As this all-sung short opens, the audience sees two hearts cut into a tree, one with the name Helen, one with the name Paul. The camera pulls back to reveal the two young lovers who have carved their names thus, who seem to be very much in love. Time passes, and the hearts on the tree become a bit worn. Mist and fog roll in and a timberman appears and cuts down the tree, watched from a wooden bridge by an Old Man in a dark hat and cloak. Suddenly Helen reappears, sad and forlorn, and looks at the stump of the tree where she and her love had writ their names. The Old Man approaches Helen, telling her that he is "Old Man Blue" and that he follows her because she sent for him when her love went away. Helen resists the Old Man's powers, but eventually he leads her onto the bridge and convinces her that she should jump into the river below. Just as she is about to do so, Paul appears. He rushes to her, puts his arms around her, and they renew their love.
by Craig Butler
synopsis
