On Borrowed Time

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 ****

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 charming tale of an orphaned boy, his grandfather, and Death is a must-see for so many reasons. It is such a sweet story so cleverly played out by a wonderful cast through humorous, heartwarming, and tear jerking moments. The final touching scene will leave anyone with a heart in tears.

I won't go into the story line--anyone interested in this movie will have already read about it. I will say though that the reason Gramps gets to make the wish that anyone climbing his apple tree must remain there until he releases them is clearly explained beforehand. Following his wife's death, he pays the preacher very well for his services, and Pud tells him that anyone who does a good deed gets to make a wish, and it will come true.

Lionel Barrymore is cantankerous yet lovable as Gramps. Sir Cedric Hardwicke plays Death perfectly--solemn, calm, matter-of-fact. Bobs Watson is remarkable as Pud, crying more believably than any child actor I've ever seen. I also found Una Merkel's portrayal of Marcia Giles, the good-hearted young woman who helps the Northrup family, to be very sweet and moving.

What a wonderful, heartwarming classic!

I have been searching for this film for some time. My dad had a poor copy of it and used to drag it out anytime we had a close relative pass away. It really has magical properties. I sometimes tear up just describing the film to people and laugh at the same time. There is so much comedy, fantasy and reality in this movie that the sadder parts are that much poignant and yet sad isn't quite the term. Hard to explain really. I also forgot how fast paced it was, not at all dull.

All I can add is that I was beat 3 out of 4 times on Ebay while bidding on used VHS tapes of this film and copies were going for as much as $30. That ought to say allot in a time when most people are dumping tapes to go to DVD.

Tonight I showed my 9 year old daughter. We laughed and cried together. It was worth it.

In point of fact we're all living On Borrowed Time and never know when the Grim Reaper will come calling. But apparently he's got a certain liking for the Northrup family because he makes a lot of calls on them in a short span of time in this film.

His first call is on Truman Bradley who is a doctor and a widower with a small son, Bobs Watson. Bradley's death leaves Watson to be raised by his grandparents Lionel Barrymore and Beulah Bondi. Although they don't know it, they've got a magic apple tree in the Northrup backyard, one where if Barrymore wishes a party is stuck in that tree. When death in the form of Cedric Hardwicke makes another call on the Northrup family, Barrymore tricks Hardwicke into climbing that tree and he's stuck there. So like in Death Takes A Holiday while Hardwicke is stuck in the tree, a lot of people start living more than they should be off their allotted time.

Running for 321 performances during the 1938 season on Broadway, Paul Osborn's play featured Dudley Digges and Frank Conroy in the roles of Grandpa Northrup and Mr. Brink (Death) respectively. Several years earlier Lionel Barrymore did a version of the David Belasco play, The Return Of Peter Grimm for the screen. That part also called for Barrymore to do many scenes with a child actor, in that film George Breakston. Louis B. Mayer must have remembered that film and thought that this play would also provide a perfect role for the curmudgeonly Barrymore's character and a child. In fact the best thing about the film is the on screen chemistry between Watson and Barrymore.

Character actress Eily Malyon who probably is best known for playing the parish housekeeper Mrs. Carmody in Going My Way has a far less sympathetic role here. She's an aunt who would like custody of young Mr. Watson because of the hefty insurance policy that Barrymore and Bondi are using to raise him. Nobody likes her, but considering the characters involved in this particular play, she meets an unusual fate.

After 71 years On Borrowed Time still retains its charm as a fantasy and Lionel Barrymore's performance is as fresh today as it was when it was filmed.