From Flower Vase to Film Emperor in Hollywood

Discussing dreams in the arena of fame and fortune, in a commodity society, is undoubtedly a foolish thing.

Sam Phillips knew this clearly, otherwise Elvis Presley's record contract wouldn't have changed hands.

But from another perspective, this is Sam's only persistence and belief.

It was with this belief that Sam discovered Elvis, achieved Elvis's glory, and even laid the foundation for the birth of rock and roll.

Similarly, it was with this belief that after losing Elvis, Sam regained his peace and continued to make music in Memphis in a down-to-earth manner.

In the arena of fame and fortune, there are still people willing to foolishly and naively believe in dreams.

That was a low point, a chaotic and dark period. No one knew whether Sun Records could revive, and of course, no one cared—

In the fifties, there were countless independent music studios like Sun Records, if not ten thousand, then eight thousand, but they all vanished in the torrent of the times. Even RCA later stepped down from its altar, and Sun Records was forgotten in a blink of an eye.

It wasn't until Sam Phillips discovered Johnny Cash that Johnny's collaboration with Sun Records achieved the glory of the American music industry in the fifties. In that distant era, Johnny's album sales exceeded ten million copies and made Sun Records a top player in the industry.

Sam and Johnny's collaboration lasted for thirty years. It wasn't until the mid to late eighties, when Johnny had passed his peak, that he switched to Columbia Records. The private friendship between the two can be said to be a legend in the fickle world of fame and fortune.

Sam made Johnny, and Johnny made Sam.

In 1986, Sam was inducted into the American Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a non-performer. Compared to Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash was the most important chapter in Sam's career.

As he spoke, Dallas entered his own world, talking incessantly, and naturally, he lost his earlier restraint.

Finally, Dallas noticed Larry and Dan John's encouraging gazes, stopped abruptly, and looked at Anson with some apprehension, worried that he might have been showing off too much just now.

"Hey, I'm just a shell, a skin. I'm not Daniel Day-Lewis."

This casual self-deprecation relaxed the atmosphere, so much so that Dallas couldn't help but scratch his head and chuckle, but he was still a little nervous—

The first scene of "Walk the Line" is also the first step to change his career, but it happens to be a difficult one.

In this scene, Sam Phillips needs to examine and judge Johnny Cash. Although without the arrogance and rudeness of the record company producers in his impression, Sam still maintains his humility; but he must show his professionalism and reject Johnny with a cold and ruthless attitude.

Yes, reject.

For Dallas, this is equivalent to giving Anson a blow to the head; and it is also the first scene of the crew's start, it is impossible not to have pressure.

Anson noticed it, because Dallas couldn't hide his expression at all, which made Anson laugh directly.

It seems that in the eyes of others, he is no different from Godzilla now.

"Oh, for the first scene, we'll start directly from the recording studio."

Dallas, "Ah!"

Unable to control himself, he exclaimed directly, and a burst of laughter erupted around him.

At Sun Records, there are two more scenes before entering the recording studio. One is that Johnny accidentally passes by and notices the record company; the other is that Johnny comes to the door in desperation, hoping to get a recording audition opportunity.

Then, Johnny comes to record.

The first two scenes are relatively simple and easy, just maintain a normal state; but because the order of the shooting scene has not been fully restored, and the selection of extras has not been completed, so the scenes in the recording studio are filmed first, which is the highlight of Johnny's audition.

Dallas only felt his knees begin to weaken.

The heartstrings that had been slightly relieved were tightened again.

Larry looked at Dallas, laughing gloatingly, "Dude, we are here to audition, but you are more nervous than us, how can that work?"

Dallas didn't feel like joking, "NG, what else can happen?"

"I don't want to NG ninety-nine times in the first scene and piss off the whole crew."

Dallas began to tear his hair out in pain.

Dan John, "Ah, the hairstyle may have to be redone. Delaying the start time."

That calm tone, without complaining or teasing, made Dallas stunned, suddenly raised his head, and looked forward blankly, with no light in his eyes, as if his soul had left home.

Larry burst out laughing, his mood completely brightened.

However, the shooting was finally ready. Regardless of whether Dallas was nervous or not, the crew, which had been delayed for so long, could no longer wait. They had to start shooting, there was no time to delay.

Outside the Sun Records Museum, tourists led by Hunter stretched their necks and tiptoed, trying to capture what was happening in the shooting scene, but everything was blocked by the building walls, and nothing could be seen.

Hunter was a little irritable—

Something was wrong. Wasn't it said that they could see the crew's shooting and seize the opportunity to visit the space inside Sun Records?

As a result, this is it?

"Attention, please look here."

Cody appeared, like a commentator for a Universal Studios tour, responsible for guiding tourists and creating atmosphere.

"The space inside the recording studio is limited. Except for the necessary staff and actors, all crew members must keep their distance to avoid entering the lens or having their voices picked up, including the director."

In one sentence, Hunter and the others' restlessness immediately subsided, and their attention was all focused. Following Cody's instructions, they indeed saw Director Mangold and the monitor in front of him, which showed the picture inside the recording studio in detail.

"Ah, Anson!"

Someone shouted, but Hunter noticed the key point immediately:

Anson was wearing a black shirt and black trousers, solemn and dignified. His tall and straight figure appeared handsome and unrestrained, easily stealing all attention in the space of the recording studio.

The image of "Man in Black" Johnny Cash immediately jumped onto the page.

But Hunter shook his head slightly in disgust.

"Johnny's temperament is tough, he's too handsome, so he doesn't look like Johnny at all."

The casting of biopics is always like this, never able to satisfy everyone.

Not far away, Mangold heard it, the breeze brought his words, "That's why people say there is only one Johnny Cash. But Johnny is also looking forward to Anson's interpretation. He said, the way he sees himself in his eyes is like this, handsome and dashing."

With a little teasing, everyone laughed.

Including Hunter.