Quinn K. Redeker would sometimes sit in Lon Chaney Jr.'s trailer while Chaney told him stories and anecdotes about his films. Chaney would often be making his specialty - homemade mustard - while doing so.
After dinner, there's a brief scene that ends with Schlocker wagging his cigar at Emily. Originally this scene ended with Emily ripping the cigar from his hand and puffing on it, but the producers hated this irreverent moment and demanded it be cut.
Director Jack Hill accompanied actress Carol Ohmart on a trip to Frederick's of Hollywood, where she personally picked out the sexy wardrobe she dons in the latter half of the film.
During the climax as he's struggling with Mary Mitchel, Sid Haig had the flu and a temperature of 103°. The producers employed a doctor to standby on the set to give Haig an injection every few hours so he could continue to work.
During the filming of "Spider Baby" (originally titled "Cannibal Orgy"), director Jack Hill wrote a treatment for a sequel called "Vampire Orgy," which followed Peter and Ann on their honeymoon.
For the scene in which Ralph climbs down the house and peers in the window, Sid Haig had a rope tied around his feet and was lowered in front of the window. Pressure built up behind his eyes and he panicked, so this footage was shot very quickly.
Interior sets were erected on a soundstage in Glendale, CA. The same walls were moved and redressed to create the various rooms in the Merrye home.
Released to drive-ins simultaneously under two different titles beginning in 1968 as the latter half of a double-feature. When paired with Hells Chosen Few the print was titled "Spider Baby;" when paired with Dr. Terror's House of Horrors (aka "The Blood Suckers") it was titled "The Liver Eaters."
Shot in seven days between August and September of 1964.
Star Lon Chaney Jr. sings the films quirky theme song.
The directorial debut for Jack Hill.
The film had a $60,000 budget. Lon Chaney Jr. was paid a flat fee of $2500 for his performance, each of the other actors were paid $100 a day. Coincidentally, the price of the actors salaries was the same as the daily rental of the Duesenberg that Bruno drives.
The film was adapted as a stage musical in 2004.
The film was shot in August and September of 1964 with the title "Cannibal Orgy, or The Maddest Story Ever Told", but its release was held up for years because the producers went bankrupt, which tied up the film in legal limbo. Independent producer David L. Hewitt acquired it for distribution in 1968 and changed the title to "Spider Baby" and "The Liver Eaters."
The film's original title "Cannibal Orgy or, The Maddest Story Ever Told" was incorporated into the theme song, which culminates with a line that states "This cannibal orgy is strange to behold and the maddest story ever told."
The rocking chair that Virginia ties Peter to as she plays her spider game was an antique that belonged to director Jack Hill's grandmother. It was destroyed during filming.
The Smith estate house was originally occupied by Judge David Patterson Hatch, where he wrote occult books as well as metaphysical writings after he retired from the bench.
The Smith Estate of Los Angeles, California was used for the exteriors of the Merrye house. The house still stands today.
The studio where the bulk of the film was shot was not equipped with air conditioning, only fans. With temperatures in the triple digits outside, the crew were all uncomfortable, but none more than Lon Chaney Jr., who was often dripping with sweat by the end of his takes. A bucket of ice water was brought in so Chaney could be mopped down with a cold, wet towel after each take.
The wrap party was held at the home of actress Mary Mitchel and her then-husband, producer Bart Patton. The couple's dog had recently had puppies, and that evening co-star Sid Haig and his wife took one of the pups home and named it "Uncle Ned" after the character in the film.