Phoenix returns to Johnny Cash's prison stage

Joaquin Phoenix gave his Oscar hopes a boost yesterday when he toured California's Folsom State Prison - the scene of his big screen alter-ego Johnny Cash's most famous concert.

The actor and Walk The Line biopic co-star Shooter Jennings joined prison officials for a tour of the jail before Phoenix performed a brief concert as Cash ahead of a movie screening to more than 50 inmates.

Cash's 1968 show at the prison cemented the Man In Black's image as an outsider and earned him a top-selling live album.

Phoenix has become an Oscar front-runner for his role as Cash.