Book Vs Movie The Fly

Book Vs. Movie: The Fly

The 1957 Short Story Vs. the 1986 Movie

The Margos feature The Fly this month with special guest Patrick Bromley, who hosts the excellent F This Movie podcast. The 1957 short story and the 1986 film share the core premise of a scientist merging with a fly during a teleportation experiment, but they have different approaches. Patrick and Heather Wixson discuss this film and many other 80s horror classics in their book by AM Ink, “In Search of Darkness.”

George Langelaan’s story focuses on the emotional and ethical fallout, depicting science as perilous when unchecked. David Cronenberg’s adaptation emphasizes the grotesque consequences of scientific overreach, blending body horror with a profound sense of loss.

Langelaan’s story explores guilt, tragedy, and the limits of science, while Cronenberg’s film focuses on the horror of losing one’s humanity physically and mentally. Both versions are haunting, but Cronenberg’s film expands the original premise into a deeply personal horror, highlighting the darker sides of human ambition.

The link for Wixson and Bromley’s book In Search of Darkness from AM Ink.

Which version did we (the Margos) prefer? Have a listen to find out.

The Fly (1986) Jeff Goldblum, Geena Davis, & David Cronenberg (Special Guest: Patrick Bromley “F This Movie” podcast – Book Vs Movie Podcast
Book Vs. Movie: The Fly The 1957 Short Story Vs. the 1986 Movie The Margos feature https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0091064/ this month with special guest https://harbinger.media/3687/humans-of-harper/profile-film-professor-and-f-this-movie-podcast-host-patrick-bromley-discusses-the-magic-of-the-movies/, who hosts the excellent http://www.fthismovie.net/ podcast. The 1957 short story and the 1986 film share the core premise of a scientist merging with a fly during a teleportation experiment, but they have different approaches.

In this ep, the Margos discuss:

The origin story of Langelaan’s short story which appeared in Playboy magazine in 1957.
YouTube link for Edward E. French reading The Fly
The career of David Cronenberg
The differences between the short story and the 1986 film.
The Movie Cast: Jeff Goldblum (Seth Brundle,) Geena Davis (Ronnie Quaife,) John Getz (Stathis Borans,) Joy Boushel (Tawny,) Leslie Carlson (Dr. Brent Cheevers,) George Chuvalo (Marky) and David Cronenberg as the gynecologist.