Mr. Happy Man

Matt Morris, an award-winning filmmaker living in Winter Park, Florida, came across Johnny Barnes in the same way he has discovered all of his film subjects — by complete accident. One day, while flipping through images on Flickr, Morris stumbled upon a tourist’s photo of the 88-year-old Bermudian. He then read the caption attached to the photo and knew he had to make a film about Barnes. “Aside from the fact that I tend to make films about elderly folks,” Morris told us, “I’m fascinated with people who have chosen unique ways of living their lives and as a result are irrepressibly happy.” “I want to make films about them in part so that I can learn from them.” And so, Matt headed to Bermuda to capture “Mr. Happy Man” working his magic on Crow Lane each day.

In December, we featured a 2008 film by Mr. Morris – Pickin’ & Trimmin’, an elegant documentary that showcases the bluegrass music made in a down-home North Carolina barbershop. It’s not to be missed. Morris’ next film, Mark & Lorna, will take as its subject a lounge singing duo based out of Orlando, Florida.


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  1. Stacy says . . . | February 13, 2012 / 11:45 am

    Spread the love, Johnny Barnes! Fantastic film. We can always use a little extra love.

  2. anne says . . . | February 13, 2012 / 12:14 pm

    I LOVE YOU Johnny Barnes!

  3. tigist says . . . | February 13, 2012 / 1:01 pm

    What a blessing and God loves u and so do we…

  4. peak of eloquence says . . . | February 17, 2012 / 1:40 am

    religion is love

  5. وحید says . . . | February 28, 2012 / 1:43 pm

    دمت گرم

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