A Cold Wind in August

Lola Albright

Alexander Singer's A Cold Wind in August, from 1961, is an impactful B picture that illustrates a May to September romance. Shooting on location in New York, Singer uses the story of mismatched lovers to picture the cultural dislocation of urban America in the early 60s. The premise borders on that of a pornographic short. During a heat wave, teenaged Vito, whose father is the building's super, goes to the apartment of Iris, an upscale stripper and prostitute. Spark fly and after a couple of Bloody Marys, so does Vito's virginity. Soon he is skipping stick ball with his pals to tryst with Iris. Eventually, he learns The Truth and thus the lesson endeth.

The film verges on exploitation, but Singer's skill with his cast lifts the picture above the routine. There are no jarringly bad performances. Scott Marlowe is fine as Vito. He is ten years too old for the role, but captures the youthful awkwardness of his character. However, Lola Albright, as Iris, is the cynosure of the film. Iris is punished by society, but Singer films her with empathy. It is easy enough to evoke this as Iris bumps and grinds in front of elderly, slobbering yahoos, but Singer also views her transgressive desire for Vito with sympathy. After all, are women not equally attracted to the young and beautiful. As a bald, elderly, slobbering Wahoo, I think the answer is obvious. Singer views Iris as a woman and not a cautionary figure.

Herschel Bernardi gives an understated and effective performance as Iris' sugar daddy. Joe De Santis also gives a deft performance as Vito's father. He avoids any marinara slathering and hits notes of rueful wisdom. Singer's talent seems to have been submerged in television, but a scanning of his impressive credits indicates he kept his hand in the game.