Rent The Fly (1958)

Influential and Classic Technicolour 1958 Movie set in Montreal, Canada Based on a 1957 Short Story - The Fly review by PV

I realise I had never actually ever watched the original THE FLY, only the 1986 version and the Simpsons parody episode SO I watched it. I had never realised it was produced and set in Canada, Montreal, which is maybe why Cronenburg showed an interest in a remake in the 80s.

Like THE BLOB it is a fine 1950s fantasy film, in colour, and all about the dangers of meddling with science (very Frankenstein) as well as a vague hint at the nuclear age and the commie threat.

The special effects are basic and the money shot is saved for the last scene - which was impressive for 1958. No CGI then, all models. AND I was left thinking that such is our modern pofaced hysterical age, this film was get a TRIGGER WARNING now, for animal cruelty (the cat, no spoilers), the final scene, and the usual normal male-female relations which are now seen as misogyny. Sigh...

BUT let's not forget where it all started: George Langelaan (1908 – 1972) was a French-British[citation needed] writer and journalist born in Paris, France.

He is best known for his 1957 short story "The Fly", which was the basis for the 1958 and 1986 sci-fi/horror films. He parachuted into occupied France on 7 September 1941 to make contact with the French Resistance forces south of Châteauroux, arranged to meet Édouard Herriot, was captured on 6 October, imprisoned in the Mauzac camp, condemned to death by the Nazis, and escaped (16 July 1942) and returned to England to participate in the Normandy landings. He received the French Croix de guerre.

Vincent Prince plays, err, Vincent Price as per usual - an actor who blossomed late, he had a very posh background and studied art at the Courtauld London in the 1930s.

I always look up the child actors in these films and sadly they often do not do well in later life. Here the boy is 1950s child star Charles Herbert (b 1948). Unable to transition into adult roles, Herbert's personal life went downhill, as well. With no formal education or training to do anything else, and with no career earnings saved, he led a reckless, wanderlust life and turned to drugs. He died age 66 on Halloween 2015.

THERE IS A SEQUEL to this,. Shall I watch it? Not sure...