Cast
Lionel Barrymore
as Julian Northrup aka Gramps
Cedric Hardwicke
as Mr. Brink
Beulah Bondi
as Nellie Northrup aka Granny
Una Merkel
as Marcia Giles
Bobs Watson
as Pud Northrup
Nat Pendleton
as Mr. Grimes
Henry Travers
as Dr. Evans
Grant Mitchell
as Mr. Pilbeam
Eily Malyon
as Demetria Riffle
James Burke
as Sheriff Burlingame
Movie Info & Details
Release Year1939
Runtime1h 39m
LanguageEnglish
CertificationNR
GenresComedy, Drama, Fantasy
Votes31
DirectorHarold S. Bucquet
WritersClaudine West, Frank O'Neill, Alice D.G. Miller
TypeFeature Film
Rating7.6 out of 10
Cast10 credited
Also Known AsOn Borrowed Time
About On Borrowed Time
Young Pud is orphaned and left in the care of his aged grandparents. The boy and his grandfather are inseparable. Gramps is concerned for Pud's future and wary of a scheming relative who seeks custody of the child. One day Mr. Brink, an agent of Death, arrives to take Gramps "to the land where the woodbine twineth." Through a bit of trickery, Gramps confines Mr. Brink, and thus Death, to the branches of a large apple tree, giving Gramps extra time to resolve issues about Pud's future.
Directed by Harold S. Bucquet, On Borrowed Time leans on a strong ensemble — Lionel Barrymore, Cedric Hardwicke, Beulah Bondi — to carry a story that balances spectacle with character.
The film landed with audiences for its craft and performances, and remains one of the most talked-about comedy titles of 1939.
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7.6
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