On Borrowed Time

On Borrowed Time (1938), a play by Paul Osborne. [Longacre Theatre, 321 perf.] Gramps Northrup ( Dudley Digges) is fearful that after his death his young, orphaned grandson Pud ( Peter Miner) will be placed in the care of his cranky, moralizing Aunt Demetria ( Jean Adair). So when the Angel of Death, in the form of Mr. Brink ( Frank Conroy), comes for Gramps, the old man chases him up an apple tree and fences him in. Gramps's careless description of the incident convinces Demetria and Dr. Evans ( Clyde Franklin) that Gramps has become senile, leading the doctor to certify that Demetria will thereafter be Pud's guardian. In despair, Pud runs away and climbs up the apple tree, from which he slips and falls. Gramps, seeing the lifeless Pud, releases Mr. Brink and joins his beloved grandson in death. Based on x's novel, the Dwight Deere Wiman production was described by Robert Benchley as a “heart‐warming, delightful play.” A well‐received 1953 revival featured Victor Moore as Gramps, and it was also successful in 1991 with George C. Scott and Nathan Lane (as Death).