August Heat (short story)
"August Heat" | |
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Short story by W. F. Harvey | |
Genre(s) | Horror, mystery |
Publication | |
Published in | Midnight House and Other Tales |
Publisher | J. M. Dent |
Publication date | 1910 |
"August Heat" is a 1910 short story by
Synopsis
On a scorching August day, artist James Clarence Withencroft draws a sketch of a criminal in the dock immediately after the judge has given him a sentence. That evening, Withencroft goes for a walk and wanders into the workshop of a
The two men are unnerved and agree that, for the sake of safety, Withencroft should stay at Atkinson's place until midnight has passed and the date changed. The story ends with Withencroft writing the day's events as Atkinson sharpens some tools: "It is after eleven now. I shall be gone in less than an hour. But the heat is stifling. It is enough to send a man mad."
Adaptations
The story has been adapted for radio four times: twice for the radio series
A comic book adaptation of "August Heat" appeared in Secrets of Sinister House #12 (July 1973), published by DC Comics with E. Nelson Bridwell adapting the story and Alfredo Alcala illustrating; this was reprinted in the 2010 trade paperback collection.
References
- ^ Horror Stories: Classic Tales from Hoffmann to Hodgson - Page 508 0199685436 Darryl Jones - 2014 - 'August Heat' was first published in Midnight House and Other Stories (London: Dent, 1910). This is the text used ...
External links
- August Heat Full text online
- Audio files of "August Heat" on Suspense (both versions) and Sleep No More
- Listen to the 1945 Suspense version with Ronald Colman
- Listen to the 1948 Suspense version with Dennis Hoey and Barry Kroeger
- Listen to the Hallmark Playhouse version with Fred MacMurray
- Information about Secrets of Sinister House #12 comic book
- August Heat title listing at the Internet Speculative Fiction Database