Spider Baby

Spider Baby
Theatrical release poster
Directed by	Jack Hill
Screenplay by	Jack Hill
Produced by	Paul Monka Gil Lasky
Starring	Jill Banner Lon Chaney Jr.
Cinematography	Alfred Taylor
Edited by	Elliot Fayad
Music by	Ronald Stein
Production company	Lasky-Monka Productions
Distributed by	American General Pictures
Release date	December 8, 1967(1967-12-08)(Fremont, Ohio)
Running time	80 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English
Budget	$65,000

Spider Baby: or, the Maddest Story Ever Toldis a 1967 Americancomedy horrorfilm, written and directed byJack Hill.It starsLon Chaney Jr.as Bruno, the chauffeur and caretaker of three orphaned siblings who suffer from "Merrye Syndrome", a genetic condition starting in early puberty that causes them to regress mentally, socially and physically.Jill Banner,Carol Ohmart,Quinn Redeker,Beverly Washburn,Sid Haig,Mary Mitchel, Karl Schanzer andMantan Morelandalso star.

The film was released to relative obscurity,but eventually achievedcultstatus.

Plot

At the decaying Merrye House, feared by locals, the Merrye children Ralph, Virginia, and Elizabeth have lived in seclusion with the familychauffeurBruno ever since their parents died. All three have advanced Merrye Syndrome, a genetic affliction unique to members of the family which causes them, starting in late childhood, toregress down the evolutionary laddermentally and physically. They exhibit a playful innocence well before their years, mixed with feral madness.

Ralph is a sexually advanced, but mentally deficientsimpletonwho moves through the house via thedumb-waiter.Virginia is obsessed with spiders, and has more than once murdered visitors in a game of "spider", trapping them by rigging a window to snap shut on them, before hacking them to death with butcher knives. Elizabeth is regarded by Bruno as the most responsible of the three, but is also conniving and infatuated with the concept of hate. The children hold a steadfast respect and affection for Bruno, but increasingly disregard his admonitions against their darkerimpulses.

Virginia's latest victim is a delivery man serving notice that Peter Howe and his sister Emily, distant relatives of the Merrye family, are coming with their lawyer Schlocker and his secretary Ann, seeking to claim the property as rightful heirs. Bruno hastily coaches the children in enough social etiquette to pass muster before the visitors arrive. Schlocker is outraged that the children have been in the sole care of Bruno (who did not acquire legal guardianship) and have never attended school. Bruno tells him the children arementally retardedand resists the suggestion to put them in an institution, having sworn to their father to protect them for life. Emily and Schlocker insist on staying overnight to examine the situation, but with only two rooms available, Peter takes Ann into town to stay at an inn.

Schlocker investigates the house, going down to the basement, where he finds the Merrye patriarch's siblings are kept in a pit. Virginia and Elizabeth murder Schlocker to prevent him from reporting this discovery. Bruno realizes it will be impossible to keep this latest murder covered up, and leaves to fetch dynamite from a nearby construction site, planning to blow up the entire Merrye family rather than allow them to be confined. In his absence, Emily finds Schlocker's body as Virginia and Elizabeth are trying to dispose of it. The girls chase Emily out into the woods, where she is captured and raped by Ralph.

Finding no rooms available in town, Peter and Ann return to the mansion. Elizabeth, fearing the consequences if their crimes are discovered, escorts Ann to her room, leading her into the clutches of Ralph, while Virginia starts a game of "spider" with Peter, tying him to a chair and preparing to "sting" him with her knives. Elizabeth intervenes to ask for help with Ann, who is struggling against her and Ralph.

In the woods, Emily awakes traumatised and delirious. Sexually aggressive and murderous, she returns to the house and attacks Ralph while his sisters defend him. Meanwhile, Peter escapes his confinement and frees Ann. Bruno arrives with the dynamite and urges Peter to flee. Peter escorts Ann to safety as the house explodes behind them, killing Bruno and the Merrye family.

Peter, as the sole remaining heir, inherits the vast Merrye family fortune, marries Ann, and writes a book on the Merrye Syndrome phenomenon. His branch of the family, being rather distant, has never been afflicted by the syndrome. However, ten years later, while wandering outside, Peter and Ann's young daughter is fascinated by a spider.

Cast

• Lon Chaney Jr.as Bruno (as Lon Chaney)
• Carol Ohmartas Emily Howe
• Quinn Redekeras Peter Howe
• Beverly Washburnas Elizabeth
• Jill Banneras Virginia
• Sid Haigas Ralph
• Mary Mitchel as Ann
• Karl Schanzer as Schlocker
• Mantan Morelandas Messenger
• Carolyn Cooper as Aunt Clara
• Joan Keller Sternas Aunt Martha

Production

While working as aprivate investigator,Karl Schanzer mentioned to two of his clients, Gil Lasky and Paul Monka, that he was an out-of-work actor. Struck by the coincidence, they in turn told him that they were interested in producing a movie, and Schanzer pointed them towards director/screenwriterJack Hill,who he had met while working onBlood Bath.At the time Hill had not even the beginnings of a script for the film he wanted to make, but Lasky and Monka were impressed enough with his rough outline to green light the project.

Hill wrote the script withLon Chaney Jr.in mind for the part of Bruno, but though Chaney read and liked the script, his agent said that the maximum fee the producers could offer for the film's lead role - $2,500 - was far too little for an actor of Chaney's prestige, especially since horror films were what he was most renowned for. However, when the producers later sent an inquiry as to whetherJohn Carradine(who was represented by the same agent as Chaney) would be interested in the role, the agent wrote back saying that Chaney would accept the part for the offered $2,500.

Hill wantedMantan Morelandfor the part of the messenger because he believed that in light of Moreland being known for comedic roles, his character being brutally murdered would be a good opening shock to audiences.

The location chosen was the (now historic)Smith Estatein theHighland Parkneighborhood of Los Angeles.

The film was shot between August and September 1964. However, due to the original producers' bankruptcy, the film was not released until December 24, 1967.Spider Babysuffered from poor marketing as well as a series of title changes, being billed alternatively asThe Liver Eaters,Attack of the Liver Eaters,Cannibal Orgy,andThe Maddest Story Ever Told.Although these alternate titles have little or no relation to the plot, the latter two appear in the opening narration by Chaney: "Thiscannibalorgy is strange to behold in the maddest story ever told. "The opening titles of the film also dub itSpider Baby or, The Maddest Story Ever Told.Hill conceived the titleThe Maddest Story Ever Toldas a play on the title of the then-recent filmThe Greatest Story Ever Told.

The cinematographer was Alfred Taylor, who had previously worked on the filmThe Atomic Brain.There was no power available in the Smith Estate when the opening scene was filmed, so Taylor arranged a series of reflectors to guide sunlight into the house and thereby provide lighting for the interior shots.The entire production cost about $65,000, and took only 12 days to shoot inblack and white.The film was released as a double bill withHell's Chosen Few.

Release

Spider Babyfirst opened theatrically inFremont, Ohio,as adouble featurewithThe Wizard of Marson December 8, 1967.It opened inShreveport, Louisiana,the following week, on December 13, 1967.

Critical response

OnRotten Tomatoes,the film holds an approval rating of 94% based on17 reviews,with aweighted averagerating of 7.16/10.Author and film criticLeonard Maltinawarded the film two and a half out of a possible four stars, saying, "At its best it's both scary and funny."Bruce G. Hallenbeck commented in his bookComedy-Horror Films: A Chronological History, 1914-2008that "Spider Babyhas a diseased, sickly atmosphere that anticipates that ofDavid Lynch'sEraserhead(1976), with Alfred Taylor's black and white cinematography contributing images of death and decay that are still disturbing today. "He particularly noted Lon Chaney, Jr.'s performance as being among the actor's best, portraying Bruno as a likable but misguided"enabler"for his wards.

Home media

In 1999, aDVDof the film's originallaserdisctransfer was released, including a cast and crew reunion and a commentary track by Hill.In 2007,Dark Sky Filmsreleased a version featuring Hill's director's cut, a new commentary with co-star Haig and multiple documentaries on the making of the film.In 2015, British home video distributorArrow Filmsreleased a director-approvedBlu-ray/DVD combo special edition of the film.

Legacy

In 2009,Spider Babywriter/director Hill and END Films launched the "officialSpider Babywebsite ", featuring historical information about the film, director/cast biographies, video clips and photo galleries.

Spider Baby The Musical

A rock and rollmusical stage version ofSpider Baby,directed by Helen Acosta, featured libretto and music by Enrique Acosta with lyrics by Enrique Acosta, Lorien Patton, and Helen Acosta.It was originally developed at Empty Space Theatre in Bakersfield in 2004 and had gone through several other developmental workshops.It played smallcommunity theaters,looking for a wider audience. It opened at the Empty Space theater inBakersfield, California,onHalloween2004. In October 2007, it opened inBrookings, Oregon,at the localGrange Hall,and inOrlando, Florida,at the Black Orchid Theater.

In 2009, the musical toured with stops inFresno,Los Angeles,Bakersfield,TehachapiandSan Francisco.A 2010 multi-city tour had stops inLas Vegas,Toronto,and Los Angeles.

The musical played from October 15 to December 5, 2010 at The Lyric Hyperion Theatre Cafe inSilver Lake, Los Angeles.

In 2012, it played inSan Diego,California, at the 10th Avenue Arts Centre as part of Gamercon and Terror at the 10th, respectively.

Thesoundtrackfor the musical version was the final project atBuck Owens' recording studio in Bakersfield.

In music

The film's theme song has beencoveredat least three times: By the bandFantômason their film-score covers albumThe Director's Cut,bycrossover thrashbandThe Accüsedon 1988'sMartha Splatterhead's Maddest Stories Ever Toldas "The Maddest Story Ever Told", and byKid Congo Powers.

In 2023, Waxwork Records released the soundtrack as part of theRob ZombiePresents series. It was pressed on coloured vinyl and housed in special packaging featuring artwork byGraham Humphreys.

Remake

In 2007, independent film producer Tony DiDio began preparing a remake of the film, featuring original director Hill as executive producer, andJeff Broadstreetas director.

Broadstreet stated in an interview, "We're going to stick very closely to the basic story of the original film, and at the same time dig deeper into the backstory of the inbred Merrye family." The new script by Robert Valding "expands on the themes of unconditional love, and also the story elements ofcannibalismand the mutant relatives in the basement ".

It was announced in 2023 that filmmakerDustin Fergusonacquired the rights toSpider Babyand is planning to produce a remake.

Preservation and archival status

In 2012, the film was preserved by theAcademy Film Archive,using the original camera negative. A new fine grain master positive, new duplicate negative and new prints were created, as well as analog and digital soundtrack masters.

External links

• Spider BabyatIMDb
• Spider BabyatAllMovie
• Spider Babyat theTCM Movie Database
• Spider Babyat theAFI Catalog of Feature Films
• Spider Babyofficial website
• Spider Babyis available for free viewing and download at theInternet Archive
• Spider BabyatRotten Tomatoes
• Spider Baby the musical