The Lemon Drop Kid
| The Lemon Drop Kid | |
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Theatrical release poster
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| Directed by |
Sidney Lanfield Frank Tashlin (uncredited) |
| Produced by | Robert L. Welch |
| Written by |
Damon Runyon (story) Edmund Beloin (story) |
| Screenplay by | Frank Tashlin Robert O'Brien Edmund L. Hartmann Irving Elinson |
| Starring |
Bob Hope Marilyn Maxwell Lloyd Nolan |
| Music by | Victor Young |
| Cinematography | Daniel L. Fapp |
| Edited by | Archie Marshek |
| Distributed by | Paramount Pictures |
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Release date
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Running time
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91 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Box office | $2.3 million (US rentals) |
The Lemon Drop Kid is a 1951 comedy film based on the short story of the same name by Damon Runyon, starring Bob Hope and Marilyn Maxwell. Although Sidney Lanfield is credited as the director, Frank Tashlin reportedly was hired, uncredited, to finish the film. The story had previously been adapted as a 1934 movie starring Lee Tracy, with actress Ann Sheridan in a bit part. William Frawley is featured in both versions.
The song "Silver Bells," sung by Hope and Maxwell, was introduced in this film.
On October 19, 2010, the film was released on DVD through Shout! Factory under license from the film's current distributor, FremantleMedia North America.
The Lemon Drop Kid (Bob Hope), a New York City swindler, is illegally touting horses at a Florida racetrack. The Kid touts across a beautiful woman intending to bet $2,000 on a horse named Iron Bar. Rigging a con, the Kid convinces her to switch her bet, but learns that she was betting for boyfriend and notorious gangster Moose Moran (Fred Clark). When the horse finishes dead last, a furious Moran demands the Kid pay him $10,000 (the amount he would have won) by Christmas Eve, or the Kid "won't make it to New Year's."
The Kid decides to return to New York to try to come up with the money. He first tries his on-again, off-again girlfriend Brainey Baxter (Marilyn Maxwell). However, when talk of long-term commitment arises, the Kid quickly makes an escape. He next visits local crime boss Oxford Charlie (Lloyd Nolan), with whom he has had past dealings. However, Charlie is in serious tax trouble and does not particularly care for the Kid anyway. As he leaves Charlie's establishment, the Kid notices a street corner Santa Claus and his kettle.
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Wikipedia