On Borrowed Time (DVD)

Death has come for Gramps Northrup. But Gramps has important work to do: raising his orphaned grandson. So he uses a bit of magic to trap Death in the branches of an apple tree. Clever work; Gramps! Or is it? With Death on hiatus; other folks whose time has come -- folks who are worn out; ill and in pain -- can't be released from their earthly suffering. And Gramps begins to wonder if he's done the right thing. From the beloved Paul Osborn play; this endearing fantasy of family; love and mortality moves effortlessly from rollicking to whimsical to tragic. Lionel Barrymore plays Gramps; leading a sterling cast of character stars; including Beulah Bondi; Una Merkel; Henry Travers and; as a most wry and gentlemanly Grim Reaper; Sir Cedric Hardwicke

• comedy
• drama