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Return of the Fly

Return of the Fly is a 1959 American science fiction horror film directed by Edward Bernds and serving as a sequel to the 1958 classic The Fly.^[1] Produced by Bernard Glasser and filmed in black and white, the movie stars Vincent Price as François Delambre, alongside Brett Halsey as Philippe Delambre, David Frankham, and John Sutton.^[2] The plot centers on Philippe, the adult son of the original film's ill-fated scientist André Delambre, who inherits the family laboratory and collaborates with his uncle François to refine the experimental matter disintegration and teleportation device, only for industrial sabotage to result in Philippe's horrific transformation into a human-fly hybrid.^[3] Released on July 22, 1959, by 20th Century Fox as a double feature with The Alligator People, the film was written by Edward Bernds, adapting elements from George Langelaan's original short story that inspired the first movie.^[4] Unlike its predecessor, which was directed by Kurt Neumann and featured groundbreaking special effects, Return of the Fly employed more cost-effective production techniques and a smaller budget, while maintaining the core theme of scientific hubris leading to monstrous consequences.^[5] Vincent Price's return as the voice of reason provided continuity, though the sequel received mixed reviews compared to the original's impact.^[6] The film explores themes of legacy, betrayal, and revenge, with Philippe's quest driven by a desire to vindicate his father's work, ultimately unraveling through corporate espionage by a character played by David Frankham. Shot primarily in Hollywood studios, it features practical effects for the creature transformation, including a bulky fly mask suit that has become a point of campy notoriety in horror cinema history.^[7]^[5] Despite not matching the cultural phenomenon of The Fly, Return of the Fly contributed to the franchise's expansion, influencing later sequels and remakes in the genre.^[3]

Plot

Following the funeral of his mother, adult Philippe Delambre confronts his uncle François about the circumstances of his father André's death. François reluctantly reveals the family's secret laboratory and the matter transporter experiment that led to André's tragic transformation into a human-fly hybrid. Determined to vindicate his father's work and perfect the device, Philippe begins conducting experiments in secret, despite François's warnings about the dangers involved.^[5] Philippe enlists the help of his friend and colleague, Alan Hines, who is secretly the fugitive industrial spy Ronald Holmes, working to steal the invention's blueprints for sale to a criminal buyer named Max Barthold. As Philippe refines the transporter, testing it successfully on small animals, Holmes sabotages the process by introducing complications. When a police inspector, Beecham, begins investigating Holmes's criminal past and closes in on him, Holmes uses the transporter to murder one of the pursuing agents by disintegrating him along with a guinea pig, creating a monstrous hybrid that François and Philippe must dispose of.^[8] Philippe's fiancée, Hélène, becomes concerned about his obsessive work, but he presses on. Discovering Holmes's betrayal after Holmes attempts to flee with the plans, Philippe confronts him. In the struggle, Holmes forces Philippe into the disintegration chamber along with a common housefly. The reintegration process fails, resulting in Philippe emerging as a grotesque hybrid with a fly's head, claw, and partial limb, while the fly gains human features including Philippe's head and arm. The transformed Philippe, driven by rage and confusion, escapes and embarks on a vengeful rampage, killing Holmes and Barthold in brutal fashion using his enhanced strength.^[5] François and Inspector Beecham track the creature back to the Delambre estate. They discover the hybrid fly in the garden and capture the monstrous Philippe. In a desperate bid to reverse the transformation, François uses the transporter to reintegrate both the human-fly hybrid and the fly-human hybrid, restoring Philippe to his normal form. The film ends with François and Philippe destroying the device to prevent further accidents, echoing the original film's cautionary theme.^[8]

Cast

Production

Development

Following the unexpected commercial success of The Fly (1958), 20th Century Fox and Robert L. Lippert's Associated Producers Inc. greenlit a sequel to capitalize on its popularity as a horror film.^[6] Producer Bernard Glasser oversaw the low-budget follow-up, proceeding with a more modest production compared to the original.^[9] Development began in late 1958, shortly after the release of the first film, with the script written by Edward Bernds. Bernds drew inspiration from the original's themes of scientific experimentation and tragic consequences but shifted the focus to a new protagonist: Philippe Delambre, the grown son of the original inventor, who resumes his father's matter-transmission research.^[10] The screenplay was finalized by early 1959, incorporating elements from George Langelaan's 1957 short story "The Fly" while adapting the narrative for sequel purposes.^[10] Vincent Price, who had played François Delambre in the original, signed on after reviewing the initial draft, which featured a more prominent role for his character as Philippe's uncle and advisor. However, studio-mandated rewrites followed to reduce production costs and simplify special effects, resulting in a scaled-back script that limited Price's screen time and emphasized practical constraints over elaborate visuals. These changes presented challenges in balancing audience expectations for a direct continuation with the sequel's reduced scope, including a shift to black-and-white cinematography and reliance on reused sets from the prior film to contain expenses.^[6]

Filming

The production of Return of the Fly was conducted at 20th Century Fox Studios in Los Angeles, California, with principal photography commencing on February 2, 1959, and concluding after approximately six weeks. This tight schedule reflected the film's low-budget approach, as producer Bernard Glasser aimed to capitalize quickly on the success of the 1958 original while minimizing expenses.^[6] The budget ranged from $225,000 to $275,000, a substantial reduction from the original The Fly's estimated $327,000, with $25,000 allocated specifically to Vincent Price's fee.^[11] To further economize, the production extensively reused sets and props from the predecessor, including the laboratory interior and the disintegration chamber, allowing for efficient setup without new construction.^[12] Script rewrites were implemented to align with these financial constraints, eliminating more ambitious elements.^[12] Under director Edward Bernds, the emphasis shifted toward noir-style suspense and atmospheric tension rather than overt horror spectacle, drawing on his experience with B-movies to maintain pace within the limited timeframe.^[5] Special effects were simplified compared to the original, utilizing practical makeup by Hal Lierly for the human-fly hybrid transformations, matte shots for teleportation sequences, and a modified version of the fly head prop that required the actor to brace it due to its weight.^[13] Cinematographer Brydon Baker shot the film in black-and-white Cinemascope, forgoing color to reduce costs while preserving a widescreen format.^[14] The rushed production led to quick rehearsals for the cast and crew, with Bernds noting the challenges of coordinating dialogue scenes under time pressure, contributing to a functional but unpolished execution.^[11]

Release

Theatrical

Return of the Fly was released theatrically in the United States on July 22, 1959, by distributor 20th Century Fox.^[3]^[15] The film was presented as a double feature alongside The Alligator People, another science fiction horror picture, to capitalize on the genre's popularity in the late 1950s drive-in and second-run theater circuits.^[16] Marketing efforts positioned the film as a direct sequel to the 1958 hit The Fly, leveraging the original's sensational elements to attract audiences. Promotional posters prominently featured Vincent Price in his returning role as François Delambre, alongside imagery of the grotesque fly-human hybrid transformation to evoke horror and intrigue.^[17] Internationally, the picture saw a limited rollout in Europe shortly after its U.S. premiere, with releases in West Germany on August 28, 1959, Sweden on September 7, 1959, Ireland on December 4, 1959, and Finland on December 18, 1959.^[18]

Home media

The first home video release of Return of the Fly came in 1987 on VHS by CBS/Fox Video, marking an early entry into the ancillary market for the 1959 film. On September 5, 2000, 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment issued the film on DVD as a double feature paired with the 1958 original The Fly, presenting both in widescreen format without additional special features beyond basic trailers.^[19] A significant upgrade arrived with Shout! Factory's Blu-ray release on December 10, 2019, included in the five-film "The Fly Collection" set alongside The Fly (1958), Curse of the Fly (1965), The Fly (1986), and The Fly II (1989); this edition featured a high-definition transfer with DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 mono and English SDH subtitles, plus extensive special features for Return of the Fly such as new audio commentaries by actor David Frankham (with moderator Jonathan David Dixon), film historian Tom Weaver (incorporating recreated excerpts from a vintage interview with director Edward Bernds), and actors Brett Halsey and David Del Valle, along with the original theatrical trailer, a TV spot, and a still gallery.^[20]^[21] An individual Blu-ray edition followed on September 30, 2024, from Scream Factory, offering the film in standalone format with restored audio elements and English subtitles, though it retained core special features like the trailer from prior releases without new additions.^[22] As of November 2025, the film is available for streaming on Amazon Prime Video, often bundled with other entries in The Fly series, providing ad-free access to the 1959 classic in standard definition.^[23]

Reception

Critical response

Upon its 1959 release, Return of the Fly garnered mixed reviews from critics, who generally viewed it as an adequate but unremarkable sequel overshadowed by its predecessor. Variety praised its technical slickness and effective special effects but cautioned that it would suffer from unfavorable comparisons to the original, relying heavily on the earlier film's reputation to avoid being dismissed as a dud.^[24] Later assessments echoed this sentiment, with film critic Leonard Maltin assigning it 2.5 out of 4 stars for its engaging B-movie charm despite shortcomings.^[25] Aggregate scores reflect this ambivalence: as of 2025, the film holds a 36% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, based on 14 reviews.^[3] Common criticisms focused on a weaker script that introduced overly complex elements like industrial espionage and revenge, diluting the horror in favor of noir thriller tropes; the transformation sequences were also deemed less impactful, with the fly-head prosthetics appearing heavy and unconvincing compared to the original's subtlety.^[26]^[13] In post-2000 reception, Return of the Fly has been reevaluated as a fun, campy entry in the genre, appreciated for its low-budget energy and Vincent Price's commanding presence. A 2024 ScreenAge Wasteland review described it as a "pretty fun monster movie" that rises slightly above typical era paint-by-numbers efforts, though its cheesiness—particularly the "hilariously obvious" fly head—undermines deeper scares.^[13] Similarly, a 2021 Alex on Film critique highlighted grotesque moments amid script flaws and dull pacing, calling it better than average for 1950s monster flicks.^[26] Within the series, Return of the Fly is frequently ranked below The Fly (1958) for lacking its pathos and innovation but above Curse of the Fly (1965) for retaining some B-horror appeal, as seen in Collider's 2024 retrospective placing it fourth out of five films.^[27]

Legacy

Other media

Soundtrack albums featuring the score from Return of the Fly, composed by Paul Sawtell and Bert Shefter, have been released, including a 2002 compilation with scores from the The Fly series^[28] and a 2012 limited edition CD by Kritzerland Records.^[29] The score is presented in DTS-HD MA 2.0 mono on Shout! Factory's 2019 Blu-ray set The Fly Collection, offering clear dialogue and balanced effects without age-related degradation.^[20]^[30] The film has no official novelization, though its narrative extends the premise of George Langelaan's 1957 short story "The Fly," published in Playboy. No comic book adaptations of Return of the Fly exist, though the broader The Fly franchise inspired a 1991 miniseries by Impact Comics (a DC imprint), featuring a new superhero character unrelated to the film's plot.^[31] Promotional materials from the film's 1959 release, including lobby cards and one-sheet posters, remain popular among horror collectors, with original examples fetching prices up to several hundred dollars at auction depending on condition.^[32] Modern replicas and apparel tie-ins, such as glow-in-the-dark t-shirts featuring Vincent Price and the Fly monster, are available through licensed retailers like Famous Monsters of Filmland.^[33] In 2003, Majestic Studios produced a 12-inch articulated action figure of the film's Fly creature as part of its Film Freaks line, complete with cloth costume elements and poseable limbs, targeted at adult collectors.^[34] The film has no dedicated video game adaptation, though its monster design appears in minor nods within retro horror-themed digital compilations and fan projects.

Cultural impact

The horror punk band the Misfits paid direct homage to Return of the Fly with their 1978 song "Return of the Fly," which draws lyrics from the film's plot and credits, incorporating themes of scientific mishap and monstrous transformation.^[35] The film exemplifies the 1950s B-movie sequel tradition, characterized by low-budget, rapid production to capitalize on a predecessor's success, often prioritizing spectacle over narrative depth in the science fiction horror subgenre.^[36] Vincent Price's reprise of his role as François Delambre further cemented his status as a horror icon during this era, as his authoritative narration and presence in quickie monster films like this one amplified his association with macabre tales of scientific hubris.^[37] In popular media, the film's transformation motif echoed in later works, such as the 1990 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles animated series episode "Son of Return of the Fly II," where villain Baxter Stockman undergoes a grotesque insect mutation reminiscent of the Delambre family's experiments.^[38] As the second entry in the franchise, Return of the Fly bridged the original 1958 The Fly to the 1965 Curse of the Fly, solidifying a pattern of inexpensive, plot-repeating sequels that extended the series' commercial viability into the mid-1960s without Price's involvement in the final installment.^[39]

References

[1]
Return of the Fly (1959) - IMDb
Rating 5.7/10 (5,607) Return of the Fly: Directed by Edward Bernds. With Vincent Price, Brett Halsey, David Frankham, John Sutton. Philippe Delambre, the now-adult son of "The ...
[2]
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0053219/fullcredits
[3]
Return of the Fly - Rotten Tomatoes
Rating 36% (14) Synopsis Philippe Delambre (Brett Halsey) has been wrestling with his family legacy for years, knowing that his father perished as a result of his experiments ...
[4]
Return of the Fly (1959) - Moria Reviews
Feb 2, 2005 · Plot ; Director: Edward L. Bernds ; Actors: Vincent Price, David Frankham, Brett Halsey, Danielle De Metz, John Sutton ; Crew: Edward L. Bernds.Missing: summary | Show results with:summary
[5]
Return of the Fly - Variety
The sequel's amateurishly contrived plot picks up at the death of the inventor's widow, who had been acquitted of murdering him.<|control11|><|separator|>
[6]
Sci-Fi Producer Bernard Glasser Dies at 89 - The Hollywood Reporter
Jan 4, 2014 · Sci-Fi Producer Bernard Glasser Dies at 89. He worked on the classics "Return of the Fly," "Crack in the World" and "The Day of the Triffids" ...
[7]
AFI|Catalog - American Film Institute
Return of the Fly (1959). 78 or 80 mins | Horror ... Bernard Glasser. Cinematographer: Brydon Baker ... Associated Producers, Inc. HISTORY; DETAILS; CREDITS ...
[8]
https://horror.fandom.com/wiki/Return_of_the_Fly_(1959)
[9]
Mr. Bernds Goes to Hollywood: My Early Life and Career in Sound ...
... Return of the Fly, Spacemaster X7, and Zsa ... Mr. Bernds Goes to Hollywood: My Early Life and ... Mr. Bernds Goes to Hollywood: My Early Life ...<|control11|><|separator|>
[10]
https://catalog.afi.com/Catalog/MovieDetails/52999
[11]
'The Return of the Fly' (1959) Review - ScreenAge Wasteland
Sep 4, 2024 · Fox appears to have done everything it could to get out a sequel quickly, including use of existing sets from the first film. (There's a ...
[12]
Return of the Fly - The Grindhouse Cinema Database
Jul 19, 2023 · Released in 1959 · B&W · Aspect Ratio: (2.35:1) · Runtime: 80 min · Distributed by Twentieth Century-Fox Film Corporation · Directed by Edward Bernds ...
[13]
Return of the Fly (1959) - Company credits - IMDb
Distributors · Twentieth Century Fox. (United States, 1959)(theatrical) · Twentieth Century Fox Film Company. (United Kingdom, 1959)(theatrical) · Centfox-Film. ( ...
[14]
The Alligator People (1959) - IMDb
Rating 5.6/10 (2,790) ... double bill with Return of the Fly (1959), the sequel to its "sleeper" hit The Fly (1958). Fox did not produce this film, however. It was made by ...
[15]
RETURN OF THE FLY Original 1959 Movie Poster, 27"x41", C8.5 ...
Free deliveryThis is the original (1sh) 1959 movie poster RETURN OF THE FLY. It was used to promote the film in theatres when it was released by 20TH Century Fox in 1959 ...
[16]
The world's most comprehensive Film database - AFI Catalog
In 1959, the studio released Return of the Fly (See Entry), and in 1965 ... Release Date: July 1958. Production Date: mid Mar--mid Apr 1958. Copyright ...
[17]
Return of the Fly (1959) - Release info - IMDb
Release date ; United States. July 22, 1959 ; West Germany. August 28, 1959 ; Sweden. September 7, 1959 ; Ireland. December 4, 1959 ; Finland. December 18, 1959.Missing: international Europe Asia
[18]
The Fly / Return Of The Fly - DVD Review & High Definition
Sep 11, 2000 · The Fly / Return Of The Fly (1958) 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment Cast: Vincent Price, Al Hedison, Brett HalseyMissing: 5 | Show results with:5
[19]
The Fly Collection - Blu-ray News and Reviews | High Def Digest
Dec 13, 2019 · Special Features · NEW Audio Commentary with David Frankham · NEW Audio Commentary with Tom Weaver · Audio Commentary with Brett Halsey and David ...Missing: media VHS streaming
[20]
Return of the Fly Blu-ray
Rating 7/10 Dec 29, 2019 · He also delivers various production facts and anecdotes for the first film and Return of the Fly. Weaver opines why didn't like certain ...<|control11|><|separator|>
[21]
Return of the Fly [Blu-ray] Starring Vincent Price, Brett Halsey, David ...
Return of the Fly [Blu-ray] Starring Vincent Price, Brett Halsey, David Frankham (1959) ; Language, ‎English ; Runtime, ‎1 hour and 20 minutes ; UPC, ‎606795821129.Missing: streaming | Show results with:streaming
[22]
Watch Return of the Fly (1959) | Prime Video - Amazon.com
Rating 4.5 (189) · 30-day returns12 years after a scientist's experiment with molecular transformation went awry, his son tries to replicate the original process in order to perfect it.Missing: Tubi | Show results with:Tubi
[23]
Return of the Fly (1959) - EOFFTV
Plot Summary. Fifteen years after his father's death, Philippe Delambre and his uncle François recreate the scientists teleportation device and determine to ...
[24]
Return of the Fly (1959) | Horror Film Wiki - Fandom
Directed By. Edward Bernds ; Produced By. Bernard Glasser ; Written By. George Langelaan Edward Bernds ; Starring. Vincent Price Brett Halsey David Frankham John ...Plot · Cast · Production and releaseMissing: summary | Show results with:summary
[25]
Return of the Fly (1959) - Alex on Film
Mar 21, 2021 · Kurt Neumann died shortly after finishing The Fly so Edward Bernds took over directing chores. Vincent Price is back as François Delambre ...Missing: details special effects
[26]
All 5 'The Fly' Movies, Ranked - Collider
Oct 19, 2024 · Director: Edward Bernds ... Sure, Return of the Fly means a return of the Fly, but it also means a return of Vincent Price, who was one of the ...<|control11|><|separator|>
[27]
Fly Collection, The (Boxset) (Blu-ray Review) - The Digital Bits
Dec 30, 2019 · The presentation of Return of the Fly comes from the same source used for The Vincent Price Collection Volume II Blu-ray set (also reviewed by ...
[28]
Fly (1991 Impact/DC) comic books - MyComicShop
4.9 108 · $12.95 deliveryThe Fly tries to prevent the assassination of Crowns Pointe's mayor at the hands of airborne killers...and the origin of Arachnus is revealed!
[29]
https://www.kritzerland.com/fly.htm
[30]
Return Of The Fly (Glow In The Dark) Short Sleeve - Captain Company
In stockReturn Of The Fly (Glow In The Dark) Short Sleeve ... 5.3 oz. Classic Fit. Officially Licensed Vincent Price Shirt.
[31]
Review of Return of the Fly sixth scale action figure - Captain Toy
This sixth scale version of the original Return of the Fly monster is produced by Majestic Studios. You can expect to pay $35 - $40, depending ...
[32]
10 Movies That Inspired The Misfits - MovieWeb
Oct 29, 2018 · "Braineaters," the song, appeared on The Misfits Walk Among Us. Die ... For a single song example, look no further than "Return of the Fly ...
[33]
The Enduring Legacy of The Fly | Den of Geek
Jan 2, 2020 · Anticipating the sequel to the Cronenberg film by 30 years, Return of the Fly features Vincent Price as the only cast member from the first film ...
[34]
American Movie Classics Reviews Four Generations Of Sci-Fiction ...
Nov 3, 2000 · In RETURN OF THE FLY, made in 1959, on a budget of $225,000, Price reprises his role from the original film, and newcomer Brett Halsey is ...
[35]
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1987) (Western Animation) - TV Tropes
"Son of Return of The Fly II"; "The Incredible Shrinking Turtles"; "It Came From Beneath the Sewers"; "Curse of the Evil Eye"; "Invasion of the Punk Frogs" ...
[36]
The Fly Collection Blu-ray Review - Horror DNA
Rating 4.5 · Review by Robert GoldDec 16, 2019 · Return of the Fly is an interesting sequel that changes the tone from one of pathos to a tale of sabotage and revenge. By making the ...