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On Borrowed Time

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Gramps (Lionel Barrymore) is getting on in years, but he's not going gently into that good night. He has an orphaned grandson, Pud (Bobs Watson), to look after and protect from his conniving aunt, Demetria (Eily Malyon). So when death comes to claim him in the form of debonair Mr. Brink (Cedric Hardwicke), Gramps tricks him into climbing his magic apple tree, from which no one can escape. Gramps is delighted, but soon learns the cost of postponing death for too long.

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On Borrowed Time

Critics Reviews

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Pare Lorentz McCall's 12/27/2023
If you do not go to movies very often, you may enjoy Mr. Barrymore’s performance. If you see many movies, you've probably seen him play so many lovable old men you probably can't think of him but as Lionel Barrymore. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Laurie K @RT19343410 12/26/2024 A wonderful movie with outstanding performances by the great Lionel Barrymore and Bobs Watson. This is one of those movies that you want to watch again and again. See more Rosemary O @RT93911447 10/14/2024 The only other movie that fills me with this much nostalgia would be” It’s a wonderful life.” I have watched this movie many times for so many different reasons. A glimpse of how simple life used to be, to see some great classic actors, for a warm plot line, I could go on and on. See more S R @ScottR 01/29/2024 I saw it for the story and it was a good one. Sentimental, mystical and a homemade feel. Any portrayal of death as a character is always interesting to me. Saw on TCM. See more bearpawz @bearpawz 10/17/2022 A fantasy story with a heavenly ending. I adore this movie! See more Read all reviews
On Borrowed Time

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Cast & Crew

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Harold S. Bucquet

Director

Lionel Barrymore

Julian Northrup

Cedric Hardwicke

Mr. Brink

Beulah Bondi

Nellie Northrup

Una Merkel

Marcia Giles

Bobs Watson

Pud
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On Borrowed Time

On Borrowed Time (1939) On Borrowed Time (1939) On Borrowed Time (1939) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis Gramps (Lionel Barrymore) is getting on in years, but he's not going gently into that good night. He has an orphaned grandson, Pud (Bobs Watson), to look after and protect from his conniving aunt, Demetria (Eily Malyon). So when death comes to claim him in the form of debonair Mr. Brink (Cedric Hardwicke), Gramps tricks him into climbing his magic apple tree, from which no one can escape. Gramps is delighted, but soon learns the cost of postponing death for too long.
Director
Harold S. Bucquet
Producer
Sidney Franklin
Screenwriter
Alice D.G. Miller, Claudine West, Frank O'Neill
Production Co
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Genre
Fantasy
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Jul 6, 1939, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Jan 26, 2017
Runtime
1h 39m