Opera House

Grey River Argus, 31 July 1940, Page 12

Opera House

Now Showing: “ON BORROWED TIME.” Celebrating his thirtieth anniversary in motion pictures with one ul the' outstanding characterisations of his career, Lionel Barrymore appears in the picturisation of last season’s great Broadway stage success, “On Borrowed Time,” which will be screened at the Opera House, to-day. to-night, and to-morrow (Thursday). As the lovable, old, outspoken Gramp, Barrymore _ marks a new milestone in his amazing record. It is Gramp who desperately lights death in order to prevent the young grandson he loves from falling into the hands of a scheming and unscrupulous aunt. That is the simple outLne of the story which is full ol warm humour and of thought-pro-voking and inspiring imagery. An exceptional cast surrounds Barrymore. In the role of th e mysterious stranger, Mr Brink, personllcation of Daa r h is Sir Cedric Hardwicke, noted British stage and screen personality. The role of Pud falls to eight-year-old Bobs Watson, most talked-of youngster of the year. Beulah Bondi is rhe devoted Granny, Eily Malyon the hypocritical Aunt Demetria, Una Merkel and warmly human maid, Marcia, whilst others include Nat Pendleton, Henry Travers and Grant Mitchell. “On Borrowed Time” was produced to prove the contention that Hollywood has grown up. It is a definitely adult approach to screen entertainment completely off the screen track. As a departure from the fammar “boy gets girl” formula, the new picture stresses the enduring affection of Gramp and Granny which continues even after death, and the deeply tendei and understanding fellowship between Gramp and Pud. Entertainment highlights include the fishing escapades of Gramp and Pud in their old rattle-trap of a car, the humour of their first appearance together at church, the grim feud they wage with Aunt Demetria, the thrill of trapping Mr Brink in the apple tree. Ah: finally, there is the catch in the throat at tragedy, offset by shiny-eyed rapture at the disclosure that Death is not so fearsome a personality as lie had first appeared. “On Borrowed Time” is one of th e most daring and unusual stories ever filmed, a thoughtprovoking and inspiring story, full of heart-warming humour and affection and one that will long be remembered.