When Merle returned from the war, he wanted to direct films in Hollywood. He had been trained by the army to do informational films and managed to make connections with some of the big movie houses. He lived in Kansas and would drive out to Los Angeles, staying for months at a time. He was involved in the direction of eight different movies and wanted to be an industry man, but his wife didn't want to raise the kids in L.A. Her family was in Kansas.
Merle: Have you seen that movie, Johnny Cash?
Me: Walk the Line?
Merle: What?
Me: Walk the Line?
Merle: Yeah, Walking the Line. My life was like that. I'd call home and my kids would cry, asking when I'd be back. And my wife [makes pained dismissive gesture with hands and then puts one hand over his stomach, like he's nursing an ulcer].... And I'd be back in my pickup, driving to Kansas.
Me: --
Merle: If you ever fall in love—and you will—if that man wants to move and follow his destiny, you have your bags packed already. You do that and you'll have a happy marriage. A wife who won't move, oh God [hand over stomach], it just kills a man. Because a man is destined and any man who isn't , he just punches a clock. But a man is destined and if you love him, you move.
Me [examining the texture of the seat in front of me]: --
Merle: If you like a guy, make sure he's into what you're into. Make sure he picks up your camera and understands what you do. Otherwise [dismissive hand gesture].... Does your dad care about what you love to do? Does he ask you about what you love?
Me: Yeah, my dad's great.
Merle: What?
Me [nodding]: --
Merle [lays back in his greyhound bus seat]: That's good. That's right. You'll do fine.
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2 comments:
Did he ever make his movie?
He was involved in the making of eight movies, but his movie (something involving horses and "scenery") was never made. He cried admitting this.
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