Despite her undeniable and influential acting, singing and dancing talents, June Carter Cash often gets brought up as a supporting character in the legacy of formative country group the Carter Family as well as that of her third husband, Johnny Cash. Paramount+ looks to correct that with the early 2024 release of the documentary film June.
"[The film] "offers a great opportunity to realize that June was a star of television and music from an early age - decades before she became 'Mrs. Johnny Cash'," Carlene Carter, Carter Cash's oldest daughter, shared in a statement (as quoted by Deadline). "Steeped in the legacy of the Carter Family and as a solo artist, she always was —and, as seen through this film— always will remain a shining star in her own right."
Carlene continued that "while some may not fully be aware of her many talents, influence and just how much she mattered as an entertainer, this lovely documentary offers clear insight for everyone to see the true character and the joy shared."
Beyond being a strong enough vocalist to hang with her mom, Mother Maybelle Carter, Carter Cash was a skilled comedian— an ideal talent at a time when live radio and early television were integral to the spread of country music. She could do serious acting, as well, based on her roles in Robert Duvall's The Apostle (1997) and other films. As a songwriter, she shared writing credits for "Ring of Fire" with Merle Kilgore. Yet despite all of that, Carter Cash remains absent from the Country Music Hall of Fame.
June is a film by Kristen Vaurio, a producer of the documentary Going Clear: Scientology & the Prison of Belief. It premiered on Nov. 12 at the DOC NYC Festival and will begin streaming on Jan. 16.
Vaurio shared in a press release that she's "so honored to have had the opportunity to work with Sandbox Productions, Sony Music Entertainment and Maxine Productions to shine a spotlight on June. She's a woman whom many people are aware of, but few know much about her remarkable life and her deep contributions to country music. We're thrilled to work with our amazing partners at Paramount+ to bring her into the spotlight, where she belongs."
