A cantankerous old man takes in his beloved, orphaned grandson, whom he must protect at all costs, including from an agent of Death with the help of a magical apple tree.
What first drew me to On Borrowed Time was the cast. It has not one, not two but three actors from It’s A Wonderful Life, in my opinion, the greatest Christmas movie ever made.
The gist of the movie is of an orphaned boy named Pud. After his parent’s death, he goes to live with his grandparents. There is a 1930’s Kramer vs Kramer custody battle between his grandparents who were legally named his guardian and his mean, spinster, Mrs. Gultch-like Aunt who really cares nothing for the boy, just his inheritance. In comes, Mr. Brink aka Death, and makes visits to people who are on the brink of life and death. Grandma is the first to go and upon realizing that his clock is ticking and his grandson Pud would have a shit time with his aunt tricks Brink into climbing a tree and barricades him there prohibiting his or anyone else’s eminent passing.
On Borrowed time is a strange movie, with a feel of promoting death. Mr. Brink kills the parents, grandparents, and spoiler alert he unprecedentedly kills the kid.
Lionel Barrymore as Gramps is almost as cantankerous as Mr. Potter. He uses slang, not caring what anyone else thinks but unlike his hardened character against George Bailey he does the right thing, or what he believes to be in order to save his grandchild from the evil Wicked Witch of the West.
Beulah Bondi, plays a well-rehearsed Mrs. Baileyesque as Grandma, and while she dies relatively early in the film leaves a lasting impression and is ever-present throughout the film.
Henry Travers plays Dr. Eveans, and like Clarence is the voice of reason believing Gramps when he says Mr. Brink is in that tree. Travers is also well seasoned in playing a doctor which he also appears as in Dark Victory and Dodge City both of which were made in 1939.
With the exception Pud annoying me to death On Borrowed time was an interesting movie. It was strange yes, but held my attention and was an interesting portrayal of the idea of meeting your maker.
This sounds really different and interesting. I’m going to check it out. Thanks for the recommendation.