Watch Spider Baby

"Spider Baby" is a horror-comedy movie that was released in 1967. The movie stars Lon Chaney Jr., Carol Ohmart, Quinn K. Redeker, and a young Sid Haig in one of his first movie roles. It was written and directed by Jack Hill and produced by Bart Patton. The movie is centered around the Merrye family, a group of siblings who suffer from a rare genetic disease that causes them to regress mentally to a state resembling childhood. The family is under the care of their loyal chauffeur, Bruno (Chaney), who has been with them since the children were born.

The Merrye children include Virginia (Jill Banner), who has a particular fascination with spiders and has a habit of collecting them and keeping them as pets, and her two brothers, Ralph (Haig) and Elizabeth (Beverly Washburn). They live in an old, dilapidated mansion, which used to belong to their wealthy family.

One day, a group of distant relatives arrive at the mansion with the intention of taking custody of the children and controlling the family's fortune. The relatives include Emily Howe (Ohmart) and her lawyer husband Peter (Redeker). They show up with their pretty young friend Ann Morris (Mary Mitchel) in tow, unaware of what they're getting into.

As soon as they arrive, the Merrye siblings begin exhibiting their strange behavior, causing Emily and Peter to become increasingly uncomfortable. The situation escalates quickly as the Merrye children become more and more violent, and the group becomes trapped inside the house.

"Spider Baby" is a darkly comedic horror movie that blurs the line between sympathy and revulsion. The Merrye siblings are simultaneously endearing and unsettling. Jill Banner delivers a standout performance as Virginia, who is both childlike and sadistic, and has an almost innocent quality about her that makes her actions all the more disturbing.

Lon Chaney Jr. gives one of his best performances as Bruno, the chauffeur who has taken on the role of the children's caretaker. His character is sympathetic and likable, yet also deeply burdened with the weight of his responsibilities.

The movie's themes are rooted in its underlying message about mental illness and how society treats those who suffer from it. The Merrye children are outcasts and are feared and shunned by others because of their condition. However, the movie also shows how the children are still human beings with their own emotions and desires.

"Spider Baby" is a movie that defies categorization. It's a horror movie, a comedy, and a commentary on social and medical issues all at once. The movie's unique blend of humor and horror makes it an unforgettable viewing experience that has remained popular with horror fans for over 50 years.

Overall, "Spider Baby" is a must-see for anyone who loves classic horror movies. Its bizarre and twisted plot, coupled with strong performances from the cast, makes for a movie that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very end.

Spider Baby is a 1964 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 26 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.8 and a MetaScore of 63.