Spider Baby (1967) in Color — Starring Lon Chaney Jr. & Carol Ohmart

Spider Baby (1967) — Buy This Classic in Color

Discover Spider Baby: or, the Maddest Story Ever Told, the 1967 comedy horror film written and directed by Jack Hill and starring Lon Chaney Jr., now available as a professionally colorized version. At the decaying Merrye House, feared by locals, the Merrye children Ralph, Virginia, and Elizabeth have lived in seclusion with the family chauffeur Bruno 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, to regress down the evolutionary ladder mentally and physically. They exhibit a playful innocence well before their years, mixed with feral madness. When distant relatives arrive to claim the property as rightful heirs, the situation spirals into chaos and violence. This cult classic comedy horror film combines dark humor with genuine horror, capturing the unique atmosphere of 1960s exploitation cinema. Shot on location at the historic Smith Estate in Highland Park, Los Angeles, the film features Lon Chaney Jr. in one of his final performances as the devoted caretaker Bruno. Own this cult classic movie in color as a DRM-free MP4 digital download for just €15.00.

Plot Summary

At the decaying Merrye House, feared by locals, the Merrye children Ralph, Virginia, and Elizabeth have lived in seclusion with the family chauffeur Bruno 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, to regress down the evolutionary ladder mentally and physically. They exhibit a playful innocence well before their years, mixed with feral madness. Ralph is a sexually advanced, but mentally deficient simpleton who moves through the house via the dumb-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 darker impulses.

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 are intellectually disabled and 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, implying the early stages of the syndrome.

Cast & Crew

Director: Jack Hill

Stars: Lon Chaney Jr., Jill Banner, Carol Ohmart, Quinn Redeker, Beverly Washburn, Sid Haig, Mary Mitchel, Karl Schanzer, Mantan Moreland

Why Buy This Classic in Color?

Spider Baby was originally filmed in black and white, with cinematography that captured the gothic atmosphere of the decaying Merrye House and the surreal quality of the children’s regression. This professionally colorized restoration enhances every scene with frame-by-frame precision, from the eerie interior shots of the mansion to the disturbing games of “spider” that Virginia plays with her victims. The colorized version reveals new visual richness in the film’s settings, where the period-accurate 1960s clothing, the decaying Victorian mansion, and the wooded exterior gain authenticity that transports viewers to the world of cult horror cinema. Lon Chaney Jr.’s legendary screen presence gains additional dimension in color, his performance conveying both the gentle devotion of Bruno to his charges and the tragic inevitability of their fate. The film’s unique blend of comedy and horror becomes even more striking in color, highlighting the contrast between the children’s playful innocence and their violent impulses. The iconic Smith Estate location, now a historic landmark, gains new visual depth as color reveals the architectural details and atmospheric lighting that made this location perfect for the film’s gothic horror aesthetic. Now also available in colour.

Buy Spider Baby in color today for just €15.00. Your DRM-free MP4 download is available for instant access.

Historical Significance

Released in 1967, Spider Baby represents a unique entry in 1960s American cinema, blending comedy and horror in a way that anticipated later cult classics. Written and directed by Jack Hill, the film was shot in just 12 days on a budget of $65,000 at the historic Smith Estate in Highland Park, Los Angeles. Despite its modest production values, the film has achieved cult status for its original premise, memorable performances, and distinctive atmosphere. The film’s release was delayed for three years due to the original producers’ bankruptcy, and it suffered from poor marketing and multiple title changes, including The Liver Eaters, Attack of the Liver Eaters, Cannibal Orgy, and The Maddest Story Ever Told.

Spider Baby features Lon Chaney Jr. in one of his final film performances, bringing his legendary presence to the role of Bruno, the devoted caretaker of the troubled Merrye children. Chaney’s performance adds gravitas to the film, his character representing the tragic figure caught between his duty to protect the children and the recognition that their condition makes them dangerous. The film also features early performances from Sid Haig as Ralph Merrye, showcasing the actor who would become a horror icon in later decades.

The film’s concept of “Merrye Syndrome” – a genetic condition causing evolutionary regression – reflects 1960s anxieties about genetics, heredity, and the nature of humanity. The Merrye children’s combination of childlike innocence and violent impulses speaks to broader cultural fears about the breakdown of social norms and the thin veneer of civilization. The film’s setting in a decaying Victorian mansion, isolated from modern society, creates a microcosm where these fears can play out without external intervention.

Spider Baby has developed a significant cult following over the decades, inspiring a musical adaptation, multiple soundtrack releases, and plans for remakes. The film was preserved by the Academy Film Archive in 2012, ensuring its survival for future generations. Through modern colorization, this cult classic reaches new audiences who can appreciate its unique blend of horror and comedy, its place in 1960s exploitation cinema, and its influence on later horror films. Now also available en couleur.

Technical Details

• Format: MP4 / MKV digital download
• Resolution: HD 720p
• Colorized: Professionally colorized from original black and white
• Audio: English original mono
• Runtime: 80 minutes
• DRM-free: Yes — watch on any device
• Instant download: Available immediately after purchase
• Price: €15.00

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Movie-Specific Questions

Q: Who stars in Spider Baby?
A: Lon Chaney Jr. stars as Bruno, with supporting performances by Jill Banner, Carol Ohmart, Quinn Redeker, Beverly Washburn, Sid Haig, Mary Mitchel, Karl Schanzer, and Mantan Moreland.

Q: Is Spider Baby a horror film?
A: Yes, Spider Baby is a comedy horror film that blends dark humor with genuine horror elements.

Q: What is the plot of Spider Baby?
A: Three siblings with a genetic condition causing them to regress mentally and physically live in seclusion with their caretaker. When distant relatives arrive to claim their property, chaos and violence ensue.

Digital Download Questions

Q: What format is the download?
A: The film is delivered as MP4 and MKV files that play on virtually any device.

Q: Is there DRM on the file?
A: No. The download is completely DRM-free so you can watch it on any device without restrictions.

Q: How quickly can I watch after purchase?
A: Your download link is available instantly after payment, so you can start watching within minutes.

Related Colorized Classics

• Night of the Living Dead (1968) in Color —
• Carnival of Souls (1962)
• House on Haunted Hill (1959)
• The Tingler (1959)
• The Last Man on Earth (1964)
• The Flying Deuces (1939)
• Psycho (1960) Full Movie in Color —