Greetings, Boils & Ghouls...
...welcome to 'Day Twenty-Six' of "Awesome Horror Streams for Hallowe'en Screams on Roku" in which I will suggest my top picks of the fright flicks from the carefully curated catalogue of macabre movies available via the 'Shudder UK' streaming service - any of which can then be streamed to your television using the magic of Roku player - so, let's dim the lights... and prepare for some frights! :-O
If you read my Hallowe'en blogathon preview - FOUND HERE - published on 30th September, then you will know that I plan to post one Hallowe'en / Horror related article every day, throughout the month of October, each featuring one horror movie from the current 'Shudder UK' content library. With recommendations for thirty-one of the best fright flicks I can find, by the end of the month, this means you should have plenty of great choices for your macabre movie viewing as we count down the days to Hallowe'en... as well as ensuring some top-notch cinematic scares come October 31st! ;-)
If you read my Hallowe'en blogathon preview - FOUND HERE - published on 30th September, then you will know that I plan to post one Hallowe'en / Horror related article every day, throughout the month of October, each featuring one horror movie from the current 'Shudder UK' content library. With recommendations for thirty-one of the best fright flicks I can find, by the end of the month, this means you should have plenty of great choices for your macabre movie viewing as we count down the days to Hallowe'en... as well as ensuring some top-notch cinematic scares come October 31st! ;-)
Jill Banner and Beverly Washburn in "Spider Baby" (1967)
PHOTO CREDIT: IMDb.com
For my twenty-sixth instalment in this series of posts I'm going to suggest another independent movie from the United States but, this time, directed by Jack Hill and first released in 1967. The film was based on a screenplay which was also written by the director, and the production had a working title of "Cannibal Orgy or, The Maddest Story Ever Told"... hence, the eventual (equally lengthy) title by which the film is also known: "Spider Baby or, The Maddest Story Ever Told" but, for the sake of brevity (unlike me, I know!) I'm going to stick with "Spider Baby", which was the title used in most countries around the world. Interestingly, the original working title was (nevertheless) incorporated into the theme song for the movie and, if you listen carefully, you will hear that it culminates with a line which goes: "This cannibal orgy is strange to behold and the maddest story ever told"! Anyway, the film is set in a dilapidated rural mansion, wherein lives the last generation of a degenerate, inbred family: Ralph Merrye (Sid Haig) plus his sisters Virginia Merrye (Jill Banner) and Elizabeth Merrye (Beverly Washburn). They all inherited a rare genetic malady that causes victims to mentally regress to a condition of "pre-human savagery and cannibalism", from the age of 10 or so, as they physically develop. The family chauffeur, Bruno (Lon Chaney Jr.), looks out for all of them and covers up their indiscretions. Things take a turn for the worse when some greedy distant relatives arrive with their lawyer, to dispossess the Merrye family of its home, and that's when the trouble really begins! :-O
If you haven't seen the film before, here is a brief taster in the shape of a video trailer for this cult hit comedy horror, courtesy of a video uploaded by 'Media Graveyard' to their 'YouTube' channel:-
If you'd like to know more... there's a full list of the cast & credits on the Internet Movie Database (IMDB) listing for "Spider Baby" (1967), FOUND HERE, which also includes a full storyline / plot summary as well as box office stats, technical specs & much more. For die-hard fans, there's even more info to be had from the Wikipedia Page for Jack Hill's directorial debut "Spider Baby" (1967) which is available VIA THIS LINK, and may help to fuel your appetite for (yet) another screening. Although, if you're as much a fan of this dark comedy horror film as I am, or enjoy twisted 'B-Movie' cult classics in general, it probably won't take too much persuading for you to watch this again! ;-)
Meanwhile, for that full cinema experience, here's a few more film posters & other related images movie-goers in 1967 (and more recently) would have encountered, depending on their location:
"Spider Baby" (1967) [USA - Insert Poster]
PHOTO CREDIT: The Telltale Mind
If you haven't seen the film before, here is a brief taster in the shape of a video trailer for this cult hit comedy horror, courtesy of a video uploaded by 'Media Graveyard' to their 'YouTube' channel:-
If you'd like to know more... there's a full list of the cast & credits on the Internet Movie Database (IMDB) listing for "Spider Baby" (1967), FOUND HERE, which also includes a full storyline / plot summary as well as box office stats, technical specs & much more. For die-hard fans, there's even more info to be had from the Wikipedia Page for Jack Hill's directorial debut "Spider Baby" (1967) which is available VIA THIS LINK, and may help to fuel your appetite for (yet) another screening. Although, if you're as much a fan of this dark comedy horror film as I am, or enjoy twisted 'B-Movie' cult classics in general, it probably won't take too much persuading for you to watch this again! ;-)
Jill Banner as 'Virginia Merrye' in "Spider Baby" (1967)
PHOTO CREDIT: IMDb.com
Anyway... you probably guessed already but, if not, this film (like the others from this series of posts) is also available via the 'Shudder' streaming service and can be easily viewed on any Roku device via their dedicated channel (app) for these streaming media players. Another opportunity for UK viewers to see "Spider Baby" (1967) via subscription is the free-to-stream option for 'Prime Video' members through 'Amazon Video' which can again be enjoyed on Roku through the 'Amazon Video' channel. If you're not a 'Prime' member, and don't have/want a subscription to 'Shudder' free or otherwise, then I would suggest looking for alternatives online, because there may be some free sources that offer file formats compatible with Roku. However, as my idea for this month-long blogathon was to suggest thirty-one Hallowe'en / Horror themed movies on 'Shudder UK', I recommend streaming it there! ;-)
If you haven't already added it to your channel selection, you will find "Shudder" listed among the "Film & TV" channels in the "Official" Roku UK Channel Store. You can easily install it on your Roku by navigating to the built-in 'Channel Store' (accessed via "Streaming Channels" from the home screen on your Roku device) and scrolling through the options until you see the channel icon (pictured above). It's completely FREE-TO-ADD so, once you've located it in the list of channels, just click the "OK" button on your Roku remote to select it and then click "OK" again where it says 'Add channel' to install it on your Roku player(s). Having done that, it's simply a case of launching the channel via the 'Go to channel' option and navigating the on-screen menu to log-in (if you already have an account, but haven't yet done so) or start your free trial (if you are new to the service) and, once you see 'Shudder TV' playing on the screen, just push the "DOWN" arrow on your Roku remote to get to the main menu... from where you can 'Search' for "Spider Baby", and then press 'OK' on your remote to select and 'Play' this psychological thriller which, for the record, runs to 1h 21mins.
LINK TO WATCH 'Spider Baby' (1967) VIA THE 'SHUDDER UK' WEBSITE
Unfortunately for Roku users in the USA, this film is (currently) not available for streaming via the 'Shudder' service in the United States... although, there is an opportunity to watch it via subscription to 'Fandor' as well as a free-to-stream option (ad-supported) via 'TubiTV', plus the additional choice of renting Jack Hill's "Spider Baby" (1967) for USD $2.99 (SD) from 'Vudu' and then watching it on your TV through their Roku channel. Meanwhile, the good news for Canadian streamers is that, just like in the UK, this film can also be streamed via the 'Shudder' subscription service. Additionally, the same alternatives of watching via subscription to 'Fandor' as well as (ad-supported) through 'TubiTV' also apply to Canadians, just as they do in the United States. However, should you prefer to rent this film (rather than the alternatives) there are no Roku-compatible services which provide rental options for streaming this movie in Canada. That said, as suggested previously for UK Roku users, there could well be one or two other streaming resources you can use, so it might be best to check for free alternatives online if you're not eligible for a 'Shudder' trial. Should you get stuck, message me via Twitter: @ukrokuchannels and I'll try to sort out a link so you can stream it for free on Roku! ;-)
Sid Haig as 'Ralph Merrye' in "Spider Baby" (1967)
PHOTO CREDIT: IMDb.com
PHOTO CREDIT: IMDb.com
"Spider Baby" (1967) [USA Poster]
PHOTO CREDIT: The Telltale Mind
"Spider Baby" (1967) [Special Screening Poster - Austin, TX]
PHOTO CREDIT: The Oscars
"Spider Baby" (1967) [DVD - Front Cover]
PHOTO CREDIT: Horrorpedia
"Spider Baby" (1967) [Lobby Card #1]
PHOTO CREDIT: Twitter
"Spider Baby" (1967) [Arrow Video Blu-Ray Cover]
PHOTO CREDIT: Amazon.com
"Spider Baby" (1967) [Lobby Card #2]
PHOTO CREDIT: Twitter
Finally, to round-off the twenty-sixth instalment in my month-long blogathon on 'Day Twenty-Six' for this edition of 'Countdown To Halloween', here's more FRIGHTENINGLY FUN FILM FACTS... for example: did you know that there was a wait of 33 years before this film was released to cinemas in the UK? Or, that horror icon & star of the film, Lon Chaney Jr., sings the film's quirky theme song? Or, that director Jack Hill accompanied actress Carol Ohmart on a trip to Frederick's of Hollywood, where she personally picked out the sexy wardrobe which she dons in the latter half of the film!?! :-O
Carol Ohmart as 'Emily Howe' in "Spider Baby" (1967)
PHOTO CREDIT: IMDb.com
Other interesting tidbits of trivia include how during the twelve days of filming (in August of 1964) many of those 12 days were extremely hot and the filming took place on a small stage with no air conditioning, other than a few fans. Consequently, Lon Chaney Jr. was frequently to be seen dripping with sweat at the end of each take. Apparently, buckets of iced water were brought in, so that Chaney could be mopped down with a cold, wet towel after each take! Also, the film was known to have had a budget of $60,000 USD. It is said that Lon Chaney Jr. was paid a flat fee of $2,500 USD for his part in the movie, while each of the other actors were paid $100 USD per day. Coincidentally, the price of the actors' salaries was the same as the daily rental charge for the Duesenberg, driven by Bruno! :-O
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Anyhow, that's all I've got time for today... but do remember to come back again tomorrow, for my next macabre movie recommendation from the 'Shudder UK' streaming library, when I will suggest a film for 'Day Twenty-Seven' of "Awesome Horror Streams for Hallowe'en Screams on Roku" right here on this blog. Meanwhile... please be sure to visit the Countdown To Hallowe'en website & show your support for this annual online Hallowe'en extravaganza PLUS don't forget to use the links you find there and check out all the other 'Cryptkeepers' taking part this year. I know they'll appreciate it, if you visit their blogs and share your thoughts on the contribution(s) they've made.
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ONE LAST THING, BEFORE I GO: Don't forget that, aside from the Hallowe'en / Horror-themed ghastliness going on around these parts for the next month, you can also keep up with the UK Roku action (as it happens) by following the companion Twitter Feed: @ukrokuchannels where you will find that up-to-the-minute info on all things Roku-related is posted on a daily basis (well, almost).
Until the next time, then...
That's all folks !!
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