Sweet Old Song

Distributed by Filmakers Library, 124 East 40th Street, New York, NY 10016; 202-808-4980Produced by Leah MahanDirected by Leah Mahan2001, VHS, color, 57 min. Both a human interest study of the romance and marriage of nonagenarian musician Howard Armstrong and artist Barbara Ward, and an exploration of the music they now make together, Sweet Old Song covers a lot more territory than one might realize during a first viewing. Beyond its didactic potential, the piece provides an hour of sheer entertainment, exuding the joyful spirit that surrounds Howard "Louie Bluie" Armstrong and his many artistic endeavors. Born into an African American family in the South at the turn of the 20th century, Howard Armstrong was drawn to fiddling at an early age, begging his father for an instrument, which his father made for him from a wooden crate. As a youth, Howard and his younger brothers formed a band and earned money playing at functions, in places where people gathered, or just on the street, calling out "Anyone like to hear some tunes?" to get things going in unfamiliar spots. "We could play anything," he says, and explains that white people thought African Americans were ignorant of the popular songs then in vogue, and were delighted to hear the band play one song after another as members of the audience named titles they wanted to hear. Known as "Louie Bluie," Howard Armstrong was as talented an artist as he was a musician. He drew the people and scenes around him, and infused his pictures with vibrant colors and a vivid, lifelike aura, much like the positive energy that continues to surround him in real life. As the film progresses through interviews, scenes of live concerts, and smoothly edited inserts of photographs, drawings, and other documents, we see some of the letters and cards Howard and Barbara exchanged. Howard's are elaborately illustrated, with even the envelopes revealing the writer's feelings and inner thoughts. His courtly language and gorgeous penmanship (his capital letters resemble the most elaborate engravings) add to the sentiments, which are gentle, sweet, loving, and persistent. Eventually, the correspondence and their shared adventures win Barbara's heart, and she agrees to marry Howard despite their age difference (she is 60, he 91). Scenes of them applying for a marriage license and, later, of their small, homey wedding ceremony are shown toward the end of the film. Together, Howard and Barbara make a trip to his childhood home. They visit the places she saw earlier only in his pictures, and Howard receives an honor the people in his hometown decide to bestow on him, organized by a fan who couldn't believe the town overlooked its only celebrity. The homecoming is bittersweet. Howard is the last of his generation in his family and he recalls and relates numerous instances of discrimination against African Americans. Yet his love of people, music, and living life far outweigh any resentment. That was then; this is now. Making music with Barbara and his band is too beautiful to spoil by dwelling on old offenses. Howard's example offers an important lesson. Highly recommended for middle school to adult audiences.