On Borrowed Time

1939 • 98 minutes

About this movie

Death has come for Gramps Northrup. But Gramps has important work to do: raising his orphaned grandson. So he uses a bit of magic to trap Death in the branches of an apple tree. Clever work, Gramps! Or is it? With Death on hiatus, other folks whose time has come -- folks who are worn out, ill and in pain -- can't be released from their earthly suffering. And Gramps begins to wonder if he's done the right thing.

From the beloved Paul Osborn play, this endearing fantasy of family, love and mortality moves effortlessly from rollicking to whimsical to tragic. Lionel Barrymore plays Gramps, leading a sterling cast of character stars, including Beulah Bondi, Una Merkel, Henry Travers and, as a most wry and gentlemanly Grim Reaper, Sir Cedric Hardwicke

Ratings and reviews

A wonderful but sad family movie. I had seen the movie before and recorded it from TCM. Knowing that a big part of the movie surrounded a young boy, I thought my 10 year old grandson would be interested. Boy, was he ever! Now, 2 weeks later, he wants to view it again.

As a,child this movie m are m e cry and remember forever the song beautiful dreamer . Lionel Barrymore as,always fierce and brilliant actor. Must see

Loved this movie since the first time I saw it as a child, glad to see it here on Google Play!!