The Pride of Jesse Hallam

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.

I was much moved by The Pride Of Jesse Hallam and with the performance of Johnny Cash as the prtagonist. Having known at least one illiterate person in m life I know what a trap that is to the mind.

Cash who didn't need reading skill to work in the coal mines of Kentucky's Mecklenburg County is a fish out of water when he moves to Cincinnati because his crippled daughter Chrystal Smith needs an operation on her spine. Just about every cent he's earned goes to pay for surgery and he has to find work.

An assistant principal at his son Ben Marley's new school played by Brenda Vaccaro hekps considerably even with getting him a job at her father's produce warehouse. Eli Wallach as the immigrant owner from Italy and Cash the man from the Kentucky hills form quite a friendship. Cash and Wallach have some great scenes together.

Whether you are a Puerto Rican kid raised in a group home whom I knew or a miner from rural Kentucky illiteracy is a terrible affliction. Roy Gomez whom I knew loved comic books and a very sharp woman who worked at an attorney's office was the first one who observed he loved those comics because the pictures told the story for him. I only wish he had lived long enough to remedy the situation as Johnny Cash does in The Pride Of Jesse Hallam.

The last scene is an unforgettable one. This is one really good film and a soundtrack with some Johnny Cash songs don't hurt either.

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 was 22 when this movie came out. I really enjoyed it. This was the first movie that I really ever saw Johnny Cash act in. He was truly as gifted as an actor as he was a singer. He did a good job portraying people from the area he is supposed to be from. I'm from Kentucky and on a side note, contrary to popular belief, not everybody from Kentucky is illiterate. Also, while there are plenty of coal mines in western Kentucky, there are way more in the Eastern part of the state and probably a lot more illiteracy problems too. Not sure why the writers of the movie chose for Jesse Hallam to be western Kentucky instead of eastern.

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