Originally titled CANNIABAL ORGY or THE MADDEST STORY EVER TOLD, SPIDER BABY was filmed over the course of 12 days in 1964. When the film's producers, Paul Monka and Gil Lasky, found themselves in financial trouble and forced into bankruptcy, the project was shelved until several years later, in 1968, when it briefly hit the drive-in circuit under the title SPIDER BABY and later, THE LIVER EATERS. Bootleg VHS tapes where available shortly after the initial home video boom hit, but they were of sketchy quality and it would be years before a serviceable release would become easily assessable. In 1999, Image Entertainment released SPIDER BABY on DVD with several welcomed extra features, including eight minutes of lost footage that had been cut from the picture's second reel. While fans rejoiced at the opportunity to finally get their hands on an official release, the picture quality suffered from frequent spots of grain, occasional jumps and had some contrast issues. Thankfully, Dark Sky Films, under the personal supervision of writer-director Jack Hill, have amassed what is destined to become the definitive DVD release of SPIDER BABY.

Lon Chaney Jr., in one of his last performances, plays gentle and kind-hearted chauffeur Bruno, caretaker of the three Merrye children and the Merrye family estate. Virginia (Jill Banner), Elizabeth (Beverly Washburn) and Ralph Merrye (Sid Haig) all suffer from a very rare, deteriorating condition called Merrye Syndrome. Named so because the only known carriers are members of the Merrye Family. This peculiar disease presents itself as a regression of one's mental and physical faculties, with symptoms progressing rapidly as the carrier ages, eventually turning them into a cannibalistic "pre-human." Bruno has taken great care to follow his masters’ wishes and guards the children from an outside world that does not easily understand or accept their special needs. However, their solitary existence is thrown into jeopardy as a letter, delivered by Mantan Moreland (KING OF THE ZOMBIES), foretells of the impeding arrival of several distant and unwanted relatives. Accompanied by their legal representation, Mr. Schlocker (Karl Schanzer) and his assistant Ann (Mary Mitchel), Uncle Peter (Quinn Redeker) and Aunt Emily (Carol Ohmart) arrive at the Merrye family home with every intention of taking over full custody of the Merrye children, and any inheritance that may come with them. Despite his best efforts, Bruno succumbs to his house guests' request to stay the night, much to the delight of Virginia, whose game of “Spider” is in need of new participants willing to play the part of “bug.”

Jack Hill is one of many talented filmmakers that got their start under the watchful eye of Roger Corman. From his first assignments, filming additional scenes to fill out the running time of foreign product purchased for U.S. release, he would later direct some of cult cinema's most notorious films, such as COFFY, THE BIG DOLL HOUSE and SWITCHBLADE SISTERS. His first feature film is just as infamous and is one of the few horror comedies that gets it right. SPIDER BABY is a perfect blend of giggle inducing sight gags and dialogue, backed against scenes that are genuinely eerie. The film's odd nature and mood are greatly enhanced by a score from frequent Roger Corman composer, Ronald Stein, whose collaboration with Lon Chaney Jr. provide the films opening song. Ronald was one of several of the film's participants who where drawn to the project's unique story, which was unlike anything they had ever seen before. Lon Chaney was in fact so enamored by the script that he lowered his fee to be a part of the production, once he got word that the part was going to be offered to John Carradine.

And thank goodness he did, as Lon Chaney Jr. gives a memorable and endearing performance as Bruno, a loyal employee who has been left to take care of the Merrye family's youngest offspring. Chaney comes across as genuine and likable, and gets one of the best laughs in a scene where he channels his past theatrical success, THE WOLF MAN. Jill Banner and Beverly Washburn are both devilishly effective as the Merrye sisters, with Jill’s performance as Virginia being principally creepy. Sid Haig’s portrayal as Ralph, the oldest sibling, is a feat to admire as he is one of the most memorable characters, despite his dialogue consisting of little more than a moaning “ie ie ie.” Quinn Redeker’s Uncle Peter could best be described as a “square”, but despite his being far from hip, he rolls with the punches, never condescending to his unusual relatives and in doing so, is one of the few characters who make it through to see the end credits. Filled with memorable scenes and an eccentric cast of characters, no one had experienced a film like SPIDER BABY upon its initial release, and few modern films have come close to capturing the pitch-perfect blend of both horror and comedy elements since.

Dark Sky Films' new anamorphic DVD transfer, restored in High Definition from the original 35mm negative, is virtually flawless. Presented as a “Director Cut” with portions of the previously mentioned eight minutes of cut footage intact, the film is featured in its original 1.66:1 ratio. Picture quality is clear with the black and white compositions of cinematographer Alfred Taylor coming through vivid and crisp. The audio is presented in a 2.0 mono track and has no noticeable errors. Optional English subtitles are also included.

A newly recorded audio commentary track features Jack Hill and Sid Haig reminiscing about the shoot and the fellow actors and crew. It is quite enjoyable (as are all of Mr. Hill's commentaries) and provides a number of interesting behind-the-scenes revelations. For instance, the ear that Virginia slices off of Mantan Moreland at the very beginning of the film was in fact a prosthetic, which belonged to a crew member, painted to match Mantan's skin tone. "The Hatching of Spider Baby" is a 30-minute documentary that covers the film from its inception to its present day cult status, and is one of several featurettes created exclusively for this release. "Spider Stravinsky: The Cinema Sounds of Ronald Stein" is fitting tribute to the man who contributed to the vast majority of Roger Corman’s productions throughout the late 1950s and well into the 1970s. "The Merrye House Revisited" follows filmmaker Elijah Drenner as he takes Jack Hill out on location, back to the house that was used as the Merrye family mansion. The Alternate “Cannibal Orgy” title sequence and an extended scene, featuring the Merrye children's initial introduction to their distant kin, is also included. An extensive still gallery rounds out the special features.