happytrigger-64-390517 That was a great idea to get Johnny Cash as a killer who plays guitar before violent action on his victims (remember Lino Ventura in Pensione Edelweiss). Cash wasn't really prepared for acting (see his scene when he learns what bank he and his partner are going to rob, he's completely dull). But when he takes the director's bank wife as a hostage, he becomes a complete psycho and he is quite frightening, but he still lacks some real madness to reach the top (remember Arch Hall Jr in the Sadist). Imagine Timothy Carey instead.The other very fine casting is Merle Travis guitar we hear all through the movie. When Jonny Cash plays guitar, it is Merle Travis we hear and sometimes we see his hands. Merle Travis plays a virtuoso and strong guitar sound which matches perfectly with the scenes : Johnny Cash plays fascinating guitar and then gets violent. And the title song is very cynical. These are the best scenes of that very minor heist movie. The heist in itself isn't exciting at all and the ending is a complete change of tone in comic style, and we get the kid Ron Howard stealing the scene with a big laugh.So, Johnny Cash is the main attraction of this minor heist movie that would have deserved better script and direction. The noir director of photography Carl Guthrie is quite disappointing here, but don't miss the intro, I love the final close-up.

shirley3151-985-726659 This does not make sense. Why would the plot say that these killers went door to door killing whoever answered the door. That is a down right lie. No where in the movie did this ever happen!!!! It had only one motive, one event, no maniacs going door to door. I just wanted to know why it is stated that a band of killers go from door to door killing the people who answer the door. There is no band, just two characters who are involved with this bank robbery. There is basically one hostage and one ransom plea of $70,000. If you are going to rob a bank, you would not use your real name, would you? The manager of the bank discovers a wanted poster with the robber's name and picture. Too obvious.

Raegan Butcher This movie plays like a low-rent version of the Desperate Hours. The plot involves crooks who invade the home of a bank manager and hold his wife hostage while they force him to rob his own bank. This would be just another drive-in programmer were it not for the fact that none other than Johnny Cash plays the psycho who terrorizes the bank manager's wife and his restless energy is compulsively watchable. He strums his guitar and sneers. He makes lewd remarks to the June-Cleaver wife. He knocks over her knick-knacks and threatens to kill her every five minutes.He appears to rape her, though being a film from the early sixties, it was implied, rather than shown, thank goodness. (Who wants to see Johnny Cash rape a woman?) The movie itself is routine.

The_Void This film is best remembered for the fact that it stars country legend Johnny Cash is his first film role. This actually lowered my expectations for the film, as I'm not a massive fan of Cash and films that go down in history for the casting of a non-actor are often not very good...but this film has far more going for it than it's lead actor, and overall I've got to say that it's criminal that this hasn't won itself a more esteemed place in cinema history. It's clear that the film was shot on a very low budget as it features a very grainy black and white picture, a small central cast and some suspect acting from all corners; but all this stuff doesn't matter, as the screenplay is well written and there's a lot of fun to be had with this film. The plot follows a couple of guys who think they've discovered the perfect get rich quick scheme. One of them pretends to be a salesman in order to get into the house of the president of the women's association, while the other one pretends to be a customer at her husband's bank. After explaining the situation to her husband, they offer him a trade; his money or his wife.Overall, it has to be said that this little thriller isn't very original as there have been a lot of films in this same vein; but Bill Karn's film approaches it's subject with a fresh view, and the way that the director continually ensures the tone is always bleak provides a major highlight. It's easy to believe that the central character is in danger through Cash's loose cannon performance, and the way that the action focuses on two central locations; the family home and the bank, ensures that the plot always takes centre stage, and it is made interesting through its memorable cast of characters. Even though Cash wasn't predominantly an actor, his performance is really good and the way that the director lets him play his guitar makes best use of him. And on a personal note, I think it's good of Cash to put himself at risk to play a sadistic maniacal character. The rest of the support cast play second fiddle to the musical genius, but each one gives a good turn and this ensures that the film is elevated above its low budget thriller status. It all boils down to an exciting and satisfying climax that both deals fitting comeuppance, and rounds it all off nicely. Overall, this film is well worth tracking down and comes highly recommended!