RETURN OF THE FLY

US, 1959, 80 minutes, Black and white.
Vincent Price, Brett Halsey, John Sutton.
Directed by Edward Bernds.

Return of the Fly is an enjoyable, if routine, sequel to Kurt Neumann's 1958 classic, The Fly. (The original was remade in 1986 by David Cronenberg with Jeff Goldblum and there was a sequel, Fly 2, by his special effects man, Chris Wallas, with Eric Stoltz.

This film has a smaller budget, was filmed in Cinemascope but in black and white. Vincent Price has a sympathetic role. The film has something of a Frankenstein theme. It uses its special effects rather sparingly.

1. Enjoyable horror thriller? Relationship with the original film? Enjoyable sequel?

2. Black-and white photography, special effects, Cinemascope? Musical score?

3. The title, audience expectations? The next generation? The unhappy ending of the original? The happy ending of this film?

4. The situation and continuity from the original? Andre, his experiments, the laboratory, his death? Francois and his concern? The funeral of Philippe's mother, his inheritance, Francois as administrator? Forcing the truth from Francois? The inevitability of history repeating itself?

5. Philippe, love for his father, sharing his scientific concern? Getting the money from Francois? Using Alan as his assistant, drawing him away from Francois? Setting up the experiments? The transfer of the animals? Alan and the industrial espionage? Phillippe's suspicions? Francois and his helping? The housekeeper, his love for her daughter? The success of the experiments? The dangers?- The clash with Alan, the fight, his being put in the machine, the fly? The initiation experience? The fly and his vengeance against Alan and the businessman?- The pathos of the fly? The inspector and his getting the fly? The return to the laboratory, Francois performing the experiment? The happy ending and his restoration?

6. Francois, the businessman, concern about his brother, the help of the police Philippe? Alan leaving his employment? Inspector? Wanting to protect Philippe? The blackmail about the money, his helping with the experiments, the fight and his being shot? In hospital, the interrogation? The final experiment and recovery?

7. Alan, his skills, going with Philippe, friendliness? The irony of the espionage, his criminal background, the police investigating him? His business deals? plans, his being observed by the housekeeper, his lies, the fight, his cruelty towards Philippe? The shoot-out? His death? And the murder of the policeman?

8. The police inspector, his help in the cover-up, in helping Philippe to recovery? The police investigator? The murdered English investigator?

9. The housekeeper, her daughter - and the slight romantic interest?

10. The Frankenstein themes, the role of science, scientists overreaching themselves, risks, experiments going wrong? Industrial espionage and betrayal?