The Long, Hot Summer is a 1958 film directed by Martin Ritt, starring Orson Welles, Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward. The film is based on stories by William Faulkner, primarily "The Hamlet."

The Long Hot Summer was broadcast on ABC-TV for one season from 1965-1966.

It was set in the small deep south community of Frenchman's Bend, Mississippi. The community was dominated by the aging, tyrannical Will Varner (who owned the town bank) and young Ben Quick (who'd returned after 13 years to reclaim his father's farm and challenge Varner's absolute authority). Other characters include Clara Varner, daughter of Will, sensible and strong willed, who gradually falls for Ben Quick. Jody Varner, Will's son, honest but with a weak personality. Minnie Littlejohn who runs the town's hotel, a good friend and mistress of Will Varner. Eula Harker, a farm girl, picked up one night in the rain by Jody, who became a leading character in his life and that of the town. Based on material by William Faulkner. Primarily the novel The Hamlet and the short story Barn Burning .

Like the 1958 film which preceded it in name, this series was based on material by William Faulkner, the novel "The Hamlet" and the short story "Barn Burning".

Edmond O'Brien appeared as Will Varner for the first 13 episodes of the series. He left because of disagreements with the producers, primarily over their decision to make the Ben Quick character central to the series. He was replaced by Daniel O'Herlihy.

Ben Quick arrives in Frenchman's Bend, MS after being kicked out of another town for allegedly burning a barn for revenge. Will Varner owns just about everything in Frenchman's Bend and he hires Ben to work in his store. Will thinks his own son, Jody, who manages the store, lacks ambition and despairs of him getting his wife, Eula, pregnant. Will thinks his daughter, Clara, a schoolteacher, will never get married. He decides that Ben Quick might make a good husband for Clara to bring some new blood into the family. Written by Lisa Grable