If John Waters had directed a Universal monster movie, something like “Spider Baby” would have been the result. Though soaked in camp–creepy cobwebs, spiders, rats, and horrific things in the basement–the cast plays it mostly straight, without the knowing winks of so many horror comedies. (Though the references to the Wolfman are a nice touch, given that Lon Chaney, Jr., plays the apparently harmless Bruno.) The performances of the three “children” are over the top and unhinged while frighteningly believable. This is a weird, fun little movie that deserves its cult status.