Spider Baby |
Starring: Lon Chaney Jr., Carol Ohmart, Quinn K. Redeker, Sid Haig Directed: Jack Hill Release Date: June 9, 2015 Run Time: 84 Minutes Format: Blu-Ray Distributor: Arrow Video / MVDvisuals | ||
Film Synopsis |
The credits dub this “the maddest story ever told”, a promise that’s well on the way to being fulfilled in the opening scene alone, when Virginia traps and kills a hapless deliveryman in her makeshift web. She’s one of three siblings who suffer from a unique genetic disorder that causes them to regress back to childhood, while retaining the physical strength and sexual maturity of adults.
Lon Chaney Jr gave one of his most memorable late performances as Bruno, their guardian and protector, who has managed to cover up their crimes until two distant relatives lay claim to their house. When they insist on moving in, Bruno has to cross his fingers and hope that the ‘children’ behave towards their new guests…
This was the first solo feature by Jack Hill, whom Quentin Tarantino dubbed “the Howard Hawks of exploitation filmmaking”, and it remains one of his wildest and weirdest. – Arrow Video
Audio/Video |
Audio Audio Language: English The Sound Quality is pretty good for Mono with no distortions but at times seems thin. |
Picture Quality Disc Format: Blu-Ray The Picture Quality is very sharp for Black and White with great details. The Blacks and Whites are at good levels and the film also has all its grain with some dirt and debris that comes with film and makes me know that I’m watching a movie that was shot on film. |
Note: Equipment used to watch the film can be found below
Theatrical release Date: December 24, 1967 (USA) |
Blu-Ray Disc release Date: June 9, 2015 (USA) |
Extras |
- High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) and Standard Definition DVD presentation of the main feature, available in the UK for the first time
- Original 2.0 Mono Audio (Uncompressed PCM on the Blu-ray)
- High Definition transfer of the feature supervised and approved by director Jack Hill
- English SDH subtitles for deaf and hearing impaired
- Audio commentary featuring Jack Hill and star Sid Haig
- Panel discussion from The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences FILM-TO-FILM Festival, recorded September 2012, featuring Jack Hill and stars Quinn K. Redeker and Beverly Washburn
- The Hatching of Spider Baby – Interviews with Jack Hill, Sid Haig, star Mary Mitchel, fan Joe Dante and more on the making of the film
- Spider Stravinsky: The Cinema Sounds of Ronald Stein – The composer of ‘The Terror’ and ‘Attack of the 50 Foot Woman’ among others is remembered by Harlene Stein, Jack Hill, American Cinematheque’s Chris D. and others
- The Merrye House Revisited – Jack Hill revisits the original house that was used as the main location in the film
- Alternate opening title sequence
- Extended scene
- Original Trailer
- Gallery of behind-the-scenes images
- The Host (1960) – Jack Hill’s early short film featuring Sid Haig in his first starring role [30 mins]
- Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Graham Humphreys
- Collector’s booklet featuring writing on the film by artist and writer Stephen R. Bissette, and an extensive article re-printed from FilmFax: The Magazine of Unusual Film and Television featuring interviews with the cast and crew, illustrated with original stills and artwork
My Thoughts |
Spider Baby is horror film that brings a refresh to good movie viewing for me. The Movie feels like it’s a 60’s TV show with its acting and Upbeat score, comedic tones at times and I don’t mean that in a bad way. That’s just vibe it gave me with the good Ol’ Mail man delivering a Letter to house with a happy like score wrapped around the film. Until he is brutally murdered by a child playing a game called spider.
Spider Baby is about a family who in some ways are like the Munsters and The Adam Family but with more gore and death that are visited by 2 couples and a lawyer who want to take the house and children. Aaannnd of course they don’t know what they are in for. The film is pretty crazy when it comes to the minds and mentality / Facial expressions of the kids as they are mentally Ill or should I Quote “Retarded” but also at times happy and playful also playful when it comes to Knives. The kids are pretty creepy and there are other family members in this house, but I want to leave those for you to find out.
Overall the film was a fun watch, not scary but crazy at times. I loved the tone and overall feel of the movie shot in the 60’s with a fun score. No blood but we get a few screams, a missing ear along with a few spiders and an explosion of an ending.
With that said I really enjoyed the viewing as it has refreshed my viewing pleasures from all the blockbusters and CGI popcorn flicks as of late. I give this movie a 4.5 out of 5 and you have to put this in your collection with its sharp Picture Quality on Blu-Ray and all of that.
Rating – 5 Star System |
Film: PQ: Sound: |
Trailer |
Buy Film |
Blu-Ray $25.29 | ||
Prices are posted at time of review and most likely before release. Prices will or could have changed after this review. |
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This Film was Played on the listed Equipment below |