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What to write about THIS one? I have to be unprejudiced, this is a tough call to do, because I unprejudiced haven’t seen anything quite like this before, and maybe that’s enough of a recommendation in itself. Some reviewers have likened it to “The Addams Family”, but I’d say “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre” is another candidate for comparison. The Merrye family suffers from a degenerative disease (“rots the brain” – that’s what my dad former to say about laughable books!) which causes them to regress to, eventually, homicidal, psychopathic cannibals. There’s no denying that Lon Chaney does a superb job as the family chauffeur and as the sole snarl of reason in the madhouse. Carol Ohmart, as a relative visiting to reclaim the estate, reprises her sexy ice-queen role from “House on Afraid Hill”, this time stripping down to the dismal lace (in one of the more gratuitous moments in a gratuitous movie!)
There’s no gore, at least nothing like what you commonly search for in today’s bad excuses for “fright movies”. In fact, the “rat scene” from “Frightful Sun Demon” is probably more of a pure gross-out than anything on camera in this movie. But the *implied* violence is there, in spades. And folks, it’s queer. Do NOT request to sit there and yawn. It may have been done on a obscene budget, but all that means is that today’s directors are wasting money. “Spider Baby”‘s director, Jack Hill, did some work with Roger Corman before knocking this one off in a mere 12 days of shooting. The movie was lost in good limbo for years, and that lack of exposure at a time when it could never have made it to television probably ensured it’s future as a proper “cult” film.
The print is safe – no complaints at all. The missing 8 minutes isn’t the usual well-deserved sever, either: in this case, they lopped off significant background information. (I wish that they had restored it into the film instead of having it as an “extra”, but hey! We’re lucky to gain ANYthing here!)
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Bottom line: you can’t call yourself a “cult movie fan” if you haven’t seen this one. It is in no intention similar in spot to “Carnival of Souls”, but I’d have to say that it ranks proper up there with that classic for pure strangeness.
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 scrumptious movies in my collection. ‘Spider Baby’ is in a different league to most other B-movies. The production is lifted by first-rate direction from Jack Hill and by a very advantageous and likable cast. The loyal surprise for me was Lon Chaney’s performance as the family chauffeur. I’d half expected to eye a washed up obsolete fear 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 spacious professional he was. The movie benefits from a marvellous musical accept, 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 tiring, paced and there is tiny on-screen gore or violence. Most of the fear occurs off camera and the film relies on the odd characters and unique goings on to preserve viewers capitivated…and it succeeds brilliantly!
On the technical side, characterize quality is astonishing – exceptionally neat and attractive with very microscopic mark of wear and drag. The sound is single channel mono and is also very expedient. The film is presented in its current widescreen 1.66:1 ratio. This is a superb size even if you don’t fill a widescreen region – the movie looked immense on my standard size 1.33:1 TV. The DVD also features an attractive commentary by the film’s writer and director Jack Hill. Jack has a very easy going style and gives lots of unhurried the scenes info on the movie, cast and crew. Spider verdict : a thoroughly exquisite tongue-in-cheek terror that comes highly recommended.
1995 W Silver Eagle
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