After watching the original 1958 "The Long Hot Summer" with Paul Newman, Joanne Woodward, Lee Remick, Arson Wells, Angela Lansbury and Anthony Franciosa I would title this TV nonsense "The Long Cold Winter" Don Johnsson is no actor so do yourself a favor and watch the 1958 original to find out the superb performance by the cast, the fine directions by Martin Ritt, the beautiful Baton Rouge locations, the classic writing and off course the great soundtrack by Alex North. Just watching the beautiful Lee Remick and Joanne Woodward is enough treat, and will make you don't want to look to another woman they're truly two American peach pies.

I liked this version better than the movie version with Paul Newman, Joanne Woodward, Lee Remick, Anthony Franciosa and Orson Welles. Jason Robards version of Will Varner was more subtle than Welles in his facial expressions. Robards was the actor's actor. What a brilliant portrayal of Will Varner. Excellent performances from the leads, and I was particularly impressed by William Russ' portrayal of Jody Varner. Judith Ivey was excellent as the daughter of Will Varner that Ben Quick tries to seduce. Cybill Shepherd was very good as Eula, using her beauty and sexuality to entice every man she can. Ava Gardner had a small role. A beautiful older woman and paramour of Will Varner. Just looking at her you are reminded that not one actress in Hollywood back in Gardner's time could hold a candle to her beauty. Rent the 1951 version of Showboat if you want to drool over Ava Gardner. In the closing scene of that movie, when she brings her fingers to her lips to gently blow a kiss toward the Cotton Blossom, I tear up every time. Don Johnson made an excellent Ben Quick. His lean, toned body is shown off several times throughout the movie in various levels of undress. The scene where he and Noel finally do it is really hot. He met the challenge of this role. The young man who played Miss Minnie's helper was extremely talented. Kudos to all the supporting actors. If you haven't seen this, go do so right now.

I really enjoyed the movie. I had only seen small parts of the original movie which I did not like. This remake was much better. The emotional performance that Don Johnson gave was outstanding! I feel that all the cast members fit their parts except Judith Ivey. I'm not sure who could have done it better, but she just did not seem to fit. Cybil Shepeard and Don Johnson stole the show with their performances. I can not imagine anyone else playing those parts. This movie has something for everyone; romance, mystery, murder, comedy, and excitement. The love scene with Don and Judith is one of the best love scenes I've ever seen where no one has to say a word to get their point across. This movie is one of my favorites!!!

Saw this movie on the Romance channel. What a complete waste of broadcasting time! This adaptation cut anything of value out of the original. The casting was incredibly bad. Who would ever believe that Don Johnson's character would be interested in the character playing his supposed "love interest". The acting was quite bad as well, complete with bad southern accents. Now, for the wardrobe and hair, what the hell was going on? There was a mix of 1930's and 80's style clothes and haircuts that was just plain rediculous. Cybil Shepard was dressed in 80's sunglasses and dresses while Don Johnson kept dressing up in 30's/40's clothes. Of course, once in a while he'd have the Miami Vice outfit on as well. We kept wondering what time period the movie was set in. Even down to the cars - mixtures of cars from the 40's all the way up to 80-something GMC pickups. The general store had ladies boots (and everything else) that looked like they were borrowed from the Little House on the Prarie set. Then you would see Igloo coolers on a shelf. The thing I really don't get is, if it WAS set in the 80's, then why the hell didn't they use air conditioning?Stupid, stupid, waste of time and space piece of garbage. Makes me mad to think about it!