The Fly (1958) Review- By Michael J. Carlisle

Title: The Fly
Year: 1958
Director: Kurt Neumann
Country: US
Language: English

Parodied in many forms of media (most notably The Simpsons' Treehouse of Horror VIII) and remade by the master of body-horror David Cronenberg (see that review HERE) The original Fly is a campy bit of sci-fi/horror hokum that delights because it treats the material as seriously as it can. The premise alone is enough to turn curious heads, and the fact that Vincent Price has a role is just icing on the delirious cake. 

A scientist (David Hedison) experiments with teleportation - transporting objects from one point to another by breaking the object down to the atomic level and then reassembling it in a receiver a distance away. He decides to try and teleport himself, but hen a fly enters the teleportation device with him, disaster strikes

At the time of release The Fly was a commercial and critical success, it was the biggest box office draw of Kurt Neumann's career, but unfortunately he died before he could witness the results of his great effort. The Fly attempts to be a full-on drama, but its material is so ludicrous that you'll find yourself in fits of laughter. It is a slow burning picture, with the fly revelation being shown in the last third of the movie. The late reveal was probably done because of the limitations of the effects of the time. 

In 1958 audiences were probably shocked at the mix of camera trickery, animatronics and masks employed, but everything is incredibly campy today. The scientist's original intent for the machine was to help humanity, but the movie’s moral exemplifies the adage that the “road to Hell is paved with good intentions.” 

Actor David Hedison looks the part of the scientist which makes up for the general lack of charisma or personality the character exudes.  Part of this is the work of the script, which doesn’t give Andre a defined personality. Unlike Cronenberg's version, we never truly feel how he’s affected by the nonsense that happens. The Fly is overall an enjoyable film, but would have been better if Vincent Price would have been given the main role.