First on the list: SPIDER BABY. This black and white oddity from 1967 features the last starring role of Lon Chaney, Jr. Here's a man whose career has spanned the critically acclaimed (OF MICE AND MEN) to the iconic (THE WOLF MAN) and everything inbetween, including B-movies that are far more embarrassing than this one. In this flick, it looks like Chaney's in on the joke and happy to be there, instead of desperate or doing someone a favor. So that's nice.
But what's it about? Well… good question. I guess it's about this family the lives in this big old house out in the middle of nowhere. The family is stricken with a disease that makes them remain in a child-like mental state even as their bodies grow. So, for instance, cult movie favorite Sid Haig plays a baby, even though he's his usual physically imposing self. Chaney plays the man entrusted to take care of them, and spends most of the movie attempting to prevent some rich relatives from taking over the property.
One of the kids, the titular Spider Baby (Jill Banner) likes to play a game where she traps innocent passers by, like the mailman (Mantan Moreland!), in her makeshift web and then stabs them to death.
Even though this all sounds gross and disturbing, the movie's pretty funny, and you have to wonder if the minds behind THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW and THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE were fans. We know Joe Dante's a fan, and I can see where he was probably thinking about this movie when he made THE BURBS. The movie was directed by Jack Hill, who went on to become an exploitation king, directing the likes of COFFY (also starring Sid Haig).
All in all, this is a genuine oddity that also happens to be entertaining and well made. I'm glad Joe Dante brought it to my attention.
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