Too much of everything

I don't have all the words right now but this film is a work of art.

A waste of 90 minutes of my life

A great movie, one of the best of this year. There was a bit of confusion at one point in the plot, but nothing serious.

The Baby (1973) is a psychological horror/thriller directed by the late Ted "Magnum Force" Post and it stars Ruth Roman, Michael Pataki, Anjanette Comer and David Mooney as Baby. Ann Gentry is a social worker who is given a strange case dealing with a grown man named Baby whose overbearing mother Mrs. Wadsworth and two sister Germaine and Alba keep him in diapers and a giant crib. Getting a babysitter for Baby and trying to keep him happy can be a real trial for Mom and his hot-to-trot siblings. Will Miss Gentry be able to rescue the him from the wrath of his family or will she end up like the previous social worker?A weird movie that was the inspiration for MadTv's character Stuart and it's just as twisted and bizarre. The movie has many underlying themes that would give a film lover a field day in trying to resolve. Ted Post's direction was often overlooked because of the films he's worked on but know's how to keep his audience in checked. The Baby's ending not only comes out of left field but it's a bitter sweet finale.Fans of B-movies and psychological horror flicks will enjoy this one.

At First this one seems like a Grindhouse Perversion Exploitation Oddity Marketed for the Raincoat Crowd and Sexual Deviants who Haunted Grimy, Sticky-Floored Theatres in an Era of Anything Goes Cinema.But it is Decidedly Not that. On Further Examination it is a Professionally done, well Acted, Sincere Film with an Honest Social-Commentary Concern. Yes, it has a Horror-Movie Ending and is Disturbing Beyond Anything Explainable. There are a Few Scenes that are Certainly Socially Unacceptable and have Hidden Sexual Fantasy Quirks that are not Discussed Openly, but these are done as Tasteful as Possible. The Heart of the Film is Shining a Light on Family Abuse and Regard for the Handicapped.It is a Film not Easily Forgotten and one that is so Politically Incorrect it would Never even be Hinted at Today as Filmable. It can be Embarrassing to Watch on Occasion but not Completely without Merit and it is so Well Done that it Rises Above the Cheap Soft-Porn Gimmickry so Prevalent in its Day.Approach with Caution and be Warned that there may be Things here that Almost Cross the Line into Indecency, but it Never Goes There and in the End it is a Different Distraction and Stands Apart from just about Anything that was Attempted in an Age when just about Everything was.

Dedicated and idealistic social worker Ann Gentry (an excellent performance by Anjanette Comer) is determined to rescue overgrown man-child Baby (a convincing portrayal of fragile innocence by David Manzy) from the evil clutches of wicked and domineering Mrs. Wadsworth (splendidly played with vicious lip-licking relish by Ruth Roman) and her two equally nasty daughters. Director Ted Post and writer Abe Polsky present an utterly chilling depiction of depraved motherhood at its darkest, most controlling, and smothering: Although none too graphic and admirably tasteful and restrained considering the warped premise, this film nonetheless manages to be deeply unsettling due to its horrific subject matter, potent ominous atmosphere, some touches of sick sexual perversity, and a few jolting moments of brutal domestic violence (the scene with Baby being poked with a cattle prod is especially harsh and upsetting). Moreover, Post firmly grounds the premise in a certain thoroughly plausible everyday working class reality which in turn greatly enhances the overall impact and credibility of the piece. Comer and Roman both do sterling work in their juicy parts, Marianne Hill and Suzanne Zenor likewise excel as Baby's crazed sisters Germaine and Alba, Michael Pataki has a small, but memorable role as Alba's sleazy boyfriend Dennis, and Beatrice Manley Blau does well as Gentry's supportive mother-in-law Judith. The violent macabre conclusion packs a ferocious punch and the final twist at the very end is a real doozy. Mark Margulies' stark cinematography gives the picture an effectively plain look. Gerald Fried's shivery lullaby score hits the spine-tingling spot. Highly recommended.

They just don't make them like this any more.And to be honest, I don't think they'd be allowed to. The Baby is one of the strangest most warped, politically incorrect movies ever made. But strangely its made like a TV movie, so it catches the viewer off guard. The plot concerns a social worker Anne Gentry played by Anjanette Corner and her encounter with the Wadsworth family and they're 21 year old Baby,with whom she become obsessed.Anne believes that Baby is being abused and plans to save baby from the Wadsworth clan. But in this film nothing is what it seems.The family consists Ma, Played with relish by Ruth Roman. She's a female version of George C Scott, big with a whiskey rasping voice. Her oldest daughter Germaine played by Marianna Hill in a very complex performance. You almost feel sorry for her sadly unhinged character. Then you have Alba, sadistically played by Susanne Zenor, blonde with crazed eyes. The last member of the family is Baby Played by David Mooney who puts in a very carefully measured performance that never becomes parody or comical.As I said earlier the movie starts out like your usual 1970s TV thriller, even the score by Gerald Fried is slightly sad and melancholy.But as the film progresses it becomes darker , more twisted even during the lighter moments. The subject matter is twisted, but because the cast plays it straight you find that the film gets under your skin, you have to see it though to the end, and what an end.There are lots of twists, the last of which is truly jaw dropping. I found myself watching this film many times over the years and I found that none of the twists were their for convenience sake. When the end credits roll you may find your these questions.1. Why don't they make movies like this anymore. 2. Why didn't the director writer and actors in this movie go on to bigger things instead of making dodgy 70s television shows. 3. I hope they never remake The Baby.And finally… 4. I wish they would bring out a re-mastered edition with special features on DVD. Because when it comes to 70s Thrillers. The Baby is in a class of its own.