Movie Review: Return of the Fly (1959) directed by Edward Bernds
It has been fifteen years since the mysterious and horrific death of Andre Delambre, which was officially ruled a suicide. His widow Helene never got over the events, and her passing seems almost a mercy to her brother in law Francois Delambre (Vincent Price). But there are still people who are not letting go of their suspicions about what happened that night, including an obnoxious reporter (Jack Daly) and Andre’s son Phillipe (Brett Halsey). Phillipe, who has followed in his father’s footsteps as a scientist, demands the truth. Francois reluctantly reveals the secret–Andre developed a teleportation device, but carelessly merged his cells with those of a fly in the same chamber, becoming a monstrous hybrid.
Phillipe is not deterred by this revelation; he’s determined to vindicate his father’s work. Since Francois does not want to support this effort, Phillipe moves the equipment to his own manor and poaches an assistant from the family electronics manufacturing concern, Alan Hinds (David Frankham). They refurbish the basement laboratory and we are introduced to housekeeper Madame Bonnard (Janine Grandel) and her lovely daughter Cecile (Danielle DeMetz), who is sweet on Phillipe.
Francois eventually comes around, if only to make sure that there are no accidents this time. And indeed, Phillipe is far more careful with the teleporter than his father. But he’s already made a crucial mistake, and by the end of the film, The Fly returns.
The Fly had been a modest success the year before, so this quickie sequel was made. To save money, it was shot in black and white, and Mr. Price was the only returning actor. Most of the sets and props were still available, which also helped save money. Of course, the internal chronology of the film has it set in 1973, but everyone’s still driving 1950s cars and wearing Fifties fashions, and Francois does not look fifteen years older.
That said, despite some production goofs, I enjoyed this movie. The writing is good, and the cast does an excellent job with the material. Dan Seymour as Max Barthold, a crooked mortuary owner, is especially fun in his minor role.
There’s another sequel, Curse of the Fly but it doesn’t have Vincent Price so I’ve never seen it.
Recommended to folks who saw the first movie and don’t mind sequelitis.
