The Return of Peter Grimm (VHS, 1991)

Peter Grimm (Lionel Barrymore) is the central character of this delightful & enchanting film.

Grimm's a meddling older man who tries to run the lives of everyone around him. For instance, Grimm tries to force his adopted daughter, Catherine (Helen Mack) to marry his nephew: a man she doen't love in the least.

As fate would have it, Peter Grimm dies. Once in his afterlife, Grimm's given the opportunity of what many a person probably considers: having a second chance to get their life straightened out. That's exactly what Peter Grimm is given. His ghost is going to return to his family in order to attempt to repair all of the damage he'd done before he died.

This film is oft times humorous. But then, it's also somber. The point is that after Peter Grimm dies he discovers the value of his life.

This is Lionel Barrymore's equivalent of Jimmy Stewart's "It's a Wonderful Life," or Alistair Sims' "A Christmas Carol." The film ultimately depends upon the on-screen charm of Lionel Barrymore, which makes him so loveable~