarre story all done up with tongue-in-cheek direction and acting...how it got "lost" or whatever for so long just confounds me. All I can say is thank heaven there are afficianados out there who find these treasures and save them from obliteration. And may I say THANK YOU to Image for their tender loving care in presenting "SIDER BABY" so well on disc. I recommend this treat to anyone with a taste for the, uh, strange(?) and the unusual. It's a keeper....
Rating:
Summary: A Pre-Human Condition of Savagery & Cannibalism
Review: Here's a story of one messed up family, afflicted by a genetic condition that gradually deteriorates the mind and reverts the afflicted to a savage state, behold the Merrye Syndrome. "The unfortunate result of inbreeding." Now this movie isn't exactly gore driven, it's more of an eerie creeper that implies alot with out actually showing. Which might anger some of the sadists out there. But it works pretty darn well. The cast is really good, especially Sid Haig. This movie is an obvious precursor to The Texas Chainsaw Massacre which should make people want to see it. Besides it has Lon Chaney Jr. in it. What horror fan wouldn't want to see Spider Baby? Great dialogue, uber-creepines, and one sicko story, not much more to ask for in a horror film. "Just because something isn't good doesn't mean it's bad." "Eating of flesh would hasten the progress of their condition." "Help me find something sharp."
Rating:
Summary: A Pre-Human Condition of Savagery & Cannibalism
Review: Here's a story of one messed up family, afflicted by a genetic condition that gradually deteriorates the mind and reverts the afflicted to a savage state, behold the Merrye Syndrome. "The unfortunate result of inbreeding." Now this movie isn't exactly gore driven, it's more of an eerie creeper that implies alot with out actually showing. Which might anger some of the sadists out there. But it works pretty darn well. The cast is really good, especially Sid Haig. This movie is an obvious precursor to The Texas Chainsaw Massacre which should make people want to see it. Besides it has Lon Chaney Jr. in it. What horror fan wouldn't want to see Spider Baby? Great dialogue, uber-creepines, and one sicko story, not much more to ask for in a horror film. "Just because something isn't good doesn't mean it's bad." "Eating of flesh would hasten the progress of their condition." "Help me find something sharp."
Rating:
Summary: Catch This One! You'll Eat It Up...
Review: How does one describe SPIDER BABY? Well, take "The Addams Family", add "The People Under the Stairs", toss in "Arsenic And Old Lace", blend in a tablespoon of the attitude of "Little Shop Of Horrors" with just a pinch of "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre", and stir violently. That comes about as close as I can get to describing it. Jack Hill has created a macabre masterpiece, full of frights and fun from beginning to end! The Merrye family have "Merrye Syndrome", a rotting of the brain, caused by generations of inbreeding. The kids Virginia (Jill Banner), Elizabeth (Beverly Washburn), and Ralph (Sid Haig) are real cut-ups! They've been isolated in a big, secluded house on a hill, watched over by Bruno (Lon Chaney Jr.) for their entire lives. Now teenagers, things are about to change. A pair of distant relatives (played by Quinn Redeker and Carol Ohmart) have come, with sleazy lawyer in tow, to take control and institutionalize the children. Unfortunately for these invaders, they don't know just how crazy the kids really are. They are also ignorant of the fact that these siblings are cannibals! If they had known, they would never have spent the night! SPIDER BABY relies on a cool story, great acting, dark humor, and creepiness to overcome it's microscopic budget (just think of all those mega-budget stinkers over the years). It's an ensemble effort that pays off. Buy it now...
Rating:
Summary: Catch This One! You'll Eat It Up...
Review: How does one describe SPIDER BABY? Well, take "The Addams Family", add "The People Under the Stairs", toss in "Arsenic And Old Lace", blend in a tablespoon of the attitude of "Little Shop Of Horrors" with just a pinch of "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre", and stir violently. That comes about as close as I can get to describing it. Jack Hill has created a macabre masterpiece, full of frights and fun from beginning to end! The Merrye family have "Merrye Syndrome", a rotting of the brain, caused by generations of inbreeding. The kids Virginia (Jill Banner), Elizabeth (Beverly Washburn), and Ralph (Sid Haig) are real cut-ups! They've been isolated in a big, secluded house on a hill, watched over by Bruno (Lon Chaney Jr.) for their entire lives. Now teenagers, things are about to change. A pair of distant relatives (played by Quinn Redeker and Carol Ohmart) have come, with sleazy lawyer in tow, to take control and institutionalize the children. Unfortunately for these invaders, they don't know just how crazy the kids really are. They are also ignorant of the fact that these siblings are cannibals! If they had known, they would never have spent the night! SPIDER BABY relies on a cool story, great acting, dark humor, and creepiness to overcome it's microscopic budget (just think of all those mega-budget stinkers over the years). It's an ensemble effort that pays off. Buy it now...
Rating:
Summary: Yeah Baby, Yeah!
Review: I discovered this DVD a few weeks ago whilst browsing Amazon. I had'nt seen or heard of it before and simply bought it on a whim. It now ranks as one of the most enjoyable movies in my collection. 'Spider Baby' is in a different league to most other B-movies. The production is lifted by excellent direction from Jack Hill and by a very capable and likable cast. The real surprise for me was Lon Chaney's performance as the family chauffeur. I'd half expected to see a washed up old horror star sadly trying to emulate his past glories (a la Bela Lugosi in 'Plan 9 From Outer Space'). Instead, Lon Chaney treats us to one of the best performances of his career (honestly!) and shows what a great professional he was. The movie benefits from a marvellous musical score, including the opening theme which is sung by Mr Chaney himself. It really does have to be heard to be believed. The storyline is surprisingly slow paced and there is little on-screen gore or violence. Most of the horror occurs off camera and the film relies on the weird characters and strange goings on to keep viewers capitivated...and it succeeds brilliantly! On the technical side, picture quality is fantastic - exceptionally clean and sharp with very little sign of wear and tear. The sound is single channel mono and is also very good. The film is presented in its original widescreen 1.66:1 ratio. This is a good size even if you don't own a widescreen set - the movie looked great on my standard size 1.33:1 TV. The DVD also features an interesting commentary by the film's writer and director Jack Hill. Jack has a very easy going style and gives lots of behind the scenes info on the movie, cast and crew. Spider verdict : a thoroughly enjoyable tongue-in-cheek horror that comes highly recommended.
Rating:
Summary: Loved This Movie
Review: I had never seen or heard of this movie I was browsing the DVD rental store picked it up went home and popped it into the dvd player and then couldnt walk away. I thouroghly enjoyed this movie. I never rent B movies i dont know why I rented this one but I'm happy I did. The opening song was hilarious , The family was creepy, there was overacting , under acting, and good actinig Filmed in Black and White,It was probably ahead of it's time. This movie is now one of my Favorite Movies List So I orderd me a copy of this movie on DVD
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