Although Jack Hill is probably best remembered for giving filmdom those atrocious blaxploitation flicks with the top-heavy Pam Grier, SPIDER BABY is without question his finest effort. This is, just like COFFY, cult all the way, but at least this is entertaining.
The film concerns a leech of a woman (Carol Ohmart) who ventures out to Merrye Mansion in order to swindle distance relatives out of their fortune. Tagging along are her good-intentioned brother (Quinn Redeker), sleazy pint-sized lawyer (Karl Schanzer) and the lawyer's sexy assistant (Mary Mitchel). These four unsuspecting folks are in for the night of their lives when they are introduced to the eccentric, murderous Merrye clan.
Ohmart is initially frightened off the premises by Sid Haig's mentally handicapped Ralph who she mistakes for a mutated baboon. But Ralph is the least of their troubles. The two Merrye girls, Elizabeth (Beverly Washburn) and Virginia (Jill Banner) make Ralph seem like a harmless little oddity. Twitchy-eyed Elizabeth knows the interlopers are here to change their lifestyle so she concocts plans to remove them from their life with the help of her deranged sister Virginia whose favorite game is playing spider. The odd little nymph also likes eating spiders.
STORY: $$$$ (This is kind of a precursor to Texas CHANISAW MASSACRE with the eccentric, murderous isolated country bumpkin clan, but while TCM had a skimpy screenplay--just chainsaw mayhem and Marilyn Burns running around for half an hour--SPIDER BABY tells an extraordinary tale. Lon Chaney Jr. plays the family's caretaker who looks after the kids since their father is dead, but he is well aware of their sinister machinations. He loves them regardless because they know no other way. Lon constantly chastises Elizabeth for "hating" things. Also, most movies that came after this film, with essentially the same premise, have stock characters that you can't really empathize with: lost, pot-smoking teens or sadistic serial killers. The Merrye Family can't help what they have become and Ohmart and Redeker are more interesting characters than a group of stupid city teens misplaced in the backwoods).
ACTING: $$$$ (Yes, this is a B-film but the acting is first rate. The great character actor Sid Haig is great in the non-speaking role of Ralph. The scene where the weasel lawyer catches him in the kitchen, opening a secret door, was a terrific bit of acting on Sid's part. Washburn and Banner both shine as demented teenage sisters. Washbirn masters the twitchy-eye routine while Banner is effectively creepy as Virginia. When we first meet her she plays spider with a poor delivery man. Karl Schenzer is a treat as the lawyer and Mary Mitchel is great as his assistant. During her dinner table scene she proves that she is more than just a pretty face. Lon Chaney is at his heartfelt best as Bruno the family caretaker. Although he is essentially a simple-minded man, he knows what's best and that love doesn't conquer all. Quinn Redeker gives some great line readings, especially during the summation. He does his best Ward Cleaver impression as the proper 1960s, clean-cut young man. And Carol Ohmart is amazing in her role. She slam dunks the greedy, self-oriented social climber role here. You'll love to hate her as much as you'll like her brother Redeker--they are polar opposites).
NUDITY: None (However, sexuality is in large supply. Jill Banner's spider game becomes a little arousing later on when she ties up Redeker in her web. Cleavage is in large supply here. Mary Mitchel has her blouse all but ripped off and if you thought Carol Ohmart looked good in THE HOUSE ON HAUNTED HILL, then do yourself a favor and check this film out. A little past midway through the film she strips down to show off her sexy black lingerie number as she tries on what must be the Merrye children's aunts old clothes. Miss Ohmart's little black bra has trouble containing her chest and once she removes her outer wear she remains in her lingerie number the rest of the film. had this been made a few years later, I'm certain the filmmakers would have demanded some bare breast shots of Ohmart--probably near the end when she falls into the pit. But Carol proves you don't need nudity to be extraordinarily sexy).
The film concerns a leech of a woman (Carol Ohmart) who ventures out to Merrye Mansion in order to swindle distance relatives out of their fortune. Tagging along are her good-intentioned brother (Quinn Redeker), sleazy pint-sized lawyer (Karl Schanzer) and the lawyer's sexy assistant (Mary Mitchel). These four unsuspecting folks are in for the night of their lives when they are introduced to the eccentric, murderous Merrye clan.
Ohmart is initially frightened off the premises by Sid Haig's mentally handicapped Ralph who she mistakes for a mutated baboon. But Ralph is the least of their troubles. The two Merrye girls, Elizabeth (Beverly Washburn) and Virginia (Jill Banner) make Ralph seem like a harmless little oddity. Twitchy-eyed Elizabeth knows the interlopers are here to change their lifestyle so she concocts plans to remove them from their life with the help of her deranged sister Virginia whose favorite game is playing spider. The odd little nymph also likes eating spiders.
STORY: $$$$ (This is kind of a precursor to Texas CHANISAW MASSACRE with the eccentric, murderous isolated country bumpkin clan, but while TCM had a skimpy screenplay--just chainsaw mayhem and Marilyn Burns running around for half an hour--SPIDER BABY tells an extraordinary tale. Lon Chaney Jr. plays the family's caretaker who looks after the kids since their father is dead, but he is well aware of their sinister machinations. He loves them regardless because they know no other way. Lon constantly chastises Elizabeth for "hating" things. Also, most movies that came after this film, with essentially the same premise, have stock characters that you can't really empathize with: lost, pot-smoking teens or sadistic serial killers. The Merrye Family can't help what they have become and Ohmart and Redeker are more interesting characters than a group of stupid city teens misplaced in the backwoods).
ACTING: $$$$ (Yes, this is a B-film but the acting is first rate. The great character actor Sid Haig is great in the non-speaking role of Ralph. The scene where the weasel lawyer catches him in the kitchen, opening a secret door, was a terrific bit of acting on Sid's part. Washburn and Banner both shine as demented teenage sisters. Washbirn masters the twitchy-eye routine while Banner is effectively creepy as Virginia. When we first meet her she plays spider with a poor delivery man. Karl Schenzer is a treat as the lawyer and Mary Mitchel is great as his assistant. During her dinner table scene she proves that she is more than just a pretty face. Lon Chaney is at his heartfelt best as Bruno the family caretaker. Although he is essentially a simple-minded man, he knows what's best and that love doesn't conquer all. Quinn Redeker gives some great line readings, especially during the summation. He does his best Ward Cleaver impression as the proper 1960s, clean-cut young man. And Carol Ohmart is amazing in her role. She slam dunks the greedy, self-oriented social climber role here. You'll love to hate her as much as you'll like her brother Redeker--they are polar opposites).
NUDITY: None (However, sexuality is in large supply. Jill Banner's spider game becomes a little arousing later on when she ties up Redeker in her web. Cleavage is in large supply here. Mary Mitchel has her blouse all but ripped off and if you thought Carol Ohmart looked good in THE HOUSE ON HAUNTED HILL, then do yourself a favor and check this film out. A little past midway through the film she strips down to show off her sexy black lingerie number as she tries on what must be the Merrye children's aunts old clothes. Miss Ohmart's little black bra has trouble containing her chest and once she removes her outer wear she remains in her lingerie number the rest of the film. had this been made a few years later, I'm certain the filmmakers would have demanded some bare breast shots of Ohmart--probably near the end when she falls into the pit. But Carol proves you don't need nudity to be extraordinarily sexy).