"Fondly Fahrenheit" is a

science fiction Science fiction (often shortened to sci-fi or abbreviated SF) is a genre of speculative fiction that deals with imaginative and futuristic concepts. These concepts may include information technology and robotics, biological manipulations, space ...

short story by American writer

Alfred Bester Alfred Bester (December 18, 1913 – September 30, 1987) was an American science fiction author, TV and radio screenwriter, magazine Editing, editor and scriptwriter for comics. He is best remembered for his science fiction, including ''Th ...

, first published in the August 1954 issue of ''

The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction ''The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction'' (usually referred to as ''F&SF'') is a U.S. fantasy fiction magazine, fantasy and science-fiction magazine, first published in 1949 by Mystery House, a subsidiary of Lawrence E. Spivak, Lawrence Spiv ...

''.

Synopsis

A rich playboy, James Vandaleur, and his expensive "multiple aptitude android" have become two aspects of a single insane murderous personality. Vandaleur's father is dead, having lost the family fortune, and Vandaleur only has the android which, if it works correctly, can bring in more than enough income to support him in the manner to which he had become accustomed. However, the android becomes erratic when his immediate environment exceeds a certain temperature—when the android is put to work in a foundry, it begins to sing and subsequently pours molten metal on the human supervisor when she investigates the singing. When the android is destroyed during a high-speed chase, Vandeleur is shown as continuing his murder spree after purchasing a cheaper model of android.

Reception

In 1999, "Fondly Fahrenheit" ranked 4th in '' Locus''s poll for the best novelette of all time. It has been included in a large number of prestigious science fiction anthologies, including '' The Science Fiction Hall of Fame'', ''

The Road to Science Fiction ''The'' is a grammatical article in English, denoting nouns that are already or about to be mentioned, under discussion, implied or otherwise presumed familiar to listeners, readers, or speakers. It is the definite article in English. ''The ...

, The Stars Around Us'' and '' Isaac Asimov Presents The Great SF Stories''.

Robert Silverberg Robert Silverberg (born January 15, 1935) is a prolific American science fiction author and editor. He is a multiple winner of both Hugo Award, Hugo and Nebula Awards, a member of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Hall of Fame, and a SFWA Grand ...

has stated that "Fondly Fahrenheit" has only one technical flaw: that there is no connection between the first paragraph and the second; he also describes it as a "paragon of story construction and exuberant style." In ''

Strange Horizons ''Strange Horizons'' is an online magazine, online speculative fiction magazine. It also features speculative poetry and non-fiction in every issue, including reviews, essays, interviews, and roundtables. History and profile It was launched in S ...

'',

Colin Harvey James Colin Harvey (born 16 November 1944) is an English former professional association football, footballer who is best known for his time as a player, coach and manager with Everton F.C., Everton. Playing career Harvey was born in Liverpool ...

said that the story "fizzles and spits and crackles like superheated bacon in a pan that's about to catch fire."

Adaption

Bester adapted "Fondly Fahrenheit" for television as ''

Murder and the Android Murder and the Android was a television movie based on '' Fondly Fahrenheit'', a 1954 story by Alfred Bester. It was broadcast on November 8, 1959, as an NBC Sunday Showcase production. The film was produced by Robert Alan Aurthur, directed by Alex ...

'', which aired on October 18, 1959 as part of the ''Sunday Showcase'' series. The episode featured

Kevin McCarthy Kevin Owen McCarthy (born January 26, 1965) is an American politician who served as the List of speakers of the United States House of Representatives, 55th speaker of the United States House of Representatives from January until he was Remova ...

in the lead role, whose name was changed to James Valentine,

Rip Torn Elmore Rual "Rip" Torn Jr. (February 6, 1931 – July 9, 2019) was an American actor whose career spanned roughly 60 years. He was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for playing Marsh Turner in '' Cross Creek'' (1983). Tor ...

as the android,

Suzanne Pleshette Suzanne Pleshette (January 31, 1937 – January 19, 2008) was an American actress. Pleshette was known for her roles in theatre, film, and television. She was nominated for three Emmy Awards and two Golden Globe Awards. For her role as Emily Hart ...

as Mari Sutton and

Telly Savalas Aristotelis "Telly" Savalas (; January 21, 1922 – January 22, 1994) was a Greek-American actor. Noted for his bald head and deep, resonant voice, he is perhaps best known for portraying Lt. Theo Kojak on the crime drama series '' Kojak'' (1973� ...

as Cotton. The episode was nominated for a 1960

Hugo Award The Hugo Award is an annual literary award for the best science fiction or fantasy works and achievements of the previous year, given at the World Science Fiction Convention (Worldcon) and chosen by its members. The award is administered by th ...

for Best Dramatic Presentation.1960 Hugo Awards

References

{{reflist 1954 short stories Short stories by Alfred Bester Androids in literature Works about fictional serial killers

Synopsis

Reception

Adaption

See also

References