Thursday, July 18, 2013

CURSE OF THE FLY

CURSE OF THE FLY (1965). Director: Don Sharp.

In this sort-of sequel to The Fly  and Return of the Fly, a hitherto unknown second son of  Andre Delambre named Henri [in Return of the Fly Andre's son was named Philippe] and played by Brian Donlevy, has continued his father's research -- aided by his two sons, Martin (George Baker) and Albert (Michael Graham) -- with miserable results. Martin's wife and others went through the teleportation machine and came out twisted freaks which the "kindly" Delambre keeps isolated in the stables! Although he's already married, Martin comes across a woman (Carole Gray) who escapes from a mental institution, falls in love with and marries her, and brings her home, never telling her about the misshapen wife (Mary Manson) he's already got who isn't even allowed in the house! Yet these Delambres are presented as "nice" people. Inspector Charas, played by Herbert Marshall in the first film, appears briefly, this time played by Charles Carson. The film never answers the question of how Andre Delambre could have fathered another son after he was killed by his wife in The Fly. Curse of the Fly takes material from the first two films and doesn't do very much with it. Perhaps the most horrifying thing about the movie is that George Langelaan, who wrote the novella "The Fly," receives no onscreen credit [maybe he preferred it that way!]. Curse of the Fly holds the attention and isn't badly acted, but it pretty much wastes some terrific ideas. Sharp also directed Rasputin, the Mad Monk.

Verdict: Swat this fly! **. 

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