Rotten Tomatoes
Cancel Movies Tv shows FanStore News Showtimes

On Borrowed Time

Play trailer Poster for On Borrowed Time Released Jul 6, 1939 1h 39m Fantasy Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
Tomatometer 1 Reviews 100% Popcornmeter Fewer than 50 Ratings
Gramps (Lionel Barrymore) is getting on in years, but he's not going gently into that good night. He has an orphaned grandson, Pud (Bobs Watson), to look after and protect from his conniving aunt, Demetria (Eily Malyon). So when death comes to claim him in the form of debonair Mr. Brink (Cedric Hardwicke), Gramps tricks him into climbing his magic apple tree, from which no one can escape. Gramps is delighted, but soon learns the cost of postponing death for too long.

Where to Watch

On Borrowed Time

Critics Reviews

View All (1) Critics Reviews
Pare Lorentz McCall's If you do not go to movies very often, you may enjoy Mr. Barrymore’s performance. If you see many movies, you've probably seen him play so many lovable old men you probably can't think of him but as Lionel Barrymore. Dec 27, 2023 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (6) audience reviews
Laurie K A wonderful movie with outstanding performances by the great Lionel Barrymore and Bobs Watson. This is one of those movies that you want to watch again and again. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 12/26/24 Full Review Rosemary O The only other movie that fills me with this much nostalgia would be” It’s a wonderful life.” I have watched this movie many times for so many different reasons. A glimpse of how simple life used to be, to see some great classic actors, for a warm plot line, I could go on and on. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 10/14/24 Full Review S R I saw it for the story and it was a good one. Sentimental, mystical and a homemade feel. Any portrayal of death as a character is always interesting to me. Saw on TCM. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 01/29/24 Full Review Devils A A golden oldie back in the day's when ideas were fresh and fun, thus the story of Death and a Boy is a remarkable movie!!!!! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/05/23 Full Review bearpawz A fantasy story with a heavenly ending. I adore this movie! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 10/17/22 Full Review robert p What a grand ole movie looking back into time, I give on Borrowed Time a *4* star review! Rated 4 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Read all reviews
On Borrowed Time

My Rating

Read More Read Less POST RATING WRITE A REVIEW EDIT REVIEW

Cast & Crew

View All Cast and Crew

Harold S. Bucquet

Director

Lionel Barrymore

Julian Northrup

Cedric Hardwicke

Mr. Brink

Beulah Bondi

Nellie Northrup

Una Merkel

Marcia Giles

Bobs Watson

Pud
View All On Borrowed Time photos

On Borrowed Time

On Borrowed Time (1939) On Borrowed Time (1939) On Borrowed Time (1939) On Borrowed Time (1939) On Borrowed Time (1939) On Borrowed Time (1939) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis Gramps (Lionel Barrymore) is getting on in years, but he's not going gently into that good night. He has an orphaned grandson, Pud (Bobs Watson), to look after and protect from his conniving aunt, Demetria (Eily Malyon). So when death comes to claim him in the form of debonair Mr. Brink (Cedric Hardwicke), Gramps tricks him into climbing his magic apple tree, from which no one can escape. Gramps is delighted, but soon learns the cost of postponing death for too long.
Director
Harold S. Bucquet
Producer
Sidney Franklin
Screenwriter
Alice D.G. Miller, Claudine West, Frank O'Neill
Production Co
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Genre
Fantasy
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Jul 6, 1939, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Jan 26, 2017
Runtime
1h 39m
Most Popular at Home Now