On Borrowed Time
Tags: fantasy

Plot synopsis:
Brink (Sir Cedric Hardwicke) has recently taken Pud's (Bobs Watson) parents in an auto wreck. Brink later comes for Gramps (Lionel Barrymore). Believing Brink to be an ordinary stranger, the crotchety old Gramps orders Mr. Brink off the property. Pud comes out of the house and asks who the stranger was. Gramps is surprised and relieved that someone else could see the stranger; he was not merely a dream or apparition.
Pud tells Gramps that when he does a good deed, he will be able to make a wish. Because his apples are constantly being stolen, Gramps wishes that anyone who climbs up his apple tree will have to stay there until he permits them to climb down. Pud inadvertently tests the wish when he has trouble coming down from the tree himself, becoming free only when Gramps says he can.
Pud's busybody Aunt Demetria (Eily Malyon) has designs on Pud and the money left him by his parents. Gramps spends much time fending off her efforts to adopt the boy.
Brink takes Granny Nellie (Beulah Bondi) in a peaceful death just after she finishes a bit of knitting. When Mr. Brink returns again for Gramps, the old man finally realizes who his visitor is. Determined not to leave Pud to Demetria, Gramps tricks Mr. Brink into climbing the apple tree. While stuck in the tree, he cannot take Gramps or anyone else. The only way anyone or anything can die is if they touch Mr. Brink or the apple tree.
Demetria plots to have Gramps committed to a psychiatric hospital when he claims that Death is trapped in his apple tree. Gramps proves his story first by proving that his doctor, Dr. Evans (Henry Travers), can not even kill a fly they have captured. He offers further proof of his power by shooting Mr. Grimes (Nat Pendleton), the orderly who has come to take him to the asylum; Grimes lives when he should have died.
Dr. Evans is now a believer, but he tries to convince Gramps to let Death down so people who are suffering can find release. Gramps refuses, so the doctor arranges for the local sheriff to commit Gramps while Pud is delivered to Demetria's custody. With the help of his housekeeper (Una Merkel), Gramps tricks both of them into believing they are scheduled to go with Mr. Brink when he comes down from the tree. They beg Gramps to convince Brink otherwise, and Demetria vows never to bother Gramps or Pud again.
Gramps realizes that sooner or later he will have to let Brinks down—Death is an ultimately unavoidable part of life. He tries to say goodbye to Pud, who reacts angrily and tries to run away. Mr. Brink sees Pud in the yard and dares him to climb the tree. Pud gets over the fence Gramps has had built around the tree, but falls and is crippled for life. Distraught, Gramps lets Death down from the tree. He takes both Gramps and Pud, who find they can walk again. In the final scene, they walk together up a beautiful country lane and hear Granny Nellie calling to them from beyond a brilliant light.

Review: 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!.
Lionel Barrymore is tops as beloved "Gramp" to a newly orphaned "Pud", with Bula Bondi as the faithful "Gran", with the usual characters to round out the cast.
A beautiful "sap story" complete with evil spinster aunt, out to get her hands on the boy's inheritance, "On Borrowed Time" includes a few magic tricks and requires a good dose of suspending one's disbelief.
It stuck with me, embedded itself in my heart and soul.I later directed a scene from the published script in college as a Directing Class project.Many years later when I was between 36 and 40 years old, I showed it to my new life partner (we've been together now for 26 years) and we cherish it together as an important part of our lives.There's no way to describe the "heart" in this marvel of a film: you have to see it.
Everyone knows of evil old Mr. Potter and sweet Clarence in IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE, and who played them so well: Lionel Barrymore and Henry Travers, two splendid actors.
So they both showed up in a great fantasy film, but never appeared in the finished movie together.Fortunately, seven years earlier they did appear in this little gem.
Osborne must have liked that type of background, because (except for Pud, and a boy who steals apples) most of the characters sin ON BORROWED TIME are grown-ups, and Pud lives with his beloved Gramps (Julian Northrup) and Granny (Nellie Northrup).The plot is simply allegorical.
While Gramps keeps Brink in the tree nobody dies, but plenty of people suffer from illness beyond their time of death.
But Gramps is afraid that if he does so, he'll be taken and Pud will fall into the hands of Demetria.The film ends tragically for awhile, but satisfactorily.
I loved how Gramps trapped Mr. Brink (Death) up an apple tree when he came calling for him.
For years I was under the impression it was called "Death takes a Holiday".We had only one family television and coming to agreement on what to watch was never a cut and dry decision.This movie captivated all of us one rainy weekend afternoon so many years ago.If not for any other reason it was a wonderment to see the wicked Mr.Potter character from "It's A Wonderful Life" transformed into someone so kindly in this movie.Even if you are not a fan of older Hollywood this is the kind of entertainment that I believe is sorely lacking in todays industry.Perhaps when it was made it might have been considered light and sappy,but it tugs properly on the heart strings and portrays the business of being human beautifully.
Mr. Death or Mr. Brink in this film is needed on this world because pain is something that is "ended" when Mr. Brink comes for us.
Gramps played by Lionel Barrymore tricks Mr. Brink onto a tree that has the ability to hold on to anyone that Gramps will not grant a release from its limbs.
He tries to have Gramps committed to a mental ward and then have the Grandson "Pud" played by Bobs Watson taken away from him.
Gramps hears his beloved wife calling him at the end of the film and knows that she is waiting for him.
Death, in the person of Cedric Hardwicke, is trapped in a tree by grumpy old grandfather Lionel Barrymore.
I have always loved anything with Lionel Barrymore ever since I saw him in Key Largo, not knowing of course he was the horrid Mr. Potter from "It's a Wonderful Life".
His character comes to realize that death serves to end suffering and is in fact an angel of mercy, rather than an evil creature delighting in life lost..
This is one of the few movies I actually remember from my childhood and as a teenager beginning to process all this life/death stuff, it gave me a lot to think about.
Mr.Barrymores acting is the best I have seen yet.I watched this film with my mom for the first time,recently,we were both crying because it is a feel good movie.
I just wish to say that I saw this movie when I was 10 years old one afternoon on a weekend (I am now 34) and even though I did not know the title it has carried with me in my mind ever since.
This is a truly wonderful movie and since I was raised by my grandfather it held special significance for me.The story is wonderful and since my wife's mother just passed away at the age on 85 I am going to rent this for my wife as it will make her feel better.The only name I remember from it was Mr. Brink.
There are probably fewer than a dozen films in the history of movies that I would want to watch as often as once every...
I love movies that remind us of our own mortality, but do so in a way that also reassure us that life has more meaning than most of us can comprehend- especially when one comes to the realization that there is more to our existence than just this short time we spend on earth.
But to me this is just one more example of the importance of family, and love, and of believing in a higher power- a God who loves us.Barrymore is the main reason to see this film- that and the surprise ending.
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.
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.
That part also called for Barrymore to do many scenes with a child actor, in that film George Breakston.
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.
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..
Bobs Watson steels the movie with his "buckets of tears" performance, but you can't discount the equally exceptional performance of Lionel Barrymore, Sir Cedric Hardwicke, and the rest of the character actors.Okay, everyone is wonderful!
I have watched this movie numerous times and the older I get the more I love it.
When Dr. Evans (Henry Travers) comes to the realization that Mr. Brink is indeed trapped in the apple tree, he calls to him is a shaky, tentative voice, "Hello-o-o-o-o?" Next time you watch the movie and that scene, look at Travers and listen to him and tell me if he's not a dead ringer for Elmer Fudd!.
It is a classic and never exceeds its time.Although Pud (Watson) is dreary and a pest, you can not help but feel for the kid when he tries all he can to save his Grandpa (Barrymore).
On Borrowed Time (1939) *** (out of 4)This MGM film comes only second to their FREAKS as being the strangest movie Hollywood would deliver in the 1930's.
This fantasy tells the story of a loving grandfather (Lionel Barrymore) who wants to keep his grandson (Bobs Watson) away from his aunt (Eily Malyon) who simply wants his inheritance money from his parent's deaths.
I love searching out and viewing rather strange movies and this here has to come close to being one of the strangest fantasy films ever made.
The movie has a rather interesting premise of Death(called Mr. Brink) being retained in a tree under the whims of wheelchair bound Lionel Barrymore.
The film personifies death as a man who is trapped in an apple tree.
from Lionel Barrymore, Beluah Bondi and Bobs Watson as Pud.
But Gramps has a trick up his sleeve and manages to trap Death up a tree (!), thus preventing him from claiming any lives.In many ways, the movie does feel like a filmed play (it is based on one).
Cedric Hardwicke plays Death, named here Mr. Brink (get it?).
As i sit and watched i was spell bound with the story line the things that took place in the world as death sit in that tree.
Lionel Barrymore keeps the Grim Reaper at bay and up a tree in this film, "On Borrowed Time." Sir Cedric Hardwicke plays the gentleman who comes a calling when it's time for people to die.
The predicament of the old man and boy only gets worse, despite the fact Lionel tricked Death into going up a tree.
With Death up a tree, no one in the film could die.
This leaves orphaned "Bobs" Watson (as John Gilbert "Pud" Northrup) in the care of loving grandparents Lionel Barrymore (as Julian "Gramps" Northrup) and Beulah Bondi (as Nellie "Granny" Northrup).
However, they are both getting older, and closer to death...On the brink, Mr. Barrymore receives one special wish.
Barrymore learns she plans to send the boy to a school for girls and fears this will "make a sissy out of Pud," which must have been considered a fate worse than death, considering this film's startling but satisfying outcome...******** On Borrowed Time (7/6/39) Harold S.
Bucquet ~ Lionel Barrymore, Bobs Watson, Eily Malyon, Cedric Hardwicke.
After watching the movie, allow yourself to think about the grandfather and Pud being found by the apple tree, possibly by the nurse lady and how sad but content it all must have been..
You've got Lionel Barrymore as the grandfather of Bobs Watson, raising the boy after both parents died in a car accident.
He's a good little actor, but a little Bobs Watson goes a long way...especially for well over 90 minutes.Nevertheless, this film is worth watching.
As I said, lots to think about, and Lionel Barrymore is simply fascinating to watch, here though he was so crippled that they had to fake his walking in the scenes at the very end of the movie.
This is a totally bizarre but highly entertaining film--mostly made that way thanks to the wonderful and folksy performance by Lionel Barrymore.
When I first watched this movie, I was expecting Lionel to be a mean old man, but he wasn't.
Of course, they had to let him down--eventually.THE ENDING:Death kills all of them (their time has come--that sort of thing--nothing vile).
The film is pretty morbid when you think about it.Lionel Barrymore, that usual irascible character, does display a heart here but the ending where Death shows that it still has the upper hand is not very pleasant.
Instead, the film takes on new meanings with Cedric Hardwicke, who portrays death in its usual way.Everyone literally starts going and you have to wonder why this was their fate!Despite what the writer wanted to convey, you certainly can't have that feel good feeling at the film's end..
the boy's acting was atrocious) but for the ending, where death is revealed to be not just an essential part of life, but quite a lot of fun, better even than life.Most of the film is fairly good, despite the gimmick of making death a talking character.
I was used to that, I knew it would take two days.The next day, I watched an old movie on TV called "On Borrowed Time".It was about an old man and his grandson, who tricked Death into climbing a tree that was enchanted with a wish that whoever climbed it couldn't get down again until the grandfather said they could.
The grandfather was played by Lionel Barrymore, who by that time was so incapacitated by arthritis that all the parts he played were of an old man using a wheelchair.
The wheelchair was used to good effect in this story.Death fought back by causing anything that touched the tree to instantly die.
But I understood the story, and that the death of that child was a better thing than his life of pain.A few minutes after the movie ended, and while I was still caught up in the story, a phone call came.
Bucquet, based on a play by Paul Osborn, with a screenplay co-written by Claudine West, this above average fantasy drama with comedic elements features a recognizable cast that includes wheelchair-bound Lionel Barrymore, Cedric Hardwicke, two time Supporting Actress nominee Beulah Bondi, Una Merkel, Nat Pendleton, Henry Travers, Grant Mitchell, Eily Malyon, James Burke, and Ian Wolfe.The story is most compelling, about a man and his grandson who trap "Death" up a tree in their yard, so that no one can die until he's let down.
Barrymore's loving relationship with child actor Bobs Watson, who plays his character's devoted grandson, and Hardwicke's calm and confident, soft spoken Death are particularly noteworthy.Dr. James Northrup (Truman Bradley) and his wife (Barbara Bedford, uncredited) pick up a passenger on their way home to their son, who's staying with his grandparents Julian (Barrymore) and Nellie (Bondi) Northrup.
But Gramps doesn't think anymore about it until another boy (Dickie Jones, uncredited), and then Pud, gets stuck and are unable to climb down until he gives them permission.After Aunt Riffle fails to succeed in getting Nellie to sign custody of Pud over to her, Death (who calls himself Mr. Brink) visits John's grandmother and, tired, she goes with him willingly.
When Mr. Brink visits Gramps, a second time actually, in Pud's presence, the two conspire to get him to climb the tree to get an apple.
In fact, he tries to force Gramps to allow Mr. Brink to come out of the tree.
Without spoiling the ending, one should know that Death will eventually be invited to come down out of the tree by Julian/Gramps..
It requires a very good script, actors capable of giving a remarkable performance, and a superlative director capable of making everything come to together.On Borrowed Time is such a movie.No, it didn't have a big budget.
And Henry Travers, remembered from "It's a Wonderful Life," and Grant Mitchell, remembered from so many great movies.It is never mawkish - until the very end.
Watch it once, and you will never forget it.And you will always wish it could come true.------------------------I saw this movie again tonight, on TCM, two years after I wrote the above review, and marveled once again at how good it is.
The way the story plays now, it is as if Gramps commits suicide and also kills Pud before he goes.
A film about Death's part in life...with a little love and humor thrown in.
It'll help chip away that fear about death and make you laugh and feel all good inside.Watch out for the crotchety grandpa played perfectly by Lionel Barrymore.