Verfluchter Mist

Illliterate and looking for work in Cincinnatti, Johnny Cash's struggles are many. His Daughter is in the hospital for a back operation, his Son is having problems adjusting to school, and Cash cannot read, so finding a job is a tremendous challenge. Eventually, Eli Wallach gives Cash a chance to work, and also encourages him to seek help for his illiteracy. The performance by Cash is both heartfelt and heartbreaking. This certainly is not a big movie. This certainly is not an often explored subject, but for those looking for strong character development, along with some good acting, "The Pride of Jesse Hallam" will reward. - MERK

I am 34 years old and was born and raised in Hopkins Co. Kentucky.. right next to Muhlenberg. I just watched this movie and found it to be very inspirational. It really hit home for me.. literally. I hope others find it so as well. I have always liked Johnny Cash's music, but I hadn't seen him as an actor until now. I am going to be volunteering to help in the literacy program in my area. I see things in a whole new light after watching this movie. I'm damn proud to be from Kentucky. I feel sorry for people who judge a book by it's cover and I hope to make a difference in the lives of others myself. God Bless.. I know He sure has blessed me. MSHC

I am a musician & I've always loved Johnny.. so this was a given.. I just now saw it on country music channel...& just happened to be reading (Johnny Cash the man in Black) his biography... gave me chills! I would Highly recommended...for any fan of JC & anyone who likes a good solid movie!... My mom loved it too... I am a BIG horror fan, but music movies are always cool! True to form, Johnny plays a REAL person. He's been through it all, drugs, divorce, the hard life on the road, & it shows in his performance here. He is a natural actor (as are most musicians, not all though), He really made it nice, I'm going to buy this if I can find the DVD!

There are 25 million functional illiterates in the United States, and this film made for television is purportedly based upon events in the life of one of them, Jesse Hallam, portrayed here in typically wooden fashion by Johnny Cash, primarily about Hallam's troubles after moving to a large city (Cincinnati). Hallam, a miner since 14 from the Coal Fields sector of Western Kentucky in Muhlenberg County, has no choice but to leave his country home when his young daughter requires spinal surgery in the Ohio metropolis, paid with cash in advance obtained from the sale of his property after his wife's death. He pits his native intelligence and work ethic against the problem of not being able to read or write, and discovers that in order to support himself and his two children, he must become literate; scenes involving the methods used in developing his new skills are the most engrossing of the production. Brenda Vaccaro plays Marion Galucci, vice-principal of the high school which Jesse's son Tom attends, doing her best with an underwritten role as Hallam's mentor, and one must appreciate the spirited performance of veteran Eli Wallach as her father Sal, employer and sponsor of the erstwhile coal miner. Adequately helmed by television director Gary Nelson, the work's stature rises from fine camera-work by Gayne Rescher, while Cash sings several appropriate songs on the sound track, which features some excellent instrumental performances, including deft banjo work by Oscar Scruggs.

Mr Cash has always been a champion for the down trodden who is more disadvantaged in this world than the illiterate. I have seen many movies and this one hits home not for me but for my grandfather he was illiterate but he had a heart of gold no one did more to form my views of right and wrong more than he. When he passed I felt like an orphan ever since even though I have both parents today at 42. He passed in 76 he never learned to read and was dependent on the aid of his wife as the character in this movie was. This movie inspires you to go and help people learn to read I could not imagine a life not able to read it removes most of the con men out our way.Yet so many today know how to read they still follow the pied piper just like the fairy tale makes you wonder because the illiterate would see right through these politicians we have today. I remember my grandfather yelling "you crook" at the television when President Nixon resigned 8-09-1974 I was 6 rarely did he get upset hardly ever did he talk negative of another.