My Father and the Man in Black (2012)

Actors: Johnny Cash (actor), June Carter Cash (actress), Nick Smyth (actor), Ramona Diaconescu (miscellaneous crew), Doug Gillespie (miscellaneous crew), Quincy Morgan (miscellaneous crew), Geoffrey A. Cole (miscellaneous crew), Ava Torres (miscellaneous crew), Jonathan Holiff (actor), Jonathan Holiff (producer), Jonathan Holiff (director), Gary Biggar (actor), Jonathan Holiff (writer), Carol Potter (actress), Trevor Juras (actor),

Plot: After the suicide of Johnny Cash's former manager, Saul Holiff, his estranged son, Jonathon, returns home. There, Jonathon learns from his mother that his father's personal records exist in storage. As Jonathon searches through them, he discovers much about his father's life of deferred dreams in London, Ontario until he became the manager of Johnny Cash. From there, Jonathon learns of his father's hectic life managing the erratic country star with his personal demons and moods and how the material success came with a profound cost of its own for Saul. In doing so, Jonathon gets a new perspective of a father who had his problems that he never fully conquered himself.

Keywords: alcoholic, anti-semitism, born-again-christian, child-abuse, country-singer, father-son-relationship, independent-film, jew, johnny-cash, london-ontario
Genres: Biography, Documentary, Music,
Taglines: Before there was Johnny and June, there was Johnny and Saul Growing up with Johnny Cash--and the father he barely knew. Every father and son should see this movie! Don't miss the true stories behind the hit movie "Walk The Line!"

Quotes:

Johnny Cash: Saul knows his job and does it perfectly. I never worry that things aren't done. He's a perfectionist. Like my dad useta say, "Whatever you're going to be, be the best in the business. Saul is the best agent in the world. I feel sorry for guys like Presley who don't have an agent like him. [Original Source: "Want Johnny Cash? Call London, Ontario and ask for Saul Holiff;" Canadian Magazine, November, 1970]::Saul Holiff: The fact is, I couldn't find any way to justify BECOMING Johnny's manager. I thought the only way I could manage him was to come up with things that hadn't been been done before - that was part of the reason he got excited. [Original Source: TBD]

Saul Holiff: I brought Johnny in to help publicize the restaurant. We didn't hit it off at ALL. That was 1958. And then I brought him back in 1959 and we had a terrible argument - a horrible argument. And I made some remark to him, that he's "just like the rest of them. And Johnny doesn't like to think of himself as the rest of them. And he suddenly recognized me as an entity rather than just some passing face in the night. I booked him on another tour. And we hit it off. [Original Source: CFPL Radio interview 1976]::Johnny Cash: It was Saul who pushed me to take my show, and my career, to another level. I was perfectly happy where I was, doing what I loved to do and getting paid for it, but after I got to know Saul I started liking his ideas. INSTEAD of just ballrooms and dance halls around the U.S. and Canada, Saul said I should be aiming at Europe, the Orient, and big places in big cities; Carnegie Hall perhaps, the Hollywood Bowl. And that could be just the beginning. [Original Source: "CASH: The Autobiography," by Johnny Johnny Cash with Patrick Carr HarperCollins, 1997]

Johnny Cash: In late '61 we played the Big D in Dallas, Texas and my manager, Saul Holiff, said, "We need a girl singer on the show tonight. They want more than just you and your band." And I said, "Well, get one." He said, "What do you think about June Carter?" And I said, "I've always been a fan of hers." And I had, you know. I loved her work. I said, "Get her if you can." So we booked June Carter on the Big D in Dallas and then that night my manager asked if she would work the next tour with us. So she did. [Original Source: Interview with WHN Radio New York, July 4, 1980]::Saul Holiff: Dear June, It was nice talking with you the other night... even though I acted like a concerned father. This letter confirms your appearance in Des Moines. We have George Jones, Carl Perkins, and Patsy Cline and June "The Heel" Carter. I would also like to confirm you and all your assorted relatives, at Carnegie Hall, for a fee of $500. Yours, Saul. [Original Source: Letter to June Carter, December 25, 1961]::June Carter: Hi Saul, I signed the contract and returned it. As we discussed on the phone, this is our "tour price," and I was expectin' as many as 4 days. At this rate, we will just about make expenses. Let's hope the other dates come through. When I see you, we will discuss the management deal. Regards to John, Fluke, Marshall and Luther. I love you all. June. [Original Source: Letter to Saul Holiff, January 3, 1962]

Saul Holiff: Dear Barb, The Hollywood Bowl show and the party was a success beyond my wildest imagination. The food, the view, some fine singing by Johnny... people called it the party of the year! [Original Source: Letter Barbara Robinson, June 28, 1962]::Johnny Cash: Barbara, I feel my association with Saul these past months is the foundation for the new lease on life I have found. As a matter of fact, I know it. Not only have I begun to enjoy life but I am happy and excited about the way my career is zooming! Johnny. [Original Source: Letter to Barbara Robinson, October 1962]

Saul Holiff: Dear Small Sad Sam, I'm so pleased with your new attitude toward our future plans. I sincerely believe that you are capable of great things, provided you keep a level head and an even perspective. our Director of Planning, Saul. [Original Source: Letter to Johnny Cash, December 27, 1961]

Saul Holiff: Dear John Henry, I was proud of you in Daytona... no temperament... sincere effort... composure and maturity. It's clear to me that you're going to re-establish yourself at the top where you belong. Saul. [Original Source: Letter to Johnny Cash, July 13, 1962]

Saul Holiff: Barbara, Johnny has suddenly decided to end our relationship. I honestly believed that no matter how emotional and irrational he was, he was at least LOYAL. To top it off, we have a HIT RECORD! [Original Source: Letter to Barbara Robinson, July 11, 1963]

Johnny Cash: Saul, My only cure is solitude. Too many things work against my peace of mind. Only the desert with its purity and silence can help me now. Please tell them I sincerely regret these cancellations, but it's either cancel them, or cancel me for always... J.R. [Original Source: Undated Letter to Saul Holiff, circa 1964]

Johnny Cash: [On recording "Ira Hayes"] I am more full of piss and vinegar than ever. When I reach the top, I'll build another peak to climb. [Original Source: Letter to Saul Holiff, May 23, 1964]::Johnny Cash: [On "Ira Hayes" failure to penetrate the Pop Charts] Classify me, categorize me - STIFLE me, but it won't work. This is NOT a country song." [Original Source: TBD magazine ad]::Editor, "Close-Up": Mr. Cash, I am disgusted with you. You think that people who listen to Country are not intelligent. I am sorry that it was good Country and Hillbilly-type music lovers who put you where you are today. I am also sorry for you, Johnny Cash, that at your age, you have never learned the old lesson, you don't bite the hand that feeds you. You have a lot to learn and may you learn it on the way down. [Original Source: "An Open Letter To Johnny Cash," Close-Up, September, 1964]::Johnny Cash: Saul, My only cure is solitude. Too many things work against my peace of mind. Only the desert with its purity and silence can help me now. Please tell them I sincerely regret these cancellations, but it's either cancel them, or cancel me for always... J.R. [Original Source: Letter to Saul Holiff, 1964]

Saul Holiff: It seems that everyone in London is aware of a conversation suggesting a discrepancy in the attendance at the show. This rumour is vicious and has already done much to malign me. [Original Source: Letter to Johnny Cash, February 27, 1965]::Johnny Cash: Now that you have raked me over the coals, I want to tell you that you are damn sure barking up the wrong tree. Please raise hell with someone else. I've had enough for everybody. [Original Source: Letter to Saul Holiff, March 2, 1965]