On Borrowed Time

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.

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!

Where to start on a review for the fantastic classic On Borrowed Time? It's extremely well acted, and based off the thoughtful Paul Osborn play, and it will keep your interest from start to finish. However, it's so incredibly sad, it's almost impossible to sit through. I don't think there's anyone on the planet who has sat through it without using up half a box of Kleenex. So, while I highly recommend this movie, I feel bad recommending it, knowing that I'm condemning you to an evening of Kleenex and uncontrollable sobs.

Lionel Barrymore, not nominated by the Academy but awarded his first Rag award, stars as an old grandfather raising his grandson after a tragedy takes both parents in an automobile accident. His wife is Beulah Bondi, and while young Bobs Watson gets along with both, he has a special bond with Gramps. They play and laugh together, with their own little songs and jokes. There are a couple of flies in their perfect ointment, though, in a mercenary aunt who wants to take Bobs away from Lionel so that she can be his legal guardian and gain his inheritance, and in the mysterious Mr. Brink, played by Sir Cedric Hardwicke. Lionel may be old and confined to his wheelchair, but he's young at heart and shrewd in mind, and as soon as he finds out who Mr. Brink is, he tricks him into climbing a magical tree in the backyard. With Mr. Brink stuck in the tree, Lionel and Bobs have some extra time together.

You can probably tell what the movie is really about, even with my vague synopsis, because of the title. If you're any sort of Lionel Barrymore fan-and who isn't?-your heart will ache seeing him in such a tragic role. It's also sad to see him in his wheelchair, knowing that whenever he was in a lot of pain. But this movie is supposed to be sad! It's supposed to make you weep! And what else can make you weep more than Bobs Watson showing such intense feelings of love, then bursting into tears seconds later? The two are a perfect pairing together, and it's always such a marvel to see such talent in a child. Both show off every ounce of their acting chops as they treat each other gently and as if they really are part of the same family.

I first saw this jewel on TV as a child in 1950's Missouri... probably some Saturday afternoon when one of the 3 available stations had nothing else to show. 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. You'll be left with a feeling of love, fulfillment, joy and a sense of "justice achieved". If you can force your child to sit and watch a Black and White movie (sigh!) he/she will thank you in the future. It will not be forgotten by you or your child.

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...***