The Pride of Jesse Hallam is a 1981 American made-for-television drama film starring Johnny Cash and Brenda Vaccaro. It originally aired March 3, 1981 on CBS

REAR COVER

Starring the "Man in Black" Hallam, a small-town Kentucky coal miner who must face reality when he is forced to move his family to the big city.

When his daughter requires special spinal surgery in Cincinnati, widower Jesse Hallam packs up his family and heads to the metropolis. Once there, he realises that in order to survive, he must learn to read. He puts his pride aside and takes on the daunting task of overcoming his illiteracy in a humble and touching story that is a true testament to the power of the human spirit.

The country legend also lends his musical talents to the film's soundtrack providing three original songs: "Moving Up, "I'm Just An Old Chunk Of Coal" and "Paradise"

PRODUCTION NOTES

This movie was filmed entirely on location in Cincinnati, Ohio and rural Kentucky.

The 1987 made-for-television film Bluffing It, which starred Dennis Weaver, also dealt with adult illiteracy, which was Jesse Hallam's main problem.

HOME MEDIA

The film was released on DVD in Australia by Flashback Entertainment (Cat 8879). The film was also released in the US as a bonus DVD in a 2 CD album featuring many of Johnny Cash's greatest hits.

REVIEW

Review by Gary Wells, letterboxd.com

I love it when this happens; I find pleasant viewing experiences in the strangest places. It was lunacy, I know, but I bought a 3-fer DVD set because I wanted to see Susie Lyon in Evel Knievel and also on the set was The Pride of Jesse Hallam with Johnny Cash. After watching Susie and George Hamilton jump some buses I thought I would hang onto this for the Cash film, figuring it would be a good rural/country type movie to save for times when I want that. I am seldom wrong and was right again.

In the first 10-15 minutes this TV movie sets things up very well; Jesse is a Kentucky coal miner who has lost his wife. His daughter has scoliosis and needs an operation so the family heads across the line to Cincy. There Jesse faces some racists - in this case people who are anti-hillbilly - and must hide the fact he’s hid from everyone for years. He can’t read.

What follows is a PSA that comes out alright. No, it’s not some hidden gem that needs to be rediscovered but it does well depicting the horrible plight of adult illiteracy. Pretty Brenda Vaccaro (“Mary Alice….Schwaaaarrrz”) does well as does Cash who also provides the fine music.

It has the failures of a film of this level but it scores points for its earnestness. I appreciate this effort and the sincerity of intention. Question is - how on earth did Cash come to make this film? I defy any of ya’ll to find any skinny on this TV movie anywhere.