On Borrowed Time
1939  NR  FANTASY  1h 39min
CAST— Lionel Barrymore, Cedric Hardwicke, Beulah Bondi, Una Merkel, Ian Wolfe, Phillip Terry, Eily Malyon
MUSIC— Franz Waxman  DIRECTOR— Harold S. Bucquet  BASED ON— On Borrowed Time (play), by Lawrence Edward Watkin

     An odd little tale, this film showcases Lionel Barrymore as a vigorous though aging grandfather and Sir Cedric Hardwicke as Death himself. Death, not in the usual black robes, holding gleaming scythe, but rather a proper, well-mannered gentleman calling himself Mr. Brink. To escape the deadly touch of Mr. Brink, Grandpa captures him in a strange apple tree that entraps those who climb it. With Death trapped in one place the Earth goes through a period where nothing dies, including those in great pain. Grandpa faces a dilemma: let Mr. Brink loose, thereby being the first to die, or let those around him suffer because of his actions. Good performances are the highlight of this film, which can’t decide whether to be a fantasy or a drama. Either way it’s a bit overlong with a finale that’s nothing short of corny.
OUR RATING— **