On Borrowed Time

1939
Approved
1h 39m

IMDb RATING

7.7/10

2.3K

YOUR RATING

Lionel Barrymore, Cedric Hardwicke, and Bobs Watson in On Borrowed Time (1939)

A cantankerous old man takes in his beloved, orphaned grandson, whom he must protect at all costs with the help of an agent of Death and a magical apple tree.

Play trailer2:48

1 Video

13 Photos

Drama Family Fantasy

A cantankerous old man takes in his beloved, orphaned grandson, whom he must protect at all costs with the help of an agent of Death and a magical apple tree.A cantankerous old man takes in his beloved, orphaned grandson, whom he must protect at all costs with the help of an agent of Death and a magical apple tree.A cantankerous old man takes in his beloved, orphaned grandson, whom he must protect at all costs with the help of an agent of Death and a magical apple tree.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

7.7/10

2.3K

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

Videos1

Trailer 2:48

Trailer

Photos13

+ 6

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Storyline

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Did you know

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Trivia
Frank Morgan was originally cast as "Gramps" until Lionel Barrymore convinced the studio he was physically able to play the role despite his infirmities.

Goofs
The F/x in the walking scene was obvious as the scenery was moving faster than the trio walking.

Lionel Barrymore was permanently disabled at time of production. Swaying side-to-side was to give the impression of moving with a film background moving towards them in one perspective, and moving right to left as they seem to go left to right.

However, the film background was moving way faster than Lionel Barrymore appeared to be moving. It was a jogging pace as Barrymore was going baby-steps.

Pretending to walk with F/x was not a mistake yet moving faster than the actors ruins the movie magic illusion.

Quotes
Julian Northrup: I can't stand these holier-than-thou folks. If a man's a good Republican, or a mason or an elk, that's good enough for me. Live and let live, that's my motto.
Mr. Brink: Yes. You can hardly expect me to second that.

Connections
Featured in Biography: The Barrymores (2002)

Soundtracks
The Battle Hymn of the Republic
(1861) uncredited)
Music by William Steffe (1856)
Lyrics by Julia Ward Howe
One line of chorus sung a cappella by Lionel Barrymore and by Bobs Watson

User reviews61

Review

Featured review

10/10

It's truly a sacred part of my life

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.