On Borrowed Time

Mr. Brink (Death) arrives to claim the soul of infirm, elderly Gramps Northrup. A magic trick, however, traps Mr. Brink in an apple tree and he is not able to descend. With all dying ceased around the world, old Gramps truly finds himself living ON BORROWED TIME.

This charming, albeit neglected, film holds many pleasures for the viewer. Aside from philosophical considerations - for instance, why is Mr. Brink intent on wiping out the Northrup clan? - the acting is particularly enjoyable. Lionel Barrymore, cantankerous & crotchety as Gramps, is a veritable volcano of emotions, barely contained in the wheelchair made necessary by the actor's crippling arthritis. Equally excellent, in an elegantly underplayed performance, is Sir Cedric Hardwicke as Mr. Brink. Suave, sophisticated & utterly urbane, he leaves an unforgettable impression.

The rest of the cast is also first rate: Una Merkel, Henry Travers, Nat Pendleton, Ian Wolfe, Grant Mitchell, little Bobs Watson, and especially wonderful Beulah Bondi as Granny & Eily Maylon, in arguably her finest role, as dreadful Aunt Demetria. Movie mavens will spot Hans Conried as the first motorist to pull over for Mr. Brink.

`Pismire,' by the way, is an Archaic Scandinavian word which means `ant urine.'

This is by far my favorite movie ever. The relationship between Pud and Gramps was incredible. This movie brought back many memories of my Grandfather and the relationship we had. I loved how Gramps trapped Mr. Brink (Death) up an apple tree when he came calling for him. It also showed what could happen if nobody ever died. This is a great movie for children with a message at the end that it's not that terrible pass away. My favorite line of the movie was from Gramps when he said, "I'll see you where the woodbine twinth."

Yessir. Watching this movie was a "right smart piece of time"....as Gramp declared at the end of the movie.

This is my first outing with this movie...I can almost kick myself for not recording it. What a wonderful outing it was!

Lionel Barrymore continually amazes me. He could sure play some interesting parts - and his voice is so perfect for these grandfatherly roles. My favorite of his is "You Can't Take It With You"....which is a great piece of theater, too.

I thought the child actor, Bobs Watson, was perfect in this role. Some here have said he was on the annoying side. But which 10 year-old kid isn't?? He played it to a "T" and his crying episodes were too real for me.

I never knew my grandfathers too well. They both died before I got to know them. One died when I was 4 years old and the other one died back in Cuba and I never got to see him off.

Sure, I had my grandmothers...and I loved them both so dearly. OH....to have had a grandfather like PUD does in this movie! I feel such a sense of loss when I think of what wonderful times I might have had with my grandfathers.

And this movie, sure made this topic hit close to home. I guess I will have to wait until Mr. Brink calls on me to meet my grampses...

Yessir....A Right Smart Piece of Time I spent watching this endearing movie.

***I recommend this movie to anyone who has the sense to know they have a heart __ that beats and loves and cries...but most of all, that lives...and lives on...***

A top-flight cast helps elevate this entertaining film. It's a far-fetched fable out a Mr. Brink (the Grim Reaper, played by Cedric Hardwicke), calling on people and being opposed by good 'ole grandpa (Lionel Barrymore), through some secret wishing power, banishing him to a tree in the backyard, where he can't do any damage.

Yeah, it's another film with strange theology and super powers and nothing to be taken seriously, just used for entertainment, a la today's Harry Potter films. But it's not trivial nonsense, either: it packs an emotional wallop in the viewer. You WILL get involved in this story.

Barrymore's dialog is tremendous. He's fun to hear and has some great lines directed at Hardwicke, who could also be interpreted as the Devil. He also hurls some funny insults to the evil aunt who wants to take his grandson "Pud," away from him, so she can inherit money in the process.

Bobs Watson, who plays "Pud" (nice name!) is endearing for the most part but he can wear thin on you. Bobs is a little loud and bratty and he definitely overacts. Yet, he's still likable.

Hardwicke is just about as entertaining as Barrymore. He, too, has a lot of good lines. Una Merkel, who usually plays a comedienne, plays a very sweet woman. I wish her role had been bigger in here. I've always been a fan of hers.

This is a very emotional movie. If you're the sensitive type, be prepared to laugh, get mad and even cry at certain things. It's really an unknown and different kind of film that has a lot of charm. Highly recommended.

Amazing, wonderful performances in this gentle little tale about death. Mr. Brink (Sir Cedric Hardwicke, in a true actor's turn, striking not one false chord) is Death personified. He's a decidedly un-grim Grim Reaper: smart and sophisticated, he has somehow gotten himself trapped in a tree by a little boy and his grandpa. The youngster (Bobs Watson, who goes through so many emotions so vividly, it's as if you're watching moments from your own childhood passing by) and his loving, loyal Gramps (Lionel Barrymore, outstanding) have a natural rapport which is funny, heart-rending and somehow recognizable; Henry Travers is once again perfect as a concerned townsperson and Eily Malyon is a hissable villain. Adapted from a book by Lawrence Edward Watkins, which then became a play by Paul Osborn, it's a lovely, nimble picture, providing the chance to laugh and cry--and celebrate life. ***1/2 from ****