The Fly

The 1958 original version of The Fly serves up a mix of science fiction and monster movie, framed by the domestic drama of a happy family shattered by reckless experimentation. David Hedison stars as Andre Delambre, an obsessive scientist who creates a matter-transference device and tests it on himself, resulting in a swap of body parts with an insect trapped in the machine. Directed by Kurt Neumann and presented largely in flashback, the film looks lavish thanks to the CinemaScope widescreen color format. The monster makeup is hidden for most of the running time, but then slowly revealed in shock scenes that send Delambre's wife, Helene (Patricia Owens), off screaming. But there are other startling moments, including an inspired fly's-eye-view kaleidoscope shot, and the metal-press insecticide that opens the film with a bloody splash. The focus, however, is on the ordeal of Helene, who goes on a mad hunt for the part-human fly that has escaped Andre's lab. Vincent Price costars as the loyal brother-in-law dedicated to looking after Helene and her son, and Herbert Marshall is the police inspector. The Fly has aged, of course, and some of the dialogue (scripted by future bestselling novelist James Clavell) is stilted and silly, but it's one of the more creative examples of 1950s sci-fi horror and an iconic genre film of the era. Debuting on Blu-ray, extras include audio commentary with Hedison and film historian David Del Valle, a retrospective featurette, a Biography episode on Price, and a Fox Movietone News short. Recommended. (S. Axmaker)