"On Borrowed Time" is one of my favorite films from 1939, which is saying a lot since many consider 1939 the best year for American films. Because of this, remaking the story for TV in 1952 is a tall order, as surpassing it or even equaling it would be extremely difficult.
Pud (Billy Chapin) is an orphan who is being raised by his grandparent. While quite elderly and in poor health, they are determined to do their best...even if other folks are encouraging them to give Pud to another relative to raise. Soon Mr. Brinks (Melville Cooper) comes to visit Grandma...and he is the Angel of Death. So now, Gramps (Ralph Morgan) must raise the boy alone...which is going to be even tougher because relatives are trying to institutionalizing the old man. Plus, soon Mr. Brinks arrives for Gramps...though Gramps manages to trick him into climbing into a tree...and it's magical and Brinks cannot come down unless Gramps wills it! What's next?
The film is quite good, though not equal to the original. Ralph Morgan tries hard to imitate Lionel Barrymore's character in the original and does a nice job. Billy Chapin, however, is not at his best and delivers his lines too quickly. Perhaps he was instructed to do so by the director since they were cramming the story into a one hour time slot.
By the way, the casting is interesting. Billy Chapin and Billy Gray are in the film....and Chapin's sister, Lauren, soon went on to play Billy Gray's sister in "Father Knows Best". Also, both boys' characters had very similar names...Pud and Bud! Also, Ralph Morgan is the bother of Frank Morgan of "The Wizard of Oz" fame.
Pud (Billy Chapin) is an orphan who is being raised by his grandparent. While quite elderly and in poor health, they are determined to do their best...even if other folks are encouraging them to give Pud to another relative to raise. Soon Mr. Brinks (Melville Cooper) comes to visit Grandma...and he is the Angel of Death. So now, Gramps (Ralph Morgan) must raise the boy alone...which is going to be even tougher because relatives are trying to institutionalizing the old man. Plus, soon Mr. Brinks arrives for Gramps...though Gramps manages to trick him into climbing into a tree...and it's magical and Brinks cannot come down unless Gramps wills it! What's next?
The film is quite good, though not equal to the original. Ralph Morgan tries hard to imitate Lionel Barrymore's character in the original and does a nice job. Billy Chapin, however, is not at his best and delivers his lines too quickly. Perhaps he was instructed to do so by the director since they were cramming the story into a one hour time slot.
By the way, the casting is interesting. Billy Chapin and Billy Gray are in the film....and Chapin's sister, Lauren, soon went on to play Billy Gray's sister in "Father Knows Best". Also, both boys' characters had very similar names...Pud and Bud! Also, Ralph Morgan is the bother of Frank Morgan of "The Wizard of Oz" fame.