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MOVIES / ON DVD / SPIDER BABY
Spider Baby

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Spider Baby (1964)

100%
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80%
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100 %
Reviews Counted: 7 Fresh: 7  Rotten:0 Average Rating: 7.3/10

How does the Tomatometer work?

The Tomatometer measures the percentage of positive reviews from Approved Tomatometer Critics for a certain movie.[-]

Runtime: 1 hr 40 mins

Synopsis: This gleefully deranged cult favorite marked the feature debut of Jack Hill (COFFY, THE SWITCHBLADE SISTERS) and one of the final screen appearances of horror icon Lon Chaney Jr. The story takes place at the home of the Merrye family, victims of a strange disease that degenerates its victims... This gleefully deranged cult favorite marked the feature debut of Jack Hill (COFFY, THE SWITCHBLADE SISTERS) and one of the final screen appearances of horror icon Lon Chaney Jr. The story takes place at the home of the Merrye family, victims of a strange disease that degenerates its victims to a pre-human, cannibal state. The sole remaining survivors are the family chauffeur, Bruno (Chaney), sexually precocious sisters Elizabeth (Beverly Washburn) and Virginia (Jill Banner) and their animal-like brother Ralph (Sid Haig). The kids like to stalk and kill anything that gets into the yard, including an unlucky telegram messenger (Mantan Moreland), and when some greedy relatives eager to claim the family fortune intrude upon their familial bliss, an evening of wild, murderous thrills is certain. Hill leavens the gruesome horrors of this film with sly wit, and even some touching moments; a tearful monologue by Chaney is a surprisingly moving highlight, and works eloquently as a farewell from the great star. Chanry also sings the zany title song. Fans of THE ADDAMS FAMILY or the films of Tim Burton are urged to check out this special midnight treat, which only gets better with repeat viewings. [More]

Genre: Horror/Suspense

Starring: Lon Chaney, Mantan Moreland, Sig Haig, Carol Ohmart, Beverly Washburn

Director: Jack Hill
Screenwriter: Jack Hill
Composer: Ronald Stein

DVD Info

Release:

Jan 9, 2009

[DVD Details]

DVD Features:

Additional Release Material:

  • Audio Commentary
  • Alternate Opening Title Sequence
  • Extended Scene

Text/Photo Gallery:

  • Still Gallery

Reviews

 
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1 - 10 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
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Full Review | comment Comment
01/01/00
Bob McCabe
Empire Magazine
Top Critic Icon Top Critic
Ratings Image
3/4

Though hampered by bad distribution deals and multiple title changes, word of mouth helped Spider Baby to connect with fans of schlock cinema.

Full Review | comment Comment
09/29/07
Jeremiah Kipp
Slant Magazine
Ratings Image
N/A

Two-Legged Freaks!

Full Review | comment Comment
09/28/07
Staci Layne Wilson
Horror.com
Ratings Image
B-

If you like trashy horror films, you should be thrilled with this special treat.

Full Review | comment Comment
03/18/07
Dennis Schwartz
Ozus' World Movie Reviews
Ratings Image
4/5

No review available.

comment Comment
07/30/05
Andy Klein
Los Angeles CityBeat
Ratings Image
4/5

Lon Chaney sings the theme song. What more do you want?

comment Comment
02/03/05
Ken Hanke
Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review | comment Comment
05/17/04
Jeffrey M. Anderson
Combustible Celluloid
Ratings Image
4/5

No review available.

comment Comment
05/31/03
Laura Clifford
Reeling Reviews
N/R

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Full Review | comment Comment
11/02/01
Orlando Weekly
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3/5

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Full Review | comment Comment
01/01/00
Marc Savlov
Austin Chronicle
1 - 10 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
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Related Forums

One of Lon Chaney's Last Films
by: ctyankee 4/14/03


What Spider Baby is about
by: ctyankee 4/10/03


Whose Is Hotter - Virginia or Elizabeth?
by: ctyankee 4/10/03

Around the Network

• Spider Baby at Rotten Tomatoes
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