On rereading my post from 17-Aug-2002, the title popped into my head, and a bit more research found the following:

The play I described above—about Death caught in an apple tree—was "On Borrowed Time" by Paul Osborn, based on a novel by Lawrence Edward Watkin. It was first performed as a stage play in 1938, as a film in 1939, and performed live on TV in 1952. I was not quite 5 years old when I saw it.

Amazing what the human mind can hold. Now why can't I remember the name of someone I was introduced to 5 minutes ago?