The 1939 film "On Borrowed Time" shows a "love token" created from an octagonal medal. Love Tokens are coins which have engravings applied to one side. They were popular in the late 1800's and were usually made as gifts. The film is a fantasy tale based on the 1937 novel of the same title by Lawrence Edward Watkin. It is set in the town of Gainesville, Massachusetts. Pud Northrop is a young boy whose parents are killed in an automobile accident. He is wealthy due to inheritance and a life insurance policy. His grandparents Julian and Nellie Northrup become his guardians and engage in a custody legal fight with the boy's aunt Demetria Riffle who only wants the boy for his money. Julian Northrup, also called "Gramps", is an eighty years old Union Civil War veteran who uses a wheelchair. It is not stated in the film but in the novel Julian worked for forty years as a watch engraver for the Tiffany & Co jewelry store in New York City. In the film Julian is shown engraving an item. The other main character in the film is Mr. Brink, the agent of Death who wants Julian to "come with him." At one time Pud runs away from home and takes with him an large octagon medal inscribed as a "love token" from Gramps.

The film begins with a Foreword:

Mr. Brink waves at an automobile requesting a ride.

The car is driven by James Northrup, a local doctor, and his wife is a passenger. The car stops to pick up Mr. Brink and drives away, showing a Massachusetts 1939 license plate. A crash is then heard followed by policemen at the wreck. Demetria Riffle learns about the deaths and goes to inform Julian and Nellie.

Demetria knows that the boy's father, a doctor, left the boy a large sum of money, and she begins suggesting that she would make a better parent than the elderly Northrups. Pud has disliked Demetria for a long time. A scene of the Northrups at home shows Julian engraving something.

Demetria's attorney files a custody suit and Julian brings Pud to see his lawyers. Demetria states that she is going to teach Pud "manners" and send him to a girl's school.

Mr. Brink pays a visit to Pud's grandmother Nellie leaving Julian alone. Soon after he visits Julian.

He asks Julian to "come with him" but Julian is able to trick him into climbing a magical tree which will not let him climb down. Julian tells his story to Dr. Evans, a local doctor and friend, who doesn't believe him until he sees a bird touch the tree and die. Demetria is informed of the situation, doesn't believe it, and continues her custody fight by getting a court order sending Julian to an asylum. Dr. Evans and a man from the asylum arrive to pick up Julian.

Julian says he will go if Dr. Evans can kill a fly which he fails to do. However, Demetria does get a custody order and Julian has to say goodbye to Pud.

Demetria and the sheriff arrive to pick up Pud who hides in a cellar.

Julian pretends to hear Mr. Brink claim that he is going to take Demetria and the Sheriff, and for the first time, Demetria backs off. Pud emerges from the cellar and prepares to run away by packing his goods.

The shelves are labeled "Pud's Museum."

Pud reaches for a large octagonal medal with a ribbon attached. The medal is then shown.

The medal is engraved "Pud from Gramp" with a design around the text, similar to a "love token." Love tokens are usually engraved on coins but a medal will do. Pud walks outside and passes the tree.

Mr. Brink dares him to climb up and when Pud balks he calls him a "baby calf." Pud climbs the fence but falls off. Later Pud is in bed and the doctor tells Julian that Pud will never walk again. Julian takes Pud and wheels him outside and tells Mr. Brink he can come down.

Silver, 18 mm, 2.09 gm

The base coin is an American 1877 Seated Liberty dime or ten cent coin.

Lionel Barrymore as Julian Northrup / Gramps
Sir Cedric Hardwicke as Mr. Brink
Beulah Bondi as Granny / Nellie
Bobs Watson as Pud Northrup
Eily Malyon as Demetria Riffle
Henry Travers as Dr. Evans
Director: Harold S. Bucquet
Writers: Alice D.G. Miller, Frank O'Neill, Claudine West, Paul Osborn (play),
Lawrence Edward Watkin (novel)