Johnny Cash made his mark as an actor during his long career.
Whether he was acting tough, riding tall, or making music, Johnny Cash conveyed the same authority and authenticity on-screen that characterized his recordings and live performances. As we approach the celebration of what would have been The Man in Black’s 84th birthday — February 26 — fans can appreciate the diversity of his work in features and TV movies by sampling these seven titles.
DOOR-TO-DOOR MANIAC (1961)
The Man in Black acquits himself as an effective character actor in this tawdry yet suspenseful B-movie, playing a deranged robber who terrorizes a bank vice-president’s captive wife in her own home while his partner forces the lady’s husband to raise a ransom. Originally known as Five Minutes to Live — the name of a song Cash sings while tormenting his prey — the film received a title change before its extremely limited mid-’60s theatrical re-release. (It’s been issued under both names by various DVD distributors.)
THE ROAD TO NASHVILLE (1967)
In a bold stroke of casting, Johnny Cash plays … well, Johnny Cash. He’s just one of the many country superstars (Waylon Jennings, Hank Snow, Dottie West, Marty Robbins, and Porter Wagoner are among the others) who perform in recording studios and concert halls while a Hollywood producer (comic actor Doodles Weaver) tours Nashville in search of musical talent for a new movie.
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