When I started watching this, about twenty minutes in, I had an inclination to stop the film. It was just "ODD". But then I found the oddness strangely compelling and by the end of the film I was like WTF. Totally a great ending--did not see that coming. I'd watch this again for sure, and I bet I'd notice things I didn't see the first time. Baby's female family members were the very definition of crazy, and man how they pulled it off expertly. I could see something like this being unearthed in real life. An adult baby child kept in a crib and made to be a basic invalid. The Baby's a great role, even if it's sad and unfortunate. The guy who played him did a superb job.

Social worker Anjanette Comer (as Ann Gentry) has a new case. She is to oversee government assistance going to the weird "Wadsworth" family. The client receiving checks is a young adult man called "Baby" (played by David Mooney aka David Manzy). Baby is well-named as he has remained intellectually a baby for 20-some-odd years. Baby's mother is deep-voiced Ruth Roman. She has two sexy grown-up daughters who have aged normally – relatively speaking... Meeting Baby on a "routine" visit isn't enough for Ms. Comer. She becomes unusually attached to Baby and begins visiting him frequently. Her boss worries about the time Comer spends with Baby and thinks about changing his social worker. Comer responds by telling him she has some suspicions about the case and begins investigating. Presumably, Comer suspects the wacky Wadsworth family has kept Baby infantile on purpose...This is a very strange film. The adult Baby wears diapers and speaks in genuine baby gibberish. He is so strange you're wondering what went wrong and where the story is headed. It sure fooled me. The other characters are interesting, too. Filmmakers and director Ted Post give it a naughty Gothic TV Movie atmosphere that works like a charm.******* The Baby (3/73) Ted Post ~ Anjanette Comer, Ruth Roman, David Mooney, Marianna Hill

This is one of those really bizarre films that those of us who appreciate this kind of thing can really enjoy. I did. With the glee of voyeurism, and the thrill of horror, I can say I recommend it. Also, who could resist the 1970s look, feel, and clothes? What a trip back in time. Whoever remembers Ruth Roman in her glory days will be a little unsettled, but she delivers an appropriately creepy performance. The ending was totally unexpected, as others have noted. I will watch this again. The only criticism is that I wish the actor playing "Baby" was incredibly good looking instead of average, and that the baby cries were his, instead of a dubbed baby, which would make it above average and more creepy. I love Anjanette Comer, especially her performance in "The Loved One." Here she is perfect.

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.