The Forgotten Wife
Anyone who was a fan of the late Johnny Cash knew of his marriage to June Carter. They were like the royal couple of Country Music back in the day. Now thanks to the SXSW Film Festival and Amazon Prime Video, fans can be introduced to the first love of Johnny Cash’s life, Vivian Cash in My Darling Vivian.
My Darling Vivian
This film basically explores the love story of Vivian Liberto and Johnny Cash through interviews with their four daughters. However, it also includes rare video footage, photos and the many love letters exchanged between the two during their courtship. These came in written form and in recorded letters from Cash while he was stationed in Germany.
They had met at a roller skating rink and while the exact details of their meeting varied between the sisters, it didn’t change one important fact. Johnny Cash immediately fell in love with the exotic looking Vivian. This love exudes from their constant correspondence. Vivian kept a diary, notating every letter, every card she and John exchanged. At first glance, it appeared to be a perfect romance. John proposed to Vivian in one of his letters and they were married not long after John got out of the service. Nine months later the first of their four daughters, Rosanne was born.
The Rocky Road
The trouble in their relationship began when Johnny started his music career and his reliance on alcohol and pills. The trouble that brought, along with the fame, began to put a strain on their marriage. Vivian was a private person. All she wanted was to raise her children with her husband by her side. She eschewed the limelight. But as the road and John’s addictions began to take hold, she found that she was struggling to compete. When he moved her and the family away from Tennessee and toward California, it marked the beginning of the end to their marriage.
The addition of June
The addition of June Carter to the equation only added to the turmoil. June was the polar opposite of Vivian. While Vivian preferred the quiet life, June grew up in a show biz family. She knew the pressures that entailed and the pitfalls of that kind of life. So while Vivian tried to understand what John was going through, June was probably more supportive, because she was there. Although Vivian didn’t see it that way. Most wives would not.
Eventually, the drugs and the separation took its toll and it became apparent that the marriage was over. But it never changed how Vivian felt about John. She would always love him. And she made sure the relationship between the children and their father was a good one.
Moving On
They both eventually moved on. John with June and Vivian with Police Officer Dick Distin. And while Vivian was happy in her new life, and her grandchildren, she never forgot John. In fact, after June passed away and before John did as well, she paid him a visit along with the children. It was a nice visit and she discussed with him a book she was writing about their marriage. Unfortunately, it was the last time she would see him before he passed. Within two more years, Vivian also passed away.
Vivian’s death preceded the film Walk the Line with Joachin Phoenix playing Johnny. The girls were very unhappy about the way their mother was portrayed in the film. Roseanne believed that her mother passed away before the film so she would not have to deal with that portrayal. They believe this film more accurately showed their mother and the love story she had with Johnny. A love she had until the very end.
Thoughts
If you have seen Walk the Line, this film will surprise you. It is very apparent that there was so much more to Vivian Cash than was revealed in Walk the Line. Watching it gives the viewer a better understanding of their relationship and the love they shared. It also makes one feel sorry for the way her role in Johnny’s life was pretty much dismissed. The musical tribute after Johnny’s death is a testament to that. She is barely acknowledged with even a tribute to her by country singer Rodney Crowell being removed from the televised version.
So for fans of Johnny Cash, this documentary will open some eyes. More importantly, it helps to share a glimpse of Vivian Cash and her forgotten love story with Johnny.
The love letters are a special touch. They remind me of the stack of letters I have from my wife when we were first getting to know each other online. Her in Richmond, VA and me in Jonesboro, AR. I kept them all, including her business cards that she wrote little notes on. For those of you with a romantic side, these references can’t help but make you think Awwww💕. If so, you should definitely check this film out.
Senior Writer at GeekVibesNation – I am a 50 something child of the 70’s who admits to being a Star Trek/Star Wars/Comic Book junkie who once dove head first over a cliff (Ok, it was a small hill) to try to rescue his Fantastic Four comic from a watery grave. I am married to a lovely woman who is as crazy as I am and the proud parent of a 18 year old boy with autism. My wife and son are my real heroes.
