(drumroll)
(rousing orchestral fanfare playing)
(fanfare ends)
(muffled rockabilly music playing in distance)
(muffled music acoustics vibrate loudly)
(keys jingling)
(music grows louder and clearer)
(crow caws)
(rockabilly music continues)
(guitar plays "Walk the Line"intro)
(keys jangling)
(music grows louder)
(men shouting excitedly)
(clapping and stomping in time with music)
(muffled music playing in other room)
MAN: M-Mr. Cash?
(guitar twangs slow melody)
Mr. Cash?
MAN: J. R...
(man humming soulfully)
J.R., turn it off and get to sleep.!
Change it,J.R.
Turn it off.
(changing radio stations)
(girl singing on radio)
Guess which Carter that is.
Anita?
- MAN: (over radio): That's fine. - Nope. June.
That was little ten-year-old June singing for you.
And what was the name of that number now?
(June speaks indistinctly)
MAN (banging on door): Turn it off!
Do I have to come in there?!
(radio stops playing)
Let's get to bed.
(distant train whistle blowing)
It's hot.
It's going to be hotter tomorrow.
Maybe Daddy will quit us early
and we can go fishin'.
We'll go fishin' Saturday.
Daddy needs a good day from us tomorrow,J.R.
I know.
Jack?
Mm-hmm?
How come you're so good?
I ain't.
You pick five times more than me.
Well, I'm bigger than you are.
You know every story in Scripture.
You know every song in Mama's hymnal.
Songs are easy.
(chuckling)
They ain't for me.
There's more words in the Bible than in Heavenly Highway Hymns.
Look,J.R., if I'm gonna be a preacher one day...
I got to know the Bible front to back.
I mean, you can't help nobody if you can't tell them
the right story.
Said by noon it's gonna be 104.
Them radio stations will say anything
to get them niggers off.
Ray, why don't you letJ.R. Take the babies in?
I told Roz we'd have a crop yesterday.
What do I say when he pulls up here and we're shy?
You ready to unload that piano?
We're not selling Daddy's piano.
And I'm not the one in Bartstown
drinking every Saturday.
(singing)
(both singing)
(imitating Bugs Bunny): Eh, what's up, Doc?
(both laughing)
Whoa!
(both laughing)
What, what did that rooster say
when he was all blown up by the TNT
and picking his feathers up outside that henhouse?
"F-Fortunately, boy, I keep my feathers numbered
for just such an emergency."
(laughing)
(saw whining)
(saw whining loudly)
(whistling)
(loud bang)
(machine clanks, shuts down)
I got it, I got it.
Can we go soon?
Mr. Coles gave me a dollar to cut the whole pile...
and not half.
Go on ahead,J.R.
Catch a fish.
The worm on a hook.
Drop it in a brook.
If things go right...
you'll fry some fish tonight.
Where you been? Where you been?
Throw that pole down.
Get in the car! In the car!
(woman humming soulful tune)
(humming)
(weakly): J.R.
(humming continues)
(gasping)
You hear them,J.R.?
You hear them angels?
I can hear 'em, Jack.
They're so beautiful.
Beautiful.
Jack?
Do something!
(woman singing on radio)
(glass breaking, screen door slams)
(radio playing)
(banging and crashing)
(radio continues playing)
You know what that is,J.R.?
You know that is coming out of there?
Stop it, Ray.
Nothing!
Nothing, that's what that is.
That's what that's worth.
And that's what you are.
CARRI E: Leave it alone, Ray.
He didn't do this.
RAY: The devil did this!
He took the wrong son!
- (girls crying) - Stop it, Ray.
RAY: He was my best, and now he's gone!
Jack, please, don't leave me alone.
- CARRI E: Ray! - RAY: Quiet! Quiet!
Everybody quiet!
(railroad crossing bell ringing)
(train whistle blowing)
(knocking on door)
You're going to miss your bus.
MAN (over radio): Communist troops have been driven out of Seoul, Korea...
by U.S. Forces led by General Douglas MacArthur.
(turns off radio)
Oh. (laughs)
What's that?
Anybody seen Tommy?
He's leaving, Ray. Come on.
JOHNNY: Don't start crying, Mama.
Be careful with that rifle,J.R.
Yeah, I will, Mama.
Last month, that Pervis boy got confused and shot himself.
RAY: Ain't going to be no battles, Carrie.
He's going to Germany.
The war is in Korea.
I love you.
I love you, too.
Take this.
Thanks, Mama.
Take care of yourself, Donzil.
Take care of my sister, too.
I will.
Hey, Tommy, be a good boy.
You're gonna miss your bus.
Yeah.
(birds chirping)
(indistinct conversations)
JOHNNY (whispering): I saw this church in Dusseldorf...
made of limestone, big as a train station.
We could get married there and go to Venice.
That's in Italy, Viv.
The streets are made of water, I ain't kiddin'.
VIVIAN: Johnny, I haven't seen you for two years.
We only dated for a month.
My daddy says there's something wrong with you.
Well... what do you say, Viv?
I mean... I thought you said you loved me.
I do.
Oh, I do.
Then don't be scared.
You tell him that.
You tell him I love you, too.
He says that's impossible.
He says that you hardly know me.
Well, I know perfect when I meet it.
MAN: Let's go, Cash!
(clears throat)
Viv, listen, baby...
you tell your daddy I'm your man.
Tell him we're gonna make a family
and I'm gonna be on the radio, 'cause I am.
You tell him we're gonna have a nice house
and we're gonna be happy.
And we're gonna live in Memphis.
And you tell him I'm gonna love you forever.
- Do you promise? - That's a promise, Viv.
Do you hear me?
That's a pro...
Five minutes was up five minutes ago.
NARRATOR: I am Folsom Prison.
At one time they called me "Bloody Folsom."
And I earned the name.
My own prisoners built me.
Every block of my granite
is cemented by the blood of many men.
Is it any wonder a man sometimes went berserk
and fought the hated walls that shut him in?
GUARD: Knock it off!
You knock it off and get to sleep!
NARRATOR: This was a common thing in those old days.
(fades into background): I had so little work for them to do...
(guitar playing)
(singing)
(mutters)
(singing)
(muttering)
(speaking quietly)
(singing)
(footsteps)
(song ends)
(baby fussing)
(man singing on radio)
You gonna try today, John?
Really try to sell something?
What does that mean?
I cleaned out
your case last night, and, baby, all I found
were peanut bags and music magazines.
I need you to think about
what my daddy offered.
(radio continues)
Viv, I'm trying.
I mean, I'm really trying to sell stuff.
(ends)
(doorbell rings)
Hello, ma'am.
I'm from Home Equipment Company
over on Summer, and we have a lot of...
...enamel colors that you can choose from
that we can...
Hello. I'm John Cash
and I'm from the Home Equipment Company on Summer.
WOMAN: LaQuisha!
LaQuisha, who is it!?
You are late, man.
(bottles rattling)
(band tuning up)
(man singing blues faintly)
(singing)
(singing continues)
(music continues)
(tuning instruments)
Little higher.
A little... yeah, a little higher.
Now play the chord.
Let's hear your E, Marshal.
There's my E.
WOMAN: Lulubelle, time to come in!
Jack! Jack, get in here!
- Let's go. - Jack!
Let's go, John.
(singing)
(singing continues)
(singing)
(Vivian sobbing)
(song ends)
Viv?
- (knocking) - Viv, open the door.
(whispers): Viv.
(turns on radio, woman singing)
Viv, don't embarrass me.
You know who's out there watching.
I want to see my daddy.
I want to go home, John.
Please.
He's just got a job, sitting in there in San Anton...
just waiting for us. It's just sitting there...
it's just sitting there waiting...
Viv, the guys are here.
My band is here in Memphis.
Your band?
John, your band?
Your band is two mechanics who can't hardly play.
Baby, can't you hear the difference between you and that?
You have your wife
and your baby in a dump, John...
and another one on the way...
and we can't even make rent, John.
(rhythm and blues playing)
(music stops)
Excuse me, sir.
Are you the owner of this place?
That's me.
Hello, I'm J.R. Cash.
Sam Phillips.
Well, good to meet you, Mr. Phillips.
I'm a singer and I've got a band...
and we've been working on some songs.
You want to cut a record, son? It's four dollars.
What about the guys there on the wall in the pictures?
I mean, they pay four dollars?
They're on my label.
How do I get on there?
You audition.
Right now?
Call my secretary, Marion, when she comes back.
She's at the salon.
She'll set you up an appointment next month.
I can't wait that long, Mr. Phillips.
Excuse me?
I can't wait that long.
What about this one?
I can iron it.
John, you can't wear that one.
It's black.
It's the only color shirt we all have.
Nothing wrong with black.
It looks like you're going to a funeral.
Maybe I am.
(Johnny singing)
(men singing)
(singing continues)
Hold on.
I hate to interrupt...
but do you guys got something else?
I'm sorry.
I can't market gospel.
No more.
So that's it?
I don't record material that doesn't sell, Mr. Cash...
and gospel like that doesn't sell.
Was it the gospel or the way I sing it?
Both.
Well, what's wrong with the way I sing it?
I don't believe you.
You saying I don't believe in God?
J.R., come on, let's go.
No. I want to understand.
I mean, we come down here, we play for a minute...
and he tells me I don't believe in God.
You know exactly what I'm telling you.
We've already heard that song a hundred times...
just like that, just like how you sang it.
Well, you didn't let us bring it home.
Bring... bring it home?
All right, let's bring it home.
If you was hit by a truck
and you were lying out in that gutter dying...
and you had time to sing one song, huh, one song...
people would remember before you're dirt...
one song that would let
God know what you felt about your time here on earth...
one song that would sum you up...
you telling me that's the song you'd sing?
That sameJimmie Davis tune we hear on the radio all day?
About your peace within and how it's real
and how you're gonna shout it?
Or would you sing something different?
Something real, something you felt?
Because I'm telling you right now...
that's the kind of song people want to hear.
That's the kind of song that truly saves people.
It ain't got nothing to do with believing in God, Mr. Cash.
It has to do with believing in yourself.
Well, I've got a couple songs I wrote in the Air Force.
You got anything against the Air Force?
No.
I do.
J.R., whatever you're about to play...
we ain't never heard it.
(guitar strumming)
(singing)
(singing continues)
(guitar strumming)
(instruments playing)
(electric guitar plays melody)
(band continues playing)
(thunder rumbling)
(rain falling)
(door opening)
Where you been?
Are you drunk?
(sighs)
What happened?
He didn't like our gospel.
So I played him some songs that I wrote.
We made a record, Viv.
I mean, a real, real record.
We did it like, like six times.
I had to sing the song over and over again.
And, uh, and playin' it.
And you should have seen Marshall.
He was so nervous.
But I mean, we made a real record
- of my song. - Oh, baby.
- Of my song. - Oh, baby.
(piano plays "Lewis Boogie")
(singing)
(playing piano)
Never seen nobody play like that.
(piano playing)
(singing continues)
(cheering)
ANNOUNCER: Ladies and gentlemen...
The KillerJerry Lee Lewis!
(applause, cheering)
Get yourselves a pine box, boys...
nobody follows The Killer.
ANNOUNCER: These next boys have just put out
their first record called "Cry, Cry, Cry"
- and it is selling like hotcakes. - Shoot, now I'm late.
Oh, my gosh!
Excuse me. That's my cue.
Oh, no, you... oh, that's stuck...
right on my dress.
Hey, Bill!
- Let me get... - Hold on, Bill... I'm comin'!
- (audience laughs) - Uh... Oh, my.
I think I hearJune Carter's voice, ladies and gentlemen.
(applause)
I'll be right there, Bill, I'll be right there.
- (audience laughs) - Uh, reckon when, June?
Well, Bill, I got tangled.
- (audience laughs) - Yeah, in what, June Bug?
Johnny Cash's guitar strap.
(laughing)
Don't worry, I can keep this funny
for at least two minutes.
And I tell you what, Bill.
He's a strapping boy, thatJohnny Cash.
And his guitar strap is pretty strappin', too.
(audience laughing)
Here. I love that Cry song by the way.
Thanks.
Ladies and gentlemen, Miss June Carter.
- (applause) - Bill!
Bill, I had to come and tell you.
I had to tell you...
I had to tell you
I just can't sing tonight.
(audience groans)
You best be getting out here.
Well, Bill...
I got the laryngitis.
(laughing)
- June, we... - I do!
Y'all laughing, but I do.
(laughing)
We all just heard you hollering up a storm backstage.
Well, I didn't have it then, Bill.
(audience laughing)
(applause)
Ladies and gentlemen, Miss June Carter.
(applause)
(clears throat): All right.
June's going to be back to sing later.
Her family is also with us tonight.
But like I was saying, these boys up next
are hotter than a pistol.
They are burning up the radio
with their new hit, "Cry, Cry, Cry."
We want to make sure we
give them a big Texarkana welcome.
So here they are, folks.
New passengers on the Sun Rocking Railway-
Johnny Cash and the Tennessee Two.
(applause)
Hello.
I'm Johnny Cash.
(applause)
(playing guitar)
(singing)
(bandjoins in)
(singing continues)
(playing solo)
(singing resumes)
(song ends)
(cheering)
Thank you, thank you very much.
(singing)
Viv, I'm telling you...
I think this is the best show we've ever done.
Hell, it might be the best show I've ever seen.
No kidding!
Where are you?
Texarkana.
Baby, I miss you.
Hey, do you hear Orbison doing our song?
He turned it into a two-step, listen.
(singing continues)
You hear that?
Oh, damn it!
- (child crying) - What's the matter?
Damn it! Oh, it's Roseanne.
She just ran her head into the table.
Roseanne!
Roseanne, here, talk to Daddy.
Hey, Roseanne. Hey, it's Daddy.
(Roseanne crying)
Honey, don't, don't cry.
Daddy's going to be home real soon.
- VIVIAN: John, I have to go. - Huh?
I have to go, John.
(audience cheering)
Bye.
(singing)
(guitar, fiddle solos)
(singing resumes)
You're sounding good tonight, Cash.
Real tight.
Oh, thanks, man.
You want some chili fries?
Oh, no, that's all right.
She's been in the spotlight
since you and me was bitin' ankles.
They say Maybelle had a crib at the Ryman...
so she could pull her out and let her whoop and holler
and pop her back in to go to sleep.
(audience cheering)
(song ends)
(horn honks)
We're leaving in an hour, John.
All right.
J UNE: Aw, that's a sweet story, honey.
No.
Within, like, five minutes.
All right.
Everything else all right?
Okay.
I love you, too.
Bye-bye.
How you doing?
Bye.
Coffee?
JOHNNY: Yeah, and some toast, please.
Hey.
- Hey, how are you? - Good. Do you mind?
(in husky voice): No, not at all.
Did you lose your voice?
I did.
I was just singing my heart out up there.
I've got to ask you how you came up with that sound.
What sound?
That sound everybody's talking about.
Steady like a train, sharp like a razor.
Well, we'd play faster if we could.
I guess it just...
come out like that.
WAITRESS: I got to close my register.
Oh, yeah, sure.
Thank you.
Here's a picture
of my wife, Viv...
- my baby, Roseanne. - Oh, look at her.
She's beautiful.
Thanks. Got another one on the way.
- I got a little girl, too. - Yeah?
Her name's Carlene, yeah. She's about the same age.
You know when I was in the service...
I used to look at pictures of you...
you know, in magazines.
Oh.
No... no, it wasn't like that.
I mean, I... I liked your music, you know?
- Yeah? - Yeah.
I mean, I... you were, well, you are...
I mean, l-I kept track of you.
You and your family.
I listened to your voice my whole life, you know?
Me and my brother, Jack...
we always listened to your songs.
Like "Swallerin' Place."
- Yeah. - Yeah.
We liked it when you'd sing one alone.
Well, you and Jack are the only ones.
What do you mean?
I'm not really much of a singer, Johnny.
I mean, I got a lot of personality, I got sass...
I give it my all, but my sister Anita's
really the one who's got the pipes.
Well, who said that?
Everybody. My mama, my daddy.
That's how come I learned to be funny...
so I'd have something to offer.
Well... parents aren't always
the best judge of things...
if you want my opinion.
So how long you on the tour?
Another couple of weeks.
We just got on board, but...
I tell you it feels like a lot longer.
I'm sure.
I'm headed off, I'm going to the Ryman.
Why don't you tell your brother, Jack, to tune in...
and I'll sing him something.
What does he like?
Oh, that's-that's sweet, but, uh, he passed.
I'm sorry.
Were y'all real close?
Yeah.
Yeah, he's, uh...
It's funny, I ain't talked about Jack in a long time, you know?
After he died, I... I talked about him all the time...
but, uh... I guess people grew tired of it.
So I just stopped.
John?
You're tired, aren't you?
Yeah.
It'll slow down.
It will.
I better get going.
It's good to talk to you.
You, too.
Take care.
I'll see you soon.
You better tune in...
I'm going to sing you that "Swallerin' Place."
I will, I really will.
Okay.
(man singing on radio)
That's fine, that's perfect.
Yes, ma'am.
When was the last time you heard him moving around in there?
I don't know.
(radio continues)
Thought you were going to help me today, John.
You head out tomorrow.
Yeah.
Better start living life here with us when you come home...
before you have to leave again.
Hey, you know, I was thinking.
You know, maybe I could get Bob to push my dates.
I'm happy when I'm here.
I like waking up and seeing your face.
(lighter clicks)
John, those bags over there?
Hmm.
Those letters in there are ten to one from girls.
Ten to one, and they're obscene.
Reba's been trying to answer some of them...
but, you know, half of them ain't even 15...
and they are sending pictures of themselves in bathing suits.
Pictures for you to look at
while you're doing time at Folsom.
(chuckles) Oh, Viv.
This one girl, she sent you...
Viv, you know, don't even read those letters, you know...
It's just crazy right now, that's all.
You know?
Hell, you should have seen last week.
We was at the fair, and, uh...
this bus full of 4H girls pulls up, you know...
and they come piling out of there...
and they go running and screaming
after Carl and Roy, I mean running.
John... I have a casserole in the oven and your sister
in the kitchen, and I don't want to talk about the tour.
(muttering): Viv, you're the one who brought it up.
In fact, that's my new rule.
When you come home, I want to get
right down to talking about regular things.
Viv, don't give me no rules.
All I got are rules.
All I got is to be at this place at this time.
I'm trying to go there, and I'm trying to be back here
and spend time with you and the kids...
and write songs, do this-
I mean, what do you want from me, all right?
I got you your dream house, all of your things...
all the pretty little things.
I got you your car.
What do you want from me?!
I want you, John, I want you!
And I want everything that you promised to me.
Well, what if I can't do that?
(guitar playing lively beat)
(man singing on radio)
(singing continues)
Got your mind on something?
CARL: What are you doing up there, man?
I'm building a bomb.
Where we going again?
Tyler. The GeorgeJones show.
Where was it we just was?
Have another one, Carl.
Austin, Carl. That's where
y'all picked me up.
Hey, Johnny, you see the new charts?
"Cry, Cry, Cry" was 14, I think.
Yeah, I heard that. I haven't seen it.
Wherever we been, I can tell you where we're going.
Everybody in this car is going to hell.
What about the car up there?
We're all going to hell for the songs we sing.
People that listen to them, they're going to hell, too.
Shut up with that.
God gave us a great big apple, see, and He said...
"Don't touch it."
He didn't say touch it once in a while.
He didn't say take a nibble when you're hungry.
He said, "Don't touch it.
Don't think about touching it.
Don't sing about touching it.
Don't think about singing about touching it."
Well, what about me, Jerry Lee?
Am I going to hell?
No, June, you're beautiful.
Sleepy is what I am.
She's making me fall in love with her.
(laughing)
Feel my heart. Come here.
Sincerely.
Feel my heart, baby.
It's just a-beating for you.
Stop it, Jerry.
Come on, I'm falling for you, June.
(laughing)
Hey. Jerry Lee.
J UNE: Jerry Lee, stop it.
JOHNNY: Jerry Lee, just sit your ass down.
Just sit down.
MAN (over radio): The 1957 Chevrolet...
- (horns honking) - Looks like we're here.
(horn honks)
Oh, thank goodness.
Get me out of this car and all these boys.
(tires squeal)
Let's go, home sweet home, boys.
If you could just put those right there, that'd be great.
Oh, wait.
I wanted to give you that Billboard.
Oh, right.
It's in here somewhere.
You got a library in there, June.
Here it is.
I circled it for you.
- Hmm. - It's right there.
Yeah.
Fourteen.
- (laughs) - I don't believe it.
(soft chuckle)
Um, I wanted to give you this.
Yeah, I just finished it.
It's really amazing.
The Prophet?
Yeah.
Keep it.
Oh, no, you don't want to...
Whenever I finish a book, I give it away to somebody.
Just lightens my load.
John.
I just went through a terrible divorce.
I got a world of judgment on me right now.
And, um...
it's really none of my business...
but you seem like you have a nice family.
I'm sorry. It just happened.
Just happened?
Yeah.
You wear black 'cause you can't find anything else to wear?
You found your sound 'cause you can't play no better?
You just tried to kiss me, because...
it just happened?
You should try taking credit for something
every once in a while.
John.
Hey, Lou.
Hey, John.
You okay?
I'll let you know in a few minutes.
How you doing?
Okay.
That boy Elvis sure likes to talk poon.
That's all I heard since Lubbock.
Ease off, ease off.
Do you want some?
What is it?
Well, it'll just make you want
to drive all the way toJacksonville
and enjoy yourself once you get there.
Elvis takes 'em.
Yeah.
Yes, sir...
Be careful.
Here comes Marshall with his bomb.
Hey, you got your lighter,J.R.?
Yeah.
All right, you help me get up in there.
- Grab that fuse. - All right.
How long we got us after we light it?
About 30 seconds a foot.
All right.
Does your wife know how much you like to blow stuff up?
Sure she does.
That's why I married her, John.
Did you light it?
There's a bomb up here, ladies and gentlemen.
MAN: It'll go...
(indistinct mumbling)
(indistinct chatter)
J ERRY LEE: Way to go, Johnny boy.
(loud explosion and shouting)
(rock and roll music playing)
(singing)
(singing continues)
(song ends)
(applause and cheering)
Thank you.
Thank you very much.
(cheering)
How about them boys, huh?
Johnny Cash and the Tennessee Three.
You kicked it good tonight, John.
Thanks, man.
That's right, kiss his ass.
Hey, Jerry Lee, your mama know you're out?
She knows.
(laughs)
She knows.
How about thatJohnny Cash, everybody?
- (cheering) - Johnny Cash!
(applause and cheering)
(guitar strumming lively rock melody)
(applause and cheering)
(singing)
(singing continues)
Okay, now.
(instrumental interlude, women screaming)
(muffled music playing)
MAN (knocking): Mr. Cash?
Yeah?
There's a Miss Audrey Parks here to see you.
Who?
Audrey Parks.
(singing resumes)
Well, hey.
ELVIS: Oh, get it now.!
(instrumental interlude)
(baby crying)
CARRI E: Ray, why don't you say grace?
RAY: Mama, it's J.R.'s table.
Why don't you say grace,J.R.?
No, go ahead.
(singing resumes)
(indistinct shouting)
(mumbling)
Mm-hmm.
ELVIS: Yeah.!
(indistinct chatter and laughing)
(laughter)
WOMAN: Hi.
(indistinct whispering)
You'reJune Carter, ain't ya?
Oh, my.
Betsy Pervis.
Hi, Betsy. So nice to meet you.
Well, we're coming to see the show tonight.
Oh, wonderful.
This is my husband, Lloyd.
Hi, Lloyd. So nice to meet you.
Y'all wouldn't know
where the fishin' tackle is, would you?
Back of... back of them footballs on the corner.
Oh. All right, great.
Well, y'all enjoy the show, and if you have any requests...
just holler 'em out.
- Morning. - Hey.
(indistinct whisperings)
Oh, can I help you?
Oh, um, I'm looking for some lace.
Oh, the sewing store on Saticoy's got lace.
Thank you.
You know, your ma and pa are good Christians
in a world gone to pot.
Well, I'll tell 'em you said that.
I'm surprised they still speak to you
after that stunt with Carl Smith.
Divorce is an abomination.
Marriage is for life.
I'm sorry I let you down, ma'am.
(country song plays low on radio)
Hey.
(laughs): Hey.
What's funny?
Well, you've just been standing in that same spot
for about ten minutes staring at that Polly Pepper book.
(chuckles): Well... well, I can't...
I can't figure out which one Roseanne would like more.
She got brown hair, which makes me think this one.
- Right. - But this is baby sister's...
and she got a baby sister, and...
Well, I got that one for Carlene, and she liked it.
Oh, yeah?
(whispers): I missed her birthday.
- Oh. - So I wanted to get her something more...
you know, like one of these dollhouses.
But I don't know how
to get it out to her.
You want me to help you?
I think there's a lake right up around the corner.
- Got a hitch in your giddy-up? - Yeah.
Forgot how much I like this.
Hey, June?
I never used one of these fancy reels before.
Well, what'd you use, a sapling?
- Yeah. - (laughs)
Okay, hold on, I'll help you.
- It's like there's some kind of a lock on it or... - No.
My daddy taught me how to do this; I'll show you.
Keep your thumb down on the button.
That loosens the line.
And then you're gonna bring it back...
and then you're gonna throw it out there...
and then when you're ready...
if you got a good spot for it, you let go of the button.
- All right? - Side-arm?
Yeah, side-arm.
All right.
See? There you go. (laughs)
(intro to "Home of the Blues" playing)
(singing)
(song ends)
(applause, cheering and whistling)
Hey, folks, what do you say we getJune Carter out here again?
Maybe she'll, uh, sing with me.
- (loud cheering) - No, no, no, no.
Now, come on, June, I never sing with you.
I have my slippers on. I'm not coming out there.
Well, they don't care if you got your slippers on.
Come on, it's for the sake of the evening.
Folks, let's hear it: June, June...
(crowdjoins in): June, June, June, June...
- June, June, June, June... - JOHNNY: Come on, June.
Prove Elvis wrong.
He says you can't do nothing that ain't written in your calendar.
- (laughter) - June, June, June, June, June, June...
June, June, June...
June, June, June, June, June, June, June, June...
(cheering and applause)
- (laughs) - You see, June?
- They want to see us together. - All right, well...
quit that clutching on me, and I'll sing with you...
but you got to quit clutching on me.
Hi, folks. How y'all doing again?
I hope y'all don't mind my bare feet.
So, what are we gonna sing, Johnny?
You got me out here.
Is that where your plan ends?
- (laughter) - Well, uh... I always liked
that song of yours, "Time's a Wastin'."
- (cheering) - Let's do that one.
Oh, come on, I don't know about that.
How about your hit song, "Big River"?
- (applause) - That's a good song.
Well, "Big River" ain't a duet.
Uh, let's do "Time's a Wastin"'.
John, I am not gonna sing that song.
It's inappropriate.
I recorded it with my ex-husband.
- I'm not going to sing it. - (music starts)
There's no better way to put it behind you.
I'm not gonna do it.
June, let's sing.
(Johnny singing)
(June singing)
Don't do that!
Hey, June.
June?
Open up.
June, open the door.
Just leave me be, John, all right?
What?
W-What did I do?
June, it's a song.
Just please get away from me.
(R& B song playing faintly)
(water running)
(panting)
(shakes pills)
(bottle drops to floor)
(bottle rattles on floor)
(Johnny singing on radio)
(guitar solo plays)
DEEJAY: I think I hearJohnny Cash and the Tennessee Three.
They'll be playing all weekend long at the Malco.
Matinees and evening shows, along with Jerry Lee Lewis...
June Carter and Carl Perkins.
(radio continues)
(men singing)
- (singing continues) - (laughing)
It's the candy man.
Is the candy man likeJerry Lee, there?
How come you don't never try this brand of picking, Luther?
(plays bluesy riff)
What you're looking for, Waylon, I already found.
(singing resumes)
LEWIS: Well, hey, June.
Hey, Jerry Lee.
(laughter)
How you doin', John?
(laughter)
Uh...
Well, okay, June.
How you doing?
I surmise you've never been to bed.
Surmise...
We've got a show at 2:00, a matinee.
- You remember that? - LEWIS: We were just practicing.
Oh, come on, June, sit down.
It's slick here.
Not today, Jerry Lee.
Why not?
'Cause you're drunk.
MAN: Uh-oh!
- (laughing) - Whoo!
Come on, Junie, just come have a beer with us.
I'm going home tonight after the show.
I'm not here to look after y'all.
You're not?
(glass shattering)
You got somebody to do that for you, John.
You got a wife somewhere, you remember that?
Ooh!
What if I didn't?
There's too many "ifs" in that sentence.
Only one, actually.
There's only one "if" in that sentence, June.
(laughter)
L-I thought it was a good point.
There is only one.
Really?
(glass shattering)
(men shouting)
How dare you talk to me like that!
We surrender! We surrender!
What was I thinking?
I must have been crazy.
Y'all are gonna blow this tour.
You can't walk no line.
June, we ain't blowing the tour.
I am not gonna be
that little Dutch boy with my finger in the dam no more!
You're lying to yourself if you think
this is about a tour, honey.
This isn't about a tour!
This isn't about a song!
(shuffling rhythm playing)
(singing)
(singing continues)
(singing resumes)
John.
Honey, let's take a picture of Roseanne.
C'mon, say cheese!
(indistinct voices)
REPORTER: What do you think of California, Mr. Cash?
We like it. We just bought a house.
(singing continues)
(song ends)
(gulls cawing)
VIVIAN: Lunch time!
Come on in, everybody.
VIVIAN: What is this?
I've been looking for that.
That's the letter I wrote to Bob Dylan on a plane.
Hey, Mama, that's that folk singer
I was telling you about.
You wrote it on an air sickness bag, honey.
So what?
(chuckles)
What's so funny?
I was thinking maybe you ought
to try sleeping at night.
Maybe eating, maybe both.
Hey, uh, Viv, have you made your mind up about tonight?
You coming?
Okay- 'cause you're asking so nice.
(phone ringing)
I got it.
- Hello? - Music awards.
EMCEE: We got a British Invasion...
a beautiful girl from Brazil, a matchmaker from New York.
We even had a flying nanny.
In 1964...
Hey, Johnny.
Hey, Randy, how are you?
June? Hey.
Hi, John.
Been a long time.
Yeah.
Hi, Vivian, how are you?
Hello, June.
I saw you got married.
Uh, yes, I did.
Congratulations, June.
- Thank you, I appreciate that. - You're welcome.
So you think this one will stick?
VIVIAN: John!
JOHNNY: What is this, your second or your third?
- John! - I'm just asking a question.
Do not do this to me.
John!
Oh!
Hey! June, wait up. I need to talk to you.
I don't want to talk to you, John.
Hey, excuse me, fella, do you mind?
You don't look good, John.
Well, you look real nice.
So where's your truck driver?
Stock car driver.
And you'll be happy to know
that things aren't really working out between us.
It doesn't make me happy.
Well, a little it does.
I want to tour with you again, June.
I miss the tour.
I mi... I miss the music.
I got two grown girls, John.
I can't tour.
So you're just going to do a comedy act
the rest of your life?
You've got a voice, June, use it.
One week a month, that's all, all right?
You'll work for me.
You don't have to worry about bookings
or agents, or publicists or anything.
All right, one of your girls gets sick...
you stay home, and I pay you, anyways.
(strumming slow rhythm)
(singing)
(singing continues)
(strumming continues)
(song ends, audience applauds, whistles)
Thank you.
That's my mama's favorite song.
So y'all sit down, squat down, or lie down...
but make yourselves at home.
'Cause here's the one and only...
Mr. Johnny Cash!
Hello, I'm Johnny Cash.
(band begins playing up-tempo song)
(singing)
(both singing)
(song continues, audience whistles and cheers)
(singing solo)
(both singing)
(song ends)
Thank you.
WOMAN: Good to see y'all.
It's allJune.
(indistinct voices)
Thank you.
Hi, good to see you.
Thanks for coming.
MAN: What's next?
Vegas, we're booked in Vegas.
JOHNNY: Hey, June?
Yeah?
I want you to meet my parents.
Oh!
This is my mama and my daddy.
Hi!
How you doing?
It's so nice to meet you, finally.
Hi, I'm June Carter.
Miss Carter.
Nice to meet you.
And you haven't met my little girls, have you?
This is Roseanne and...
- Oh, they're asleep... - (laughs)
Ain't they sweet?
Oh, you girls are all dressed alike.
I love those yellow ribbons.
VIVIAN: June?
Yeah?
Stay clear of my children.
Vivian, I...
I was just saying hello.
You heard me.
Viv.
- Vivian, please. - No.
(uptempo rhythm plays)
(singing)
(Johnny singing)
(both singing)
(elevator bell dings)
Oh, wait, catch it.
Come on, y'all.
I got these cookies...
you're going to love 'em, man.
Highfalutin' high rollers out there.
(slow elevator music playing)
Say, Officer...
how do you get your shirts to stay that way?
So stiff?
Just starch.
(bell dings)
Huh.
It's real nice.
(laughing)
What?
Are you out of your rabid-ass mind?
(laughing)
All right, boys, good night.
Good night, y'all.
- God night. - Let me take one.
I am so sleepy...
That was a fun show tonight.
Yeah, it was.
- This is my room. - Yeah.
Hey, you want to have one of these with me?
Uh...
I don't know.
(birds chirping)
Can I have one?
John!
John, that's mean!
All right.
Wait, wait, wait, here.
I'll get a good one.
- (laughing) - You are...
You know what? You're just mean.
That's what you are.
You're mean!
Here, here.
You're a mean man.
- Don't say that. - And I knew it.
I've known it all along.
Wait a minute.
Here.
Come on, open your mouth.
No.
I don't trust you.
Don't say that.
I don't, I don't trust you.
Yes, you do.
Open your mouth.
(laughing)
You are so evil!
- Terrible! - (phone ringing)
Oh...
(phone ringing)
I best better answer it.
Hello?
Oh, hey, Carlene, what's wrong?
(sobbing over phone)
Okay, sweetie...
I can't understand what you're saying...
you're crying so hard.
I know, but you got to calm down, honey.
All right.
But everything's okay?
Yeah, I know, sweetie...
sometimes that happens.
- Sweetie, little sisters - (pills rattling)
Do stuff like that, sometimes.
You got to learn to be patient with her.
Um...
okay, well, um...
tell Linda that Mommy said it's all right for you
to have pancakes on Saturdays.
- Hey, June... I'm gonna go to my room. - All right?
Yeah, I know, sweetie.
I'm going to come home soon.
Yeah, so please don't cry.
(phone ringing)
MAN (over phone): Front desk.
Hi, could I have June Carter's room, please?
Certainly. One moment, sir.
(rapidly flicking lighter, phone ringing)
(knocking)
JOHNNY: June?
(knocking)
It's not wrong, June.
This ain't wrong.
(knocking)
June!
I'm not gonna do this, John.
I'm not gonna do this.
(band playing coda)
J UNE: Thank you so much.
- (applause) - Thank you.
Thank you so much.
MAN: Where's Johnny?!
Well, Johnny Cash will be out in just a minute.
He's been detained
for just a minute.
But we're gonna keep you entertained till then.
And we're gonna play, uh... a wonderful song...
MAN: Wait, hold on, hold on. Johnny's here.
(applause)
J UNE: Here he is!
Mr. Johnny Cash!
Hi, folks, I'm Johnny Cash.
What about thatJune Carter? Ain't she a sweetheart.
How ya'll doing?
(mutters)
(drum sticks click rhythmically)
(steady rhythm playing)
(singing)
(band singing along)
(Johnny singing)
(band singing along)
(singing continues)
Get it on, man!
Play the fucking thing!
(Johnny singing)
(doesn't finish lyrics)
(singing lyrics out of order)
(rhythm continues)
I'm okay.
Oh, my God, John?
Close the curtain.
- Get a doctor! - John! John!
Pull the curtain back!
Come on, pull it back!
- Pull it back. - Are you okay?
- Here, here, look at me. - (echoing): John? John?
Look at me.
Fortunately, I was keeping my feathers numbered
for just such an emergency.
(laughs)
- Let's get some help! - (murmuring)
Well, get him some help!
The tour's been canceled.
Who says?
We got your ticket home, John, tomorrow.
See where I'm putting it?
Right here by the phone.
Take care of yourself, John.
(door closes)
You're burning up.
Got hotter places than my forehead.
Tell me you don't love me.
I don't love you.
You're a liar.
Well, then I guess you ain't got no problems, do you?
Where's my pills?
Flushed them all.
June.
Junie, don't say that.
Hold on, all right?
L-I need those.
I need those pills!
Listen, that's just... baby, it's just...
Th-Those are my prescriptions, from the doctor, okay?
L-I nee... I need those.
(sniffles)
It burns.
It burns, it burns.
(sobs)
Mommy!
Few more minutes, pal.
(people outside speaking Spanish)
There you go.
(autoharp strumming)
(June sings softly)
(announcer speaking indistinctly over P.A.)
Mr. Cash.
(thumping)
You want to take these strings off or you want us to break it?
(reporters shouting over each other)
(clamoring voices)
Your mama was here...
your daddy, too.
What'd he say?
He said now you won't have to work so hard
to make people think you've been to jail.
Hey, Daddy.
Hey, baby.
You okay?
Yeah, I'm fine...
I'll see you in the morning.
Cindy doesn't like mustard.
The pills were legal, Viv.
You know, I got prescriptions, it's just...
You're not supposed to buy them across the border, that's all.
Other than that, it's... fine.
So the radio's lying?
Yeah.
The TV's lying?
Baby, they'll say anything to...
Your lawyer's lying?
Luther's lying, Marsh is lying, your manager...
Viv, I don't want to fight.
What aboutJune?
Does she think it's fine her new boy's a drug addict?
She left the tour, Viv, in Vegas.
Well, that explains everything, doesn't it?
- (hammering) - (uptempo rock song plays)
(man singing on record)
John!
(record continues)
(turns off music)
John, what are you doing?
It's 7:00 a.m.
The kids are getting ready for school.
I was hanging pictures.
John, please don't hang these.
Viv, they're pictures of my band.
Don't hang these.
No, I don't want you to hang these.
Viv, let go
- of the damn picture. - No.
- No, I said, please don't hang these, John. - Viv!
No!
Viv, get back here!
Viv?
Viv, get back here.
Viv, I ain't kidding!
Vivian, give me the damn picture.
Viv.
Give me the...
No!
Viv. Wai...
Don't...
- You! You! - Now, stop it. Baby, stop it!
- You pathetic excuse for a man! - All right, ba...
She will find out, you liar...
She'll find out!
She'll find out, John!
You liar!
- Stop it! - No!
You think you're perfect?!
You think you're perfect? Huh?!
- (sobbing) - Huh?!
(weeping)
No!
No.
(weeping): No!
VIVIAN (in distance): Shut the door.
(girls crying)
(car doors slamming)
(engine starts)
(girl crying in distance)
Hey, you leaving all this?
Viv?
You leaving all this?
Girls!
Girls! No!
- Girls! - (girls crying)
(acoustic guitar strumming)
(man singing)
(singing continues)
- Hey, did June call? - (singing stops)
Waylon!
Did June call?
Woman won't return my damn calls.
(glass bottles rattling)
They disconnected it yesterday.
Insufficient fundulation.
Now, come on, man, I gave you money for that.
Well, that was last month.
This is this month.
You see, I'm...
I'm a little behind
right now, and-and I need this
to turn my phone back on...
because I need to talk to my woman.
See, I'm-I'm in love with a woman...
and I need to talk to her, you understand?
I need this
to get my car out of the shop.
She lives way, way out on the edge of town.
It's the Bataan death march to get there.
You see? So, if you just go ahead and-and-and cash this.
Um, I'm sorry, Mr. Cash.
- You know who I am? - I...
- Yes, sir. - Okay.
Then just please cash
the check for me.
The bank puts an automatic hold on checks like this.
It's a large amount.
Well, if you can't cash it...
- then it's just a piece of paper. See? - Oh, don't do that.
- Please, don't. - Why, you can't cash it, it ain't nothing.
It ain't nothing.
Just a damn piece of paper.
Mama, Johnny Cash is here!
Hey, girls.
Hey, Carlene, you look real look nice.
Hey, Johnny.
Mama, Johnny Cash is here!
Hi, Mother Maybelle.
Hey, John.
How are you doing?
I'm doing all right.
Hi, June.
Hi, John.
Hey, girls...
can you go inside the living room and clean up that mess?
MAYBELLE: All right, honey.
I tried to call, June, but I think there's something wrong
with your phone.
Look at you.
Have you looked in a mirror lately?
How are you gonna sing, when you can't even talk?
I got the laryngitis.
Remember?
Marry me, June.
Oh, please.
Get up off your knees. You look pathetic.
Come on.
I don't want my girls seeing somebody like this.
Come on, baby.
Where's my friend John?
What, did he get high?
Or is he incognito?
Is he gone?
'Cause I don't like this guy, Cash.
I ain't incognito.
I'm right here.
You see? I'm here.
Fine, where's your car?
Kiss and make up.
You walked here?
Yeah.
You walked here all the way from Nashville?
Yeah, walking's good for you.
See, I'm trying to get into shape, June.
It cleans out your system.
Well, it's a spiritual thing.
I'm on a love walk.
TheJune Carter Love Walk.
- And memorial. - You know what?
I'm supporting more than myself right now.
Please, do not blow another tour.
Aw, June, love's more important than a tour.
- Is that right? - Yes, it is.
Well, then start loving yourself...
so we can go back to work.
All right, June.
Hey, you keep your phone on, and I will, too.
I'll call.
I'll call you.
When you're feeling better, I'll call.
(thunder rumbling)
(singing)
(singing continues)
(singing stops)
(thunder rumbling)
(thud)
(saw buzzing in distance)
(hammering)
(men shouting in distance)
(sawing, hammering continue)
Hey, that's a beautiful house!
(horn honking)
Hey, man.
Beautiful place, man.
- Yeah? Thanks. - Uh-huh.
(phone ringing)
J UNE: Hello.
June? Hey, it's John.
Hey.
How you doing?
I'm fine, John, how are you?
Uh, yeah, doing a lot better than the last time you saw me.
Well, that's good.
I'm glad to hear that.
You still taking those pills?
No, that was...
no, that was a rough patch, uh, June.
I just needed to, uh, you know, get some time.
I'm doing better, though, now, you know?
I, uh, got out of that apartment and got this place
out in Hendersonville on a lake.
Big spread.
I heard that.
Yeah, I'm... trying to get things together.
Mm-hmm.
Are you alone on Thanksgiving, John?
Yeah.
My folks are coming down with Reba and Roseanne...
and, uh, I got this big bird...
but I don't know when to put it in the oven
or really what temperature to set it at or...
Uh-huh.
CARRI E: It is beautiful.
JOHNNY: Really lucky.
I'm really proud of you.
- You see, it goes from right up there... - Mm-hmm.
Clear across halfway around the lake.
Yeah.
What's going on down there with that tractor?
Uh, I got it stuck.
I was trying to pull out that stump, and I couldn't...
- Doing something dangerous. - Yeah, but...
That's a fine piece of equipment
to leave sinking in that mud.
Is that the way you take care of your things?
Well...
Hey.
(indistinct voices)
- Hey! - MAYBELLE: There's John.
- Happy Thanksgiving. - Oh!
Here, Carlene. (grunts)
- CARLENE: Happy Thanksgiving! - Hello, John.
- Hi. - I like this place out here.
Oh, thanks.
- Happy Thanksgiving. - Hey, Rosie.
MAYBELLE: Thank you.
- Hey. - Let's go over and meetJohn's...
House is beautiful.
Thanks. Thanks for coming.
MAYBELLE: Hey, how you folks doing?
- John, how are you doing? - Let me help you out.
- All right. - Oh, thank you, Carrie.
Mother Maybelle, that's my mama, Carrie.
Maybelle Carter, happy to meet you.
JOHNNY: This is my daddy...
- Ray. - Ray, how you doing?
- How are you doing? - Good to meet you.
- My mama, Carrie. - How are you doing?
Carrie was going to cook for y'all, but, uh...
J.R., he doesn't have a pot or a pan, so...
MAYBELLE: Well, we're more than happy to share our food with you folks.
I just moved in, you know?
- Okay, thanks, Carrie. - Come on inside.
EZRA: If you're gonna get out on some big water
like the lakes or river, you're gonna need something
that you can cast out there a pretty good ways.
Now if you haven't gotten one yet, what I want to tell you is...
you need to get you a Zebco 33.
That's about the best reel that you can get.
They don't tangle up
very much, and you can cast 'em
about as far as you want to throw 'em.
Of course, around the house there, them little farm ponds...
you don't need nothing but a cane pole and a float...
and maybe some crickets or worms, if you can dig them up.
That's all we ever had.
Zebco 33 is probably your best bet.
I boughtJune one
when she was about 12 years old. You remember that?
- That's right, I caught a lot of fish with that. - Mm-hmm.
You sure did.
So wha... what do you think, Daddy?
About what?
About the house.
It's a fine, big house, John.
RAY: It's not as big
as Jack Benny's.
EZRA: You been toJack Benny's, Ray?
Saw it on the TV.
MAYBELLE: Carrie, I was meaning to ask you...
did you teach the boys
to play?
Well,J.R. Always sang pretty...
but I don't think I could take credit for it.
MAYBELLE: I bet you did.
I bet you learned the same way I did.
- CARRI E: Oh, out of the hymnal, sure. - Hymnals.
I knew you'd say that.
But you know, you'd be surprised
how many musicians can't read
shaped notes nowadays.
CARRI E: I can't imagine.
MAYBELLE: I know, I know, but my husband's uncle...
E.M. Bays, he taught me with hymnals, too.
How about you, John? You know how to read
shaped notes?
John?
Mama asked you a question, John.
I'm really glad y'all could be here today...
especially you, Daddy.
I'm glad you came.
To dinner, and Thanksgiving and all.
(chuckling): Not everybody's here.
Jack's not here, is he?
Huh?
"Where you been?"
That's what you said to me.
Remember?
And I was 12 years old.
You's gotJack's bloody clothes...
And you said to me, "Where you been?"
Well?
Where were you?
(sighs)
I quit drinking a long time ago,J.R.
What about you?
You still taking them pills?
That'll kill you, ya know.
Yeah, well, so will a car wreck.
(chuckles)
You're sitting on a high horse, boy.
I never had talent;
I did the best I could with what I had.
Can you say that?
Mr. Big Shot.
Mr. Pill-popping rock star?
Ray.
Who are you to judge?
You ain't got nothin'.
Big, empty house.
Nothin'.
Children you don't see.
Nothing.
Big old, expensive tractor stuck in the mud.
Ray...
Nothin'.
(tractor engine starts)
Come on!
Do it!
Come on...
You son of a bitch, you.
Come on!
Do it! Do it!
Come on!
(tractor engine stalls, engine turning over)
Come on!
(tractor engine starts)
Sit in the middle this time.
JOHNNY: Come on, you son of a bitch!
John?
Oh, here's a fine piece of equipment!
John!
MAYBELLE: You should go down there to him, June.
Mama.
He's mixed up.
I am not going down there.
If I go down...
You already are down there, honey.
(tractor engine rewing)
Do it! Do it!
More, more, more!
John!
(scraping)
(screams)
John!
(crashes in water)
John!
(coughing)
John!
Ah!
John!
John.
June?
J UNE: Come on.
(June straining and panting)
(breathing heavily)
You should have left me.
(panting)
(button snapping)
(objects crashing)
(wood shattering)
(guitar strums)
MAN: John?
JACK: Go on ahead,J.R.
RAY: You know what that is,J.R.?
J UNE: Just please, get away from me.!
JOHNNY: Daddy?
John?
Hey, John?
Oh, shit! Jesus!
Hey! What?
Hey, John?
Get your ass out of here, boy!
Hey, John!
J UNE: Get out of here!
MAYBELLE: Take your poison with you!
MAN: Okay!
(car engine starts)
(tires squealing)
(birds chirping)
J UNE: Hey.
Mama and I picked these up down the road.
They're good.
It's good to see you again.
Can I get you something else?
Just stay.
Okay.
You're an angel.
(sniffles)
No, I'm not.
You been here with me.
I had a friend who needed help.
You're my friend.
But I done so many bad things.
You done a few.
That's true.
My daddy's right.
Should have been me on that saw.
Jack was so good.
He would have done so many good things.
What have I done?
Just hurt everybody I know.
I know I've hurt you.
I'm nothing.
You're not nothing.
You are not nothing.
You're a good man.
And God has given you
a second chance to make things right, John.
This is your chance, honey.
This is your chance.
MAN: Morning.
Hi, how are y'all?
Hey, June?
(parishioners singing)
It's okay.
Come on.
(continues)
(blues guitar riff playing)
(man humming)
(continues)
(slow blues guitar riff continues)
(humming and slow blues guitar picking continues)
(blues melody continues, office machines clacking)
MAN: What about the Tropicana?
MAN: What's wrong with the Opry?
He was banned after he smashed up the footlights.
MAN 2: Well, if he smashes lights at Folsom...
they're going to keep him there.
MAN: Look, Frank.
WhileJohnny was out recuperating...
the world changed.
Dylan's gone electric.
The Byrds are electric.
The Beatles are electric.
Hell, everybody's electric.
He needs a fresh sound...
and all he wants to do is cut a live album
with the same old pickers
at a maximum-security penitentiary!
You can talk to me, you know.
I'm standing right here.
And what's with the black?
It's depressing.
Looks like you're going to a funeral.
Maybe I am.
Your fans are church folk, Johnny.
Christians.
They don't want to hear you singing
to a bunch of murderers and rapists...
trying to cheer them up.
Well, they're not Christians, then.
I'm fine with you doing a live record.
Just not at a prison.
That's my compromise.
(tapping table)
January 13...
I'll be at Folsom Prison
with June and the boys.
You listen to the tapes.
You don't like 'em...
you can toss 'em.
(rhythmic clapping, whistling, musical vamp playing)
MAN: Pardon me, Mr. Cash?
M-Mr. Cash?
Mr. Cash?
Might I suggest you refrain from playing any more tunes
that remind them- the, uh, the-the inmates, that is-
well, that they're in prison?
You think they forgot?
Perhaps you and your wife could do another spiritual.
That's not my wife, Warden.
Keep asking her, and she keeps saying no.
(musical vamp, clapping and whistling continues)
You ever drink this water, Warden?
(laughs): No.
I'm a Coca-Cola man.
(rhythmic clapping, vamp continues)
(indistinct shouting)
(hooting and hollering)
All right!
(indistinct shouting)
I want to remind you, we're recording live here today...
so you can't say "hell" or "shit" or anything like that.
(cheering)
I got to tell you, I can't tell you
how many shows we done...
but this is the best audience we ever had.
I want to thank you for that.
(applause, cheering and whistling)
You know...
standing back there in your shop, catching my breath...
I come to admire you even more.
MAN: Yeah!
You see, I never had to do hard time like you...
MAN: Yeah!
...although I have on occasion...
gotten myself busted.
(cheering, indistinct shouting)
Once in El Paso, I had this bag of... Oh...
you heard about that?
You been in El Paso, too?
Well, anyways...
I felt tough, you know?
Like I'd seen a thing or two, you know?
Well, that was till a moment ago...
'cause I got to tell you, my hat's off to you now.
'Cause I ain't never had to drink this yellow water
you got here at Folsom.
- (applause and cheering) - All right.
(applause, cheering and whistling)
(glass breaking)
This song's for your warden.
(singing)
(cheering)
Boom!
(shouting part of next lyric)
(singing continues)
(cheering)
- (cheering and whistling) - (song ends)
(upbeat instrumental playing softly on radio)
In the back.
JOHNNY: Hey, June.
June.
(quietly): What's wrong, John?
Oh...
bad dreams, memories.
Well, you need to get some rest, sweetie.
You did good tonight.
Well, we got another show
tomorrow.
(quietly): Yeah.
Hey, listen.
The thing is...
I think it's time now, you know?
I think it's about time.
(quietly): Time for what?
For you and me
to get married.
Go to sleep, John.
I don't want to sleep.
I want to marry you...
and I'm telling you, it's the time.
Well, I am telling you, with 100% certainty...
that it is not the time.
It's not about time.
It's not the right time.
It's not even quarter to the right time.
June.
How do you know? I mean...
You haven't been clean even six months.
Come on.
Except for a honeymoon, you have not even thought
about what you're asking me.
Yes, I have.
I have. That's all I've thought about.
Well, how's it going to work, John?
Where we going to live?
What about my girls?
- What about your girls? - Well...
What about your parents, John?
Your daddy won't even look at me.
June, that stuff will just work itself out.
No, it does not work itself out.
People work it out for you...
and you think it works itself out.
You're scared.
What?
You're scared of being in love.
You're scared of losing control.
And you know what, June Carter?
I think you're scared of living in my big fat shadow.
- That's your problem. - Oh, really?
- Yeah. Yeah, it is. - Is that my problem?
My problem is it's 2:00 a.m.
My problem is I'm asleep.
I'm on a tour bus with eight stinking men.
Rule number one- don't propose to a girl on a bus.
You got that?
Rule number two- don't tell her
it's because you had a bad dream.
June?
What?
Marry me.
Okay.
Well, that's...
that's the last time I'm asking.
Well, good.
I hate reruns.
(crickets chirping)
(indistinct chatter)
Hey, June?
June?
WOMAN (on TV): What's that, dear?
June?
MAN (on TV): I said...
(indistinct voices on TV)
WOMAN: What's that, dear?
(laughter on TV, indistinct voices)
What, you're not talking to me?
You are not allowed to speak to me tonight.
After that stunt you pulled on the bus...
the only place you're allowed to speak to me is on stage.
- Do you understand? - What did I do?
I don't know. Why don't you ask your big fat shadow?
Come on, baby.
Baby, baby, baby, baby, baby.
(Johnny singing)
(song ends)
(applause, cheering and whistling)
All right, thank you.
(clears throat)
I don't know if y'all know who wrote that song...
but it's this long-legged gal standing right here...
Miss June Carter.
(applause and cheering)
Thanks, ya'll. Thank you very much.
So, uh, June, you going to stand over there all night...
or you want to come over here and sing with me?
I'll sing with you, Mr. Cash.
You sure that's what you want?
Yeah.
All right. Okay.
(applause and cheering)
Well, folks, what do you say?
(indistinct shouting)
You want to hear, uh, "Jackson"?
(applause and cheering)
All right.
Thought you was gonna wax poetic a little bit longer.
No, I'm done with that, June.
Oh, okay, good.
(picking mid-tempo intro)
(both singing)
(singing stops)
Sorry for the interruption, folks...
but, uh, I got to ask June here a question
before we finish this song.
What's that, John?
Will you marry me?
Why don't we just sing the song, John?
No, darling.
Come on, finish the song.
People want to hear us sing.
Sorry folks, but, uh...
I just can't do this song anymore...
unless she's gonna marry me.
It'd just be like we're lying.
You got these people all revved up, John.
- Now come on, let's sing "Jackson" for 'em. - You got me all revved up.
I've asked you 40 different ways
and it's time you come up with a fresh answer.
Please, sing.
I'm asking you to marry me.
I love you, June.
Now I know I said and done a lot of things...
that I hurt you, but I promise I'll never do that again.
I only want to take care of you.
I will not leave you like that Dutch boy
with your finger in the dam.
You're my best friend.
(whispers): Marry me.
All right.
Yeah?
(cheers)
In case none of y'all heard, she said "yes"!
(cheers)
(laughs)
She's finally said "yes".
Grandpa, here, let's talk on this.
What do you want me to do with it?
Well, you... you listen and you talk.
It's a tin can telephone.
And the sound goes up the string.
Hello, grandgirls. Hello, grandgirls.
Can you hear us?
Hello, Roseanne.
Hello, Carlene.
You got to pull it tight, Daddy.
Come on, Grandpa. Talk.
Speak, Grandpa.
- Tell us a story. - Speak.
- Grandpa! - Tell us a story.
Here, you take it, talk to them.
No, they want to talk to their grandpa.
I don't got no stories. You got all the stories, Shooter.
Why don't you tell them about the flood?
Tell them about how you made a boat out of the front door
and got us all out of there.
They'll like that.
Tell us!
Come on, tell 'em.
You got to pull the string tight.
It was 1937...
(faint): There was a flood.
(rockabilly music plays)
(Johnny singing)
(June singing)
(both singing)
(song continues)
(guitar solo)
(singing resumes)
(singing continues)
(music fades)