Very disappointing...

Plenty to Like, Plenty to Dislike

Instant Favorite.

Captivating movie !

It may be unintentional, but the more I think about this movie, the more it makes sense. It pretty much sends up many Gothic horror tropes-a decaying house, along with a decaying, mentally disturbed family, and a sympathetic-and, in this case, empathetic-caretaker who tries, in vain, to protect the family from outsiders, even though the caretaker isn't a family member him or herself. It even parodies the sex and violence used in movies to try and catch an audience's attention, with Virginia's off screen mutilation of the poor telegram messenger via what would have been, in "normal" circumstances, an "innocent" and silly pretense to be a spider. We also have the "auntie" stripping down, for no clear reason, and then being chased around in her black lace underwear just for shocking effect-but the one thing that I really found disturbing was how they more than implied that-once her disturbed distant kinsman, Ralph, "had his way with her," she was anxious for "more."There have been other movies mentioned that this one is similar to. The one that stands out, to me, in similarity, is "Arsenic and Old Lace," Though much darker in tone, like the earlier movie, this one uses humor to soften the troubling subject of criminal insanity addressed in the film. It also reminds me very much of "The Fearless Vampire Killers or Pardon Me, But Your Teeth Are In My Neck," which would be created after this movie, though it would end up released about the same time. That one was an unabashed send up of Hammer Studios' vampire movies, as well as Roger Corman's "Poe" movies for AIP. It even has the "twist" ending like the preceding "Spiderbaby" production.One of the standout moments, to me, is the one straight dramatic moment when-in a discussion between Lon Chaney's character and his troubled charges-you realize that they aren't so nuts that they don't understand that they are different, and they actually communicate a sorrow and regret about their situation.Sadly, not many people remember Lon Chaney, Jr. was nominated for an academy award because he ended up doing so many forgettable movies for various reasons, not the least being his own battle with the bottle. I'm glad that, in this movie, his character is portrayed as displaying an amazing calm in the midst of the insane zoo he was trying to wrangle-and not told to try and recreate Cary Grant's manic performance in the similar role in "Arsenic and Old Lace." I think he did a good job with the part.They really didn't explain much about the kid's dad. He obviously must not have suffered the genetic aberration himself, but gambled that he would not pass it on to his own offspring-a gamble he obviously lost. Since they also had "crazies" in the basement, I wonder if they were his siblings? If all you want is a "popcorn" movie, I think this one works just fine for that. If you're looking for Ingmar Bergman, then you should pass on this one. Also, though I know kids nowadays aren't "protected" from certain subjects like we oldies were, as a parent I would think about the implied cannibalism and rape/sadomasochism in the film before letting a kid watch this. A really sensitive kid might pick up on the implied cruelty amidst the silliness.

It's hard not to at least like the family living in the strange old house in this movie, despite then being the antagonists. Two adolescent sisters and their older brother Ralph live with their caretaker Bruno who used to be the family chauffeur until the death of the parents. All three kids suffer from a disease inherited from the inbreeding in their family which causes their mental stability to regress as they get older. Ralph is an overgrown and mute adult man with the mind of a child who enjoys hiding in the dumbwaiter. His sister Virginia has an obsession with spiders; she frequently enjoys "playing spider" with strangers and neighbors, which involves killing them, and she collects whatever spiders she can find in the basement. the other sibling, Elizabeth, is a very hostile teenager who often causes trouble. Bruno loves them; he knows the good sides of the three kids but knows that outsiders would only see them as freaks, so he takes care of them and tries his best to isolate them from people. One day a letter arrives which warns of the coming of the children's estranged aunt, uncle and a sleazy lawyer. When they show up they immediately suggest that the children should be institutionalized, but Bruno protests that it would terrify them to leave home. For dinner the guests, without realizing it, are eating garden weeds, some wizzled up old mushrooms and a stray cat that Ralph caught and killed. Bruno tells the guests that it's a rabbit. When the guests stay the night, things only get worse as murders begin to take place, and more gruesome family secrets are discovered that lead Bruno to the only choice he has left to protect the children.It really makes you question whether the children are the real antagonists or if the ill-fated guests with bad intentions are the bad people. I'd say Bruno was my favorite character; he was a character with a kind and caring personality but conflicting choices to make. The acting for all the characters was really good, and the film had a very shocking conclusion... maybe there'll be more "spider babies" out there... The film also had this very messed up but funny cartoon at the beginning, accompanied by a weird little song and title credits. If you're a fan of classic horror, this is definitely worth your time, I loved it!

While many call this a "Black Comedy" do not expect anything light-hearted. Anything you might want to call funny is not because of humor--intended or unintended--but from sheer madness.Do not expect gore. The horrific things are kept just off screen or very effectively implied just before a scene change.Do expect an incredibly macabre tragedy filled with well-developed characters, quite good acting and an excellent pace. With the slightest imagination it is every bit a cringe-worthy (perhaps even moreso) than the FX driven, gore-filled movies that many have come to expect as the only way to demonstrate "horror".

One of the strangest, most original movies to come out of the 1960s. Imitated many times since but never duplicated. A great dark comedy with some genuinely eerie and creepy moments. All of the Merrye kids were fascinating to watch but the best was Virginia, excellently played by Jill Banner. How this woman never became a star is beyond me. Beverly Washburn and Sid Haig are the other kids and they turn in great weirdo performances as well. Legendary horror actor Lon Chaney Jr., by this time losing the battle to his personal demons, gives the last great role of his career. There's even a wolfman reference! Mantan Moreland has a brief but memorable role early on. Oh, and the very sexy Carol Ohmart parades around in her underwear. This is a must-see for everybody. A cult classic that's been very influential in the decades since it was made. Check it out!