Expert: Mel - 6/22/2007

Question
Hi, hope someone can help me.  I saw a movie many years ago, maybe some forty years ago.  Here is what I remember about the movie.  A boy lived on a farm with his grandparents.  Maybe in the 30's the boy, I believe his name was Pudd was very close to his grandfather.  His grandfather died and the boy was very lost without him.  He acted out and at the end of the movie he climbed a tree and fell out and died.  It showed his grandfather coming for him and taking him to heaven. They walked down the lane together hand in hand.  Would love to know the name of this movie and if it is for sale.

Answer
Hello Jen,

This sounds like an MGM film from 1939 called "On Borrowed Time". It starred Lionel Barrymore as "Gramps" and Bobs Watson as John 'Pud' Northrup.

Story Outline: Young Pud is orphaned and left in the care of his aged grandparents. The boy and his cantankerous old grandfather become inseparable friends. But Gramps is concerned for his grandson's future and wary of a scheming relative who seeks Pud's custody. One day Mr. Brink, an agent of Death, arrives to take Gramps "to the land where the woodbine twineth." Through a bit of trickery, Gramps confines Mr. Brink, and thus Death, to the top of an old apple tree, giving Gramps extra time to resolve issues about Pud's future.

http://tinyurl.com/2n2ezf

I don't think it is available on DVD, but you may find an old VHS copy on ebay or amazon.

Glad to be of help. Cheers..........Mel.