A Cold Wind in August

A Cold Wind in August

Year: 1961

Runtime: 80 mins

Language: English

Director: Alexander Singer

RomanceDrama

An evocative drama about a shy teenager who becomes enthralled by his enigmatic, tender yet world‑weary older neighbor. Drawn together by curiosity and longing, the older woman’s confidence and experience clash with his youthful innocence, exploring the fragile, often painful boundaries of love and desire.

Melancholic
Sad ending
Moderately emotional
Medium intensity
Steady pacing
Simple story

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – A Cold Wind in August (1961)

Explore the full timeline and setting of A Cold Wind in August (1961). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Location

New York City, Newark

The story unfolds in Iris's New York City apartment, a private urban space where she hides her past and contemplates her present. The Newark burlesque show marks the film's entry into a glamorous but morally complex nightlife. The setting juxtaposes a quiet city apartment with the bustling, risky world of live performances.

🗽 New York City 🏙️ Newark

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 18:40

Main Characters – A Cold Wind in August (1961)

Meet the key characters of A Cold Wind in August (1961), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Iris Hartford - Lola Albright

Iris is a former burlesque-stripper living a protective, private life in New York. Her passion and independence drive her to care for the desperate husband while guarding her sexual history. She experiences a dangerous emotional pull toward Vito, blurring boundaries between privacy, love, and desire.

💃 Burlesque past 💔 Forbidden love 🔒 Secrecy

Vito Perugino - Scott Marlowe

Vito is the 17-year-old son of the apartment building superintendent. He is initially swept up by Iris's charisma and beauty, but his jealousy and idealism clash with the realities of her life. His relationship with Iris exposes his vulnerability, stubborn assumptions, and the clash between youth and adult choices.

💫 Youthful longing 💔 Jealousy 🌀 Obsession

Papa Perugino - Joe De Santis

Papa Perugino is Iris's desperate and practical husband who relies on Iris to perform to support him. He embodies the pressures of debt, obligation, and the need to secure work in a harsh urban economy. His request for Iris to join the Newark show sets the dramatic events in motion.

🎭 Theatre ties 💼 Debt and obligation 🤝 Family ties

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 18:40

Major Themes – A Cold Wind in August (1961)

Explore the central themes of A Cold Wind in August (1961), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

💘 Forbidden Love

Iris's relationship with Vito starts as a dangerous attraction that quickly grows beyond casual flirtation. The 17-year-old is underage by many social norms, creating a taboo dynamic that complicates both their lives. The revelation of Iris's occupation shatters Vito's idealized image of her and tests the strength of their bond. The romance becomes a focal point of risk, secrecy, and moral tension that drives the plot.

🌀 Obsession

Iris experiences an all-consuming longing for a kind of emotional and physical closeness she has never felt before. Her desire for Vito blurs boundaries between affection and possession. She clings to the relationship even as jealousy and insecurity begin to erode its foundation. The fixation pushes her toward emotional vulnerability and risky choices.

🎭 Dual Lives

Iris leads a double life as a private woman and a burlesque performer, a secret that defines her power and peril. The Newark show exposes a public identity that conflicts with the private tenderness she shows Vito. The tension between image and reality drives the couple apart as truth reshapes their trust. The theme underscores the costs of concealing one's true self in pursuit of connection.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 18:40

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Explore Movie Threads

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Melancholic forbidden romances like A Cold Wind in August

Intimate, doomed affairs that explore the painful boundaries of love and desire.If you liked the poignant, tragic feel of A Cold Wind in August, explore more movies about illicit romances with a melancholic tone. These films feature intimate, character-driven stories of doomed affairs that challenge social norms and end in sobering disillusionment.

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Narrative Summary

These stories typically follow a linear progression from initial, intense connection to the inevitable painful separation. The central conflict arises from the societal or personal barriers that make the relationship unsustainable, leading to a climax of shattered illusions and a somber, reflective ending.

Why These Movies?

Movies are grouped here for their shared focus on the bittersweet pain of forbidden love, their steady, intimate pacing that builds emotional weight, and their melancholic tone that results in a sad, sobering conclusion about the fragility of idealized relationships.

Coming-of-age stories of shattered innocence like A Cold Wind in August

Stories where a young protagonist's idealism is broken by a harsh encounter with reality.Fans of A Cold Wind in August may enjoy these poignant coming-of-age dramas where a young person's innocence is lost through a transformative, often painful relationship. These movies explore the delicate moment when idealism meets the complexities of the real world.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern involves a young protagonist being drawn into the orbit of a complex adult, often through fascination or desire. This relationship serves as a catalyst, exposing the protagonist to secrets, lies, and adult complexities that irrevocably shatter their innocent perspective, leading to a more somber, knowing state.

Why These Movies?

These films share a core theme of a young person's painful transition into adulthood, driven by a pivotal relationship. They are unified by an earnest, sometimes lonely mood, a steady pacing that allows for character depth, and a conclusive feeling of sadness or bittersweet wisdom gained from loss.

Unlock the Full Story of A Cold Wind in August

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A Cold Wind in August Summary

Read a complete plot summary of A Cold Wind in August, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

A Cold Wind in August Summary

A Cold Wind in August Timeline

Track the full timeline of A Cold Wind in August with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

A Cold Wind in August Timeline

More About A Cold Wind in August

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A Cold Wind in August (1961) Plot Summary & Movie Recap

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A Cold Wind in August (1961) Spoiler-Free Summary & Key Flow