The Fly
Directed by Kurt Neumann
Written by James Clavell from a story by George Langelaan
1958/USA
Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation
First viewing/Amazon Prime
[box] Insp. Charas: He put his head and his arm under the press. Why?
Helene Delambre: I cannot answer that question; coffee, Inspector?[/box]
This glossy technicolor horror flick is genuinely creepy. I suppose the ick factor is affected by how one feels about flies – I don’t like ’em much.
The setting is contemporary Montreal. As the film begins, a scientist is found crushed to death in a mechanical press. His wife is seen fleeing the scene. She readily admits killing her husband but refuses to reveal her reasons to either his brother (Vincent Price) or the inspector investigating the murder (Herbert Marshall). The brother deduces that the motive has something to do with a fly Helene is obsessed with catching and finally drags the story out of her. We segue into flash back.
Helene and Andre were blissfully married with a young, adorable son. They are also both animal lovers. One day Andre had a surprise for her. He had invented a process for teleporting solid objects which he thinks can cure world hunger. Unfortunately, his invention has a few kinks in it. When he tries the device on the family cat, it disappears.
Andre spends weeks locked up in his lab working out the problems. Loving animals as he does, Andre decides to experiment on teleporting himself. When a fly lands on the teleporter at the wrong moment, the couple’s problems really begin …
The whole concept of a person trapped in the body of a fly grosses me out. This movie is graphic enough. I’m sure I could not cope with the David Cronenberg version.
Trailer
I remember loving this when was a kid back in the 1970s. I haven’t seen it for a few years, but I know I’ve seen it a couple of times as an adult and I find I still like it for all the reasons I’m supposed to like it.
They came up with a good original concept and ran all the way with it. Managed to inject some pathos as well.
I love this movie. I love the fly man hybrid, I love that Vincent Price isn’t the bad guy.
The Cronenberg version is really really nasty in places. It’s tremendously great and there are wonderful stories about the premiere, but if you don’t do well with body horror, it’s one to watch through your fingers.
I loved it too though I was a little surprised at how slick and somehow staid it was. Just Cronenberg’s name scares me. Dead Ringers may have scarred me for life. Excellent movie though.