TV The Long Hot Summer The Long Hot Summer 5.182/10 by 11 users When drifter Ben Quick arrives in a small Mississippi town, Will Varner, a family patriarch, sees Ben as a better choice to inherit the family business than his only son, Jody. Will therefore tries to push Ben and his daughter Clara into marriage. Clara is initially reluctant to court Ben, and Jody senses that Ben threatens his position. Details Casts Posters Images Title The Long Hot Summer Alternative Titles O Mercador de Almas, Flammender Sommer - Der lange, heiße Sommer First Air Date 1985-10-06 Last Air Date 1985-10-07 Number of Episodes 2 Number of Seasons 1 Genres Drama, Networks NBC, Casts Don Johnson, Jason Robards, Judith Ivey, Cybill Shepherd, Ava Gardner, William Russ, Wings Hauser, Stephen Davies, Alexandra Johnson, Albert Hall, William Forsythe Plot Keywords , Ben Quick Don Johnson Will Varner Jason Robards Noel Varner Judith Ivey Eula Varner Cybill Shepherd Minnie Littlejohn Ava Gardner Jody Varner William Russ Wilson Mahood Wings Hauser Alan Stewart Stephen Davies Mrs. Stewart Alexandra Johnson Armistead Howlett Albert Hall Isaac William Forsythe Billy Quick James Gammon Wilk Rance Howard Houstin Bill Thurman Ratliff Robert Wentz Cecilia Howlett Irma P. Hall Deputy Hampton Joe Berryman Lisa Patricia Rendleman Auctioneer Norman Bennett Lew Jerry Haynes Byron Nora David Stump Jim Clancy Jecori White Don Simmons