I saw this movie when I was only about five years old and I've loved it since. It epitomizes the typical good hearted man in a bad situation who undergoes a character transformation worthy of old Scrooge himself. Bob Hope plays a grifter who tries to play both sides of a scam. All of this is infused with just the right amount of holiday fun and Christmas Carols (and even a few cracks at Bing) to make it a real holiday classic. I would recommend it for any age and any family.
32 Reviews
Lemon Drops With Silver Bells
bkoganbing17 September 2006
The Lemon Drop Kid is the second of two films Bob Hope did from stories based on Damon Runyon's colorful collection of characters, the first being Sorrowful Jones. Sidney Melbourne known to one and all as The Lemon Drop Kid for his inordinate fondness for lemon flavored candy is a fellow who lives by his wits as a race track tout.
Sometimes our hero is too clever by a half and when he gives the wrong tip to gambler Fred Clark's girl friend, Andrea King, Clark says that Hope owes him ten thousand dollars, the amount the horse would have paid him.
Things move fast and furious as Hope evolves a scheme to raise the money by starting a home for little old ladies named for Jane Darwell. Hope gets everyone in his set involved including his long suffering girl friend, Marilyn Maxwell.
Maxwell, who was reputedly involved romantically with Hope during the shooting of this film, plays a part almost identical to Runyon's better known Adelaide from Guys and Dolls.
Of course this film is famous for introducing that modern Christmas classic Silver Bells by Bob and Marilyn. And in an act that some might consider charity, that other well known Paramount star, Bing Crosby made a hit record of it with his radio girl singer of the moment Carole Richards.
In his musical autobiography record Bing said that he thought the secret of Silver Bells popularity is that it is an urban based song with its images of department stores, kid's rushing, and above all the bustle the sound of bells from street corner Santas. The song fits in real nice in the film with Hope's scheme involving his fellow street people in Santa Claus suits collecting for that little old ladies home.
Silver Bells got nominated for Best song, but lost to that other Paramount film song In the Cool Cool Cool of the Evening introduced by Bing Crosby.
Still the popularity of Jay Livingston and Ray Evans classic modern holiday ballad will insure people will be watching The Lemon Drop Kid for years to come.
Sometimes our hero is too clever by a half and when he gives the wrong tip to gambler Fred Clark's girl friend, Andrea King, Clark says that Hope owes him ten thousand dollars, the amount the horse would have paid him.
Things move fast and furious as Hope evolves a scheme to raise the money by starting a home for little old ladies named for Jane Darwell. Hope gets everyone in his set involved including his long suffering girl friend, Marilyn Maxwell.
Maxwell, who was reputedly involved romantically with Hope during the shooting of this film, plays a part almost identical to Runyon's better known Adelaide from Guys and Dolls.
Of course this film is famous for introducing that modern Christmas classic Silver Bells by Bob and Marilyn. And in an act that some might consider charity, that other well known Paramount star, Bing Crosby made a hit record of it with his radio girl singer of the moment Carole Richards.
In his musical autobiography record Bing said that he thought the secret of Silver Bells popularity is that it is an urban based song with its images of department stores, kid's rushing, and above all the bustle the sound of bells from street corner Santas. The song fits in real nice in the film with Hope's scheme involving his fellow street people in Santa Claus suits collecting for that little old ladies home.
Silver Bells got nominated for Best song, but lost to that other Paramount film song In the Cool Cool Cool of the Evening introduced by Bing Crosby.
Still the popularity of Jay Livingston and Ray Evans classic modern holiday ballad will insure people will be watching The Lemon Drop Kid for years to come.
Most enjoyable.
planktonrules25 November 2012
"The Lemon Drop Kid" is from a story by Damon Runyon--and it's heritage is obvious based on the sorts of names for the characters, such as Stan the Surgeon, Moose Moran, Nellie Thursday and Straight Flush Tony. The title character is played by Bob Hope and he's a real schmuck. He makes his living, such as it is, by selling fake tips on horses at the racetrack. However, when he convinces a big-time mobster's girl to bet on a horse instead of the one she intended to bet on, the mobster (Fred Clark) is NOT happy. He insists that The Kid must pay him back by Christmas....or else. The problem is that The Lemon Drop Kid has no money and no friends--so he heads to New York to try to convince someone to loan him the money. But, he is a schmuck after all and none of his 'friends' in the city are willing to give him a dime. What's he to do....just wait to have his legs broken....if he's LUCKY?! Nah, he comes up with a scheme involving the creation of an old folks home and Santa. Confusing? See the film to find out why he does this and what's next.
Overall, this is a very enjoyable Hope vehicle. He's in top form and the movie is entertaining despite a few small glitches. For example, look for Bob Hope's lips as he 'sings' "Silver Bells" and tries to get money from some very little kids. You can clearly see that his lips AREN'T moving yet he's somehow singing! Oops. Despite this silly mistake, I must say that this is a lovely part of the film--a real highlight. Clever and worth your time.
Overall, this is a very enjoyable Hope vehicle. He's in top form and the movie is entertaining despite a few small glitches. For example, look for Bob Hope's lips as he 'sings' "Silver Bells" and tries to get money from some very little kids. You can clearly see that his lips AREN'T moving yet he's somehow singing! Oops. Despite this silly mistake, I must say that this is a lovely part of the film--a real highlight. Clever and worth your time.
The film that introduced the classic song "Silver Bells"
Christmas-Reviewer16 September 2017
BEWARE OF FALSE REVIEWS & REVIEWERS. SOME REVIEWERS HAVE ONLY ONE REVIEW TO THEIR NAME. NOW WHEN ITS A POSITIVE REVIEW THAT TELLS ME THEY WERE INVOLVED WITH THE MOVIE. IF ITS A NEGATIVE REVIEW THEN THEY MIGHT HAVE A GRUDGE AGAINST THE FILM . NOW I HAVE REVIEWED OVER 300 HOLIDAY FILMS & SPECIALS. I HAVE NO AGENDA.
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, 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
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."
This film is typical one liners that Bob Hope was famous for. This film however suffers because many of them are "flat" and have not held up over time!
This film runs about 90 minutes but it seems to run 3 hours. Some parts of this film however is funny but it has equal parts that are not funny. It is also hard to hear 48 year old Bib Hope refereed to as kid in this film.
This is a great film for Bob Hope fans. For the rest of us it is just an okay film. Not a bad film but not very good either!
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, 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
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."
This film is typical one liners that Bob Hope was famous for. This film however suffers because many of them are "flat" and have not held up over time!
This film runs about 90 minutes but it seems to run 3 hours. Some parts of this film however is funny but it has equal parts that are not funny. It is also hard to hear 48 year old Bib Hope refereed to as kid in this film.
This is a great film for Bob Hope fans. For the rest of us it is just an okay film. Not a bad film but not very good either!
There is Hope For the Holidays.....
mark.waltz19 December 2011
Warning: Spoilers
The silver bells are clinking down on Fifth Avenue here in New York City as I write this review, and what movie is more appropriate to write about than the one that famous Christmas song came from? I find this to be Bob Hope's best non-Road movie; funny, touching, and filled with the joy of the season. This is not a remake of the 1934 Lee Tracy movie, although it does surround a character addicted to lemon drops who happens to hang out at a race track. That was a sentimental tale about a ne'er-do-well father who does all he can to get his kid back. This movie is a lot lighter and instead of a father missing his child, it is about a con man who learns something about giving when he decides to help out a group of old ladies. Of course, he has his own selfish motives, but when gangsters threaten to take over what he has come to see as the right thing to do, Hope takes action and reforms himself, winning the heroine (the lovely Marilyn Maxwell) in the process.
The leading old lady is a street newspaper seller played by the Academy Award Winning Jane Darwell who is absolutely lovely here and will steal your heart, much like she did as the birdseed seller in London years later in "Mary Poppins". William Frawley is Hope's crusty sidekick, whose gravely voiced singing introduces a more cynical "Silver Bells" ("Chunk it in, Chunk it in, or Santy will give you a mickey"). Fifth Avenue and the surrounding snowy streets become a Christmas wonderland, a vision that has made New York one of the most romantic Christmas getaways for years. Maxwell and Hope also sing the delightful "It Only Costs a Dime to Dream" to the old ladies in the redecorated gambling home (where the ladies sleep on moving crap tables). Hope even ends up in drag, looking like Ray Bolger in "Where's Charley?", and has a delightful exchange with another old lady (the wonderful Ida Moore) about his hour glass figure. Fred Clark, that delightful sourpuss, is great as the gangster and Lloyd Nolan is also amusing as another racketeer who tries to get his hands on all the old dolls so he can take over Hope's racket.
Future "Ed Wood" veteran Tor Johnson ("Night of the Ghouls", "Plan Nine From Outer Space") is instantly recognizable as the Swedish wrestler whom Hope involves in his scheme while other typical Damon Runyeon style characters are played by such familiar faces as Harry Bellaver and Jay C. Flippen. The lovely Andrea King is all Southern charm as Clark's mistress whom Hope mistakenly passes on a fake tip to at the race track to his imminent regret. Veteran diminutive character actor Francis Pierlot has an amusing cameo as Darwell's recently prison released husband who has an act for cracking safes.
This is a must for the holiday season that will charm everybody and make you feel good about the true spirit of the holidays.
The leading old lady is a street newspaper seller played by the Academy Award Winning Jane Darwell who is absolutely lovely here and will steal your heart, much like she did as the birdseed seller in London years later in "Mary Poppins". William Frawley is Hope's crusty sidekick, whose gravely voiced singing introduces a more cynical "Silver Bells" ("Chunk it in, Chunk it in, or Santy will give you a mickey"). Fifth Avenue and the surrounding snowy streets become a Christmas wonderland, a vision that has made New York one of the most romantic Christmas getaways for years. Maxwell and Hope also sing the delightful "It Only Costs a Dime to Dream" to the old ladies in the redecorated gambling home (where the ladies sleep on moving crap tables). Hope even ends up in drag, looking like Ray Bolger in "Where's Charley?", and has a delightful exchange with another old lady (the wonderful Ida Moore) about his hour glass figure. Fred Clark, that delightful sourpuss, is great as the gangster and Lloyd Nolan is also amusing as another racketeer who tries to get his hands on all the old dolls so he can take over Hope's racket.
Future "Ed Wood" veteran Tor Johnson ("Night of the Ghouls", "Plan Nine From Outer Space") is instantly recognizable as the Swedish wrestler whom Hope involves in his scheme while other typical Damon Runyeon style characters are played by such familiar faces as Harry Bellaver and Jay C. Flippen. The lovely Andrea King is all Southern charm as Clark's mistress whom Hope mistakenly passes on a fake tip to at the race track to his imminent regret. Veteran diminutive character actor Francis Pierlot has an amusing cameo as Darwell's recently prison released husband who has an act for cracking safes.
This is a must for the holiday season that will charm everybody and make you feel good about the true spirit of the holidays.
Christmas Tradition
rentfrow20 January 2003
Our entire family from great grandmother on down to the great grandchildren love this movie. It will never be outdated. It is funny, decent and there is never a dull moment. This movie is truly a classic and such a refreshing change from the liberal nonsense that the industry is spewing out today.
"Well corn my pone and chit my chittlins..."
classicsoncall11 September 2008
Warning: Spoilers
The thing I noticed about thirty minutes into the picture was how complicated the plotting got for a movie from the early Fifties. Not what I was expecting from a title like "The Lemon Drop Kid", whose title character is wonderfully performed by one of my all time favorites - Bob Hope. Hope is his trademark self most of the time with the snappy quips and one liners, but it wasn't just Hope playing Hope, indeed it appeared that Bob actually got into his character based on a Damon Runyon story. With any other actor, The Lemon Drop Kid might have come across as the smarmy con man that he was written to be, but Hope makes him a likable chap, even when he's robbing you blind.
The other major curve that the picture throws at you about mid-way through is that all of a sudden, it becomes a Christmas story! I wasn't really ready for that, and yet right from the opening sound of "Silver Bells", it all seems to fit together perfectly around a con game to bring home the bacon for Nellie Thursday's Home For Old Dolls. Hope has just the perfect cast of characters to pull off this grift - Jay C. Flippen, Ben Weldon, and Tor Johnson among others, and it was especially cool to catch William Frawley in a role apart from his Fred Mertz character. I'm not so sure this bunch could have pulled off the caper in real life quite so easily, but I think you can cut the film some slack in that regard; getting there was all the fun it could be.
With any of these older flicks, I'm always on the lookout for reminders of simpler times gone by - how about a hot pastrami sandwich for fifty cents! Say, I wonder too, if you can still get a salami gift wrapped for the holidays?
There's also the era preoccupation with getting as many profile shots of the picture's leading lady into view as possible. On that score, Marilyn Maxwell's figure never disappoints, strategically positioned whenever possible in conversation with Lemon Drop or Oxford Charley (Lloyd Nolan). After a while I began to wonder why she ever stuck it out with The Kid, but I guess every heel has some redemptive qualities.
I don't know if I'd make this a must see every year at Christmas time, but then again, it might not be the worst choice out there. It takes you back to a way simpler time than say, "Bad Santa", and you won't have to screen out the language for young viewers. All in all, a fun picture and a fine effort from Bob Hope and his gang of usual suspects.
The other major curve that the picture throws at you about mid-way through is that all of a sudden, it becomes a Christmas story! I wasn't really ready for that, and yet right from the opening sound of "Silver Bells", it all seems to fit together perfectly around a con game to bring home the bacon for Nellie Thursday's Home For Old Dolls. Hope has just the perfect cast of characters to pull off this grift - Jay C. Flippen, Ben Weldon, and Tor Johnson among others, and it was especially cool to catch William Frawley in a role apart from his Fred Mertz character. I'm not so sure this bunch could have pulled off the caper in real life quite so easily, but I think you can cut the film some slack in that regard; getting there was all the fun it could be.
With any of these older flicks, I'm always on the lookout for reminders of simpler times gone by - how about a hot pastrami sandwich for fifty cents! Say, I wonder too, if you can still get a salami gift wrapped for the holidays?
There's also the era preoccupation with getting as many profile shots of the picture's leading lady into view as possible. On that score, Marilyn Maxwell's figure never disappoints, strategically positioned whenever possible in conversation with Lemon Drop or Oxford Charley (Lloyd Nolan). After a while I began to wonder why she ever stuck it out with The Kid, but I guess every heel has some redemptive qualities.
I don't know if I'd make this a must see every year at Christmas time, but then again, it might not be the worst choice out there. It takes you back to a way simpler time than say, "Bad Santa", and you won't have to screen out the language for young viewers. All in all, a fun picture and a fine effort from Bob Hope and his gang of usual suspects.
Great Hope Classic
artzau28 February 2002
Hope's films always spun on his zany sense of humor. In this, a redo of a Damon Runyon story (see Little Miss Marker), Hope is at his best. I noted with interest the comments of one reviewer who bristling with politically correct indignation, accuses Hope of everything from Sexism to nearly murder. True, they were not as tuned into the careful not to offend anyone scene we are now but most of this stuff is pretty mild. Besides, being a senior citizen myself, I was hardly offended. The list of wonderful studio character actors in this film is delightful. Fred Clarke who was at his best as a villain or sleeze ball gives a delightful show as a gangster. And, then there's Marilyn Maxwell: her singing of "Silver Bells," gave us a new Christmas carol that is sung every holiday season. I'm sorry that some of our other reviewers were piqued by this film. I think it has held up well and I still delight at Hope's antics. I guess that dates me. I was in junior high when I saw this film. I loved it then and love it now.
delightful Bob Hope comedy
blanche-214 December 2014
Bob Hope is Sidney Milburn, "The Lemon Drop Kid" in this film based on a Damon Runyon story. Hope plays a racetrack "tout" who talks up horses to eager bettors. In the first scene we see him conversing with a neighing horse and taking notes. He tells one bettor that most of the horses are sick: "That's why they head for the inside rail so they have something to lean on."
Unfortunately, he talks mobster Moose Moran's (Fred Clark) girlfriend out of betting on the horse Moose sent her to bet on, and the horse, Lightning Streak, comes in last. Sidney then owes Moose $10,000 and is in big trouble. He goes to New York and looks up some old friends.
One is Nellie (Jane Darwell) whose husband Henry is about to be released from prison, but she is about to be evicted; and the other is Brainey (Marilyn Maxwell). Sidney moves Nellie and some other elderly ladies (or old dolls, as they're called) into Moose's casino which is sitting empty on Long Island, gets a vendors license, and sends his friends dressed as Santa out to collect money for "The Nellie Thursday Old Dolls Home." Trouble follows.
Hope is surrounded by some fine character actors: Jay C. Flippen, Sid Melton, William Frawley, and Lloyd Nolan.
Marilyn Maxwell sings "Silver Bells," which became a big hit. She toured with Hope entertaining the USO and was apparently having a huge affair with him.
There's a lot of slapstick at the end, which is very funny, as Hope goes on the run dressed as an old woman. There are some great lines as well throughout, in part thanks to Hope's flawless delivery. Despite not playing a savory character, he comes off as one of the most likable crooks you'll ever meet.
Fun, and a nice film to see at holiday time.
Unfortunately, he talks mobster Moose Moran's (Fred Clark) girlfriend out of betting on the horse Moose sent her to bet on, and the horse, Lightning Streak, comes in last. Sidney then owes Moose $10,000 and is in big trouble. He goes to New York and looks up some old friends.
One is Nellie (Jane Darwell) whose husband Henry is about to be released from prison, but she is about to be evicted; and the other is Brainey (Marilyn Maxwell). Sidney moves Nellie and some other elderly ladies (or old dolls, as they're called) into Moose's casino which is sitting empty on Long Island, gets a vendors license, and sends his friends dressed as Santa out to collect money for "The Nellie Thursday Old Dolls Home." Trouble follows.
Hope is surrounded by some fine character actors: Jay C. Flippen, Sid Melton, William Frawley, and Lloyd Nolan.
Marilyn Maxwell sings "Silver Bells," which became a big hit. She toured with Hope entertaining the USO and was apparently having a huge affair with him.
There's a lot of slapstick at the end, which is very funny, as Hope goes on the run dressed as an old woman. There are some great lines as well throughout, in part thanks to Hope's flawless delivery. Despite not playing a savory character, he comes off as one of the most likable crooks you'll ever meet.
Fun, and a nice film to see at holiday time.
Simply lovely con artist caper delivering mirth for the yuletide season.
hitchcockthelegend4 March 2008
The Lemon Drop Kid is directed by Sidney Lanfield (Frank Tashlin uncredited) and based on the short story of the same name written by Damon Runyon (Edmund Beloin adapting). It stars Bob Hope, Marilyn Maxwell, Lloyd Nolan, Jane Darwell, Andrea King & Fred Clark.
It's perhaps a bit unfair to call it purely a Christmas movie? But watching it during the festive holiday season itself more than doubles the impact of the viewing. Bob Hope is The Lemon Drop Kid, a scam artist who during one of his cons at the race track finds himself in debt to a gangster for $10,000. If he doesn't find the money by Christmas day then he's going to be done for in a very grizzly way. We then follow the intrepid Hope on his various escapades to get the money; no mater how morally corrupt it be! A charity scam in the name of an old peoples home brings about much mirth and frivolity, and as the film twists as much as Hope does in his energetic scenes, it leave us with a delightful feel good seasonal offering. The lead cast are fine, with Hope in his element with the material to hand, while Marilyn Maxwell is perfect foil for Hope in the lead female role that calls for gusto and sentiment to be layered equally. While the final cherry on this lovely yuletide cake comes with the Hope/Maxwell rendition of "Silver Bells" that underpins the Christmas flavour of the piece.
It's unlikely to impress hardcore Runyon followers, and those that don't buy into Hope's form of comedy are probably best to avoid it. But for many folk, myself included, The Lemon Drop Kid is a 10/10 film, particularly at the Crimble season.
It's perhaps a bit unfair to call it purely a Christmas movie? But watching it during the festive holiday season itself more than doubles the impact of the viewing. Bob Hope is The Lemon Drop Kid, a scam artist who during one of his cons at the race track finds himself in debt to a gangster for $10,000. If he doesn't find the money by Christmas day then he's going to be done for in a very grizzly way. We then follow the intrepid Hope on his various escapades to get the money; no mater how morally corrupt it be! A charity scam in the name of an old peoples home brings about much mirth and frivolity, and as the film twists as much as Hope does in his energetic scenes, it leave us with a delightful feel good seasonal offering. The lead cast are fine, with Hope in his element with the material to hand, while Marilyn Maxwell is perfect foil for Hope in the lead female role that calls for gusto and sentiment to be layered equally. While the final cherry on this lovely yuletide cake comes with the Hope/Maxwell rendition of "Silver Bells" that underpins the Christmas flavour of the piece.
It's unlikely to impress hardcore Runyon followers, and those that don't buy into Hope's form of comedy are probably best to avoid it. But for many folk, myself included, The Lemon Drop Kid is a 10/10 film, particularly at the Crimble season.
Damon Runyon Greatness
utgard1416 December 2013
Bob Hope plays Sidney Milburn, a.k.a. The Lemon Drop Kid. The Kid is a racetrack tout, which is a person who sells tips on horses at the track. He causes gangster Moose Moran to lose big at the track. Moose gives The Kid until Christmas to come up with the money. So, together with some criminal friends, The Kid hatches a scheme to get the loot.
This is a great comedy for Christmas or any time of the year. Hope is fantastic and is backed up by a terrific supporting cast that includes Marilyn Maxwell, Jane Darwell, William Frawley, Harry Bellaver, and Lloyd Nolan. Fun script with great Damon Runyon characters. And, of course, let's not forget this is the film that introduced the Christmas classic "Silver Bells."
This is a great comedy for Christmas or any time of the year. Hope is fantastic and is backed up by a terrific supporting cast that includes Marilyn Maxwell, Jane Darwell, William Frawley, Harry Bellaver, and Lloyd Nolan. Fun script with great Damon Runyon characters. And, of course, let's not forget this is the film that introduced the Christmas classic "Silver Bells."
Great Holiday Fun
d-mrice11 January 2006
This is one of my favorite holiday movies. It is a great example of Runyan's work. I would recommend it for the whole family! It is a nice departure from the usual holiday sentimentalism. The dialog is peppered with typical Runyan phrases that truly capture the "Guys and Dolls" types and yet still has the Bob Hope send up comedy typical of his "Road" pictures. The musical numbers add to the picture without making it into a big budget Hollywood show. Jane Darwell, William Frawley and Lloyd Nolan are really enjoyable. Even though some of the comedy it perhaps a bit ethnic oriented, it really isn't offensive. My family and I would rather watch this than any other "wonderful" holiday movie.
A slapstick con artist comedy?
marxsarx19 September 2003
Warning: Spoilers
********************Mild Spoilers Ahead********************************
This is a sassy comedy for Bob Hope who is a two timing con artist that somehow is likable. Bob Hope manages to pull it all together and hold the weak plot together for a few laughs. He's the whole show in this one.
The Lemon Drop Kid (Bob Hope) double crosses the wrong guy in this movie and he has to run for his life. It becomes apparent that the Lemon Drop Kid would sell out his mother to save his own neck. He even cooks up a scam to get money by dressing up as Santa Claus and ringing a bell at Christmas time. Then he enlists a bunch of cronies to work for him in the Santa Claus bell ringer scam and cheats a bunch of old ladies out of their money. What a heel!
It's a fairly good movie and it does move along nicely, but some of the top billed actors are too corny in their roles for my tastes, namely Marilyn Maxwell, Jane Darwell and William Frawley. They just aren't pulling it off in this one like Bob does. Even Bob goes over the top at times which causes the move to fall sporadically flat .
I thought the bit with Bob Hope and the mechanical mannequin in the store window was different and unusual. Bob walking in the wind and cold and stealing the dog's knitted sweater was also memorable. He also made me laugh when he dressed up as an old lady to sneak into the Home for Old Dolls(women).
This one is kind of fun, but it's no classic. My Favorite Brunette and The Son of Paleface are the two comedies of Bob's that I would recommend before this one. Worth watching, though, if you are a big fan of Bob Hopes and just want to see something with him in it. I suggest you stay away from The Road To Bali which is the worst Bob Hope Comedy I've seen so far...but I haven't all of them. I give The Lemon Drop Kid 75/100. It's average comedy with some sparks of hilarity thrown in here and there.
This is a sassy comedy for Bob Hope who is a two timing con artist that somehow is likable. Bob Hope manages to pull it all together and hold the weak plot together for a few laughs. He's the whole show in this one.
The Lemon Drop Kid (Bob Hope) double crosses the wrong guy in this movie and he has to run for his life. It becomes apparent that the Lemon Drop Kid would sell out his mother to save his own neck. He even cooks up a scam to get money by dressing up as Santa Claus and ringing a bell at Christmas time. Then he enlists a bunch of cronies to work for him in the Santa Claus bell ringer scam and cheats a bunch of old ladies out of their money. What a heel!
It's a fairly good movie and it does move along nicely, but some of the top billed actors are too corny in their roles for my tastes, namely Marilyn Maxwell, Jane Darwell and William Frawley. They just aren't pulling it off in this one like Bob does. Even Bob goes over the top at times which causes the move to fall sporadically flat .
I thought the bit with Bob Hope and the mechanical mannequin in the store window was different and unusual. Bob walking in the wind and cold and stealing the dog's knitted sweater was also memorable. He also made me laugh when he dressed up as an old lady to sneak into the Home for Old Dolls(women).
This one is kind of fun, but it's no classic. My Favorite Brunette and The Son of Paleface are the two comedies of Bob's that I would recommend before this one. Worth watching, though, if you are a big fan of Bob Hopes and just want to see something with him in it. I suggest you stay away from The Road To Bali which is the worst Bob Hope Comedy I've seen so far...but I haven't all of them. I give The Lemon Drop Kid 75/100. It's average comedy with some sparks of hilarity thrown in here and there.
Okay, But Certainly Not One Of Hope's Best
ccthemovieman-114 May 2006
This was fairly interesting story with some decent laughs....nothing to really dislike but nothing that would make rush out and buy the film, either.
The characters were colorful in here and Bob Hope (it's his movie) had a number of funny lines, yet I didn't think the film moved that fast for some reason.
Although not considered a musical, there were several songs in here by Hope and Marilyn Maxwell, none memorable. It did have a decent cast with name actors such as Lloyd Nolan and Jane Darwell and a bunch of 'character actors' like Ben Weldon, Jay C. Flippen, Sid Melton and William Frawley (of "I Love Lucy" fame).
Overall, I wouldn't spend more than a dollar to rent it.
The characters were colorful in here and Bob Hope (it's his movie) had a number of funny lines, yet I didn't think the film moved that fast for some reason.
Although not considered a musical, there were several songs in here by Hope and Marilyn Maxwell, none memorable. It did have a decent cast with name actors such as Lloyd Nolan and Jane Darwell and a bunch of 'character actors' like Ben Weldon, Jay C. Flippen, Sid Melton and William Frawley (of "I Love Lucy" fame).
Overall, I wouldn't spend more than a dollar to rent it.
Hope in Top Form
dougdoepke29 July 2013
The gags fly thick and fast in this Hope romp. If a viewer doesn't like one set-up, the next will be on in a flash. Hope's got to settle a debt to mobster Clark, otherwise he's toast. So the race-track tout sets up a phony Santa scheme using sidewalk donations supposedly going to an old ladies home. Can he pull it off since there're more characters to manage than a circus.
Hope's at his peak, physically and wise-crack wise. His shtick looks effortless, gliding from one set-up to the next. It's about as smooth as madcap comes, and not even the spare romantic scene dawdles And catch movie vets like a pre-Lucy William Frawley, fast-talking Lloyd Nolan, and professional grouch Fred Clark of the old Burns and Allen show. And for eye candy there's a luscious Marilyn Maxwell to sweeten things up. But shouldn't overlook versatile Jane Darwell of Grapes of Wrath.
But the real ace-in-the-hole is writer and uncredited director (IMDB) Frank Tashlin. His comedic stamp is all over the physical comedy. For instance, catch that undressing of the manikin in the storefront window. It's a hoot, and I would think a challenge for censors given the female detail. Or the cyclonic wind where the Girl Scouts help the wobbly Hope negotiate a sidewalk. In fact, there are numerous touches throughout that make this Hope entry a sleeper, especially at Xmas time. Too bad it's not better known among his stellar entries, Crosby or no.
Hope's at his peak, physically and wise-crack wise. His shtick looks effortless, gliding from one set-up to the next. It's about as smooth as madcap comes, and not even the spare romantic scene dawdles And catch movie vets like a pre-Lucy William Frawley, fast-talking Lloyd Nolan, and professional grouch Fred Clark of the old Burns and Allen show. And for eye candy there's a luscious Marilyn Maxwell to sweeten things up. But shouldn't overlook versatile Jane Darwell of Grapes of Wrath.
But the real ace-in-the-hole is writer and uncredited director (IMDB) Frank Tashlin. His comedic stamp is all over the physical comedy. For instance, catch that undressing of the manikin in the storefront window. It's a hoot, and I would think a challenge for censors given the female detail. Or the cyclonic wind where the Girl Scouts help the wobbly Hope negotiate a sidewalk. In fact, there are numerous touches throughout that make this Hope entry a sleeper, especially at Xmas time. Too bad it's not better known among his stellar entries, Crosby or no.
Chameleon Bob Hope in a Christmas con comedy with iconic "Silver Bells".
SAMTHEBESTEST19 December 2023
The Lemon Drop Kid (1951) :
Brief Review -
Chameleon Bob Hope in a Christmas con comedy with iconic "Silver Bells". The 1934 version of The Lemon Drop Kid did not come to notice-I don't know why-but this Bob Hope version did bring the story to everyone's attention. The iconic "Silver Bells" was first introduced here, and it is such a visually and audibly attractive song. That walk Bob Hope and Marilyn Maxwell took in the market while singing the song kind of reminded me of Fred Astaire's walk in "Easter Parade" (1949). A Christmas film in black and white may not be a good idea, but I can't really help but accept the contemporary technology while watching the movie in 2023. Bob Hope was such a chameleon that he transformed from one act to another so easily. He kept changing colours according to his surroundings, and that's why this film became so entertaining. From a horserace scam to a Christmas con, and then that entire segment in a lady's appearance-he was flawless. The film is about a swindler who owes ten grand to Big Daddy and has nowhere to go. He has to return the money within 15 days, which ends exactly on Christmas Eve. When he finds no legal way to earn that much money, he decides to con people's faith in Santa Claus and fool them into dropping the money for the old dolls' house. However, he is outsmarted by a bigger con who takes over his business, and now our fella has to earn money as well as earn the respect of every old dog and his own girl. The screenplay sets things up very nicely, and you won't feel bored even for a moment. The idea is to keep you laughing, and believe me, Bob was very good at such jobs. His romance with Marilyn Maxwell is cute and funny. Those tight kisses in that statue scene, oh my my. So hot. Sidney Lanfield does the trick of using festival vibes and setting the mood right with all-happy things at the end. Coincidentally, I watched it just when Christmas was around the corner, and I just felt it really close.
RATING - 7/10*
By - #samthebestest.
Chameleon Bob Hope in a Christmas con comedy with iconic "Silver Bells". The 1934 version of The Lemon Drop Kid did not come to notice-I don't know why-but this Bob Hope version did bring the story to everyone's attention. The iconic "Silver Bells" was first introduced here, and it is such a visually and audibly attractive song. That walk Bob Hope and Marilyn Maxwell took in the market while singing the song kind of reminded me of Fred Astaire's walk in "Easter Parade" (1949). A Christmas film in black and white may not be a good idea, but I can't really help but accept the contemporary technology while watching the movie in 2023. Bob Hope was such a chameleon that he transformed from one act to another so easily. He kept changing colours according to his surroundings, and that's why this film became so entertaining. From a horserace scam to a Christmas con, and then that entire segment in a lady's appearance-he was flawless. The film is about a swindler who owes ten grand to Big Daddy and has nowhere to go. He has to return the money within 15 days, which ends exactly on Christmas Eve. When he finds no legal way to earn that much money, he decides to con people's faith in Santa Claus and fool them into dropping the money for the old dolls' house. However, he is outsmarted by a bigger con who takes over his business, and now our fella has to earn money as well as earn the respect of every old dog and his own girl. The screenplay sets things up very nicely, and you won't feel bored even for a moment. The idea is to keep you laughing, and believe me, Bob was very good at such jobs. His romance with Marilyn Maxwell is cute and funny. Those tight kisses in that statue scene, oh my my. So hot. Sidney Lanfield does the trick of using festival vibes and setting the mood right with all-happy things at the end. Coincidentally, I watched it just when Christmas was around the corner, and I just felt it really close.
RATING - 7/10*
By - #samthebestest.
Silver Bells, Silver Bells...it's a Christmas con in the city.
cgvsluis2 January 2022
Bob Hope is wonderful as The Lemon Drop Kid, who makes his money tricking people into betting on ponies with his phony insider information and agreeing to cut him in on the winnings...only he mistakenly convinces a gangster's mol into betting on a different pony than she was supposed to with $2000! As a consequence, the gangster looses out on a $10,000 payout. He tells the Lemon Drop Kid he has until Christmas Eve to pay him back the $10,000. So The Kid travels to New York where he is hoping to call upon his friends to help him out...only they don't because either they can't or because he has taken advantage of their kindness one too many times, including the lovely lady "Brainy". Down on his luck and with just enough money to get his winter clothes out of hawk he sees a bell ringing Santa...and is struck by the idea that he could raise money for a charity...his save a life charity.
This was a great vehicle for Bob Hope and he is at the top of his game in this film. I was eager to see this film because I ordered sheet music for my favorite Christmas carol..."Silver Bells" and found out it came straight out of this film The Lemon Drop Kid which I had never heard of. I don't know that this will be a Christmas regular for me, but it was worth seeing...contained my favorite Christmas carol, and had some interesting scenes from a by gone era...including tinsled trees and Christmas store windows.
This was a great vehicle for Bob Hope and he is at the top of his game in this film. I was eager to see this film because I ordered sheet music for my favorite Christmas carol..."Silver Bells" and found out it came straight out of this film The Lemon Drop Kid which I had never heard of. I don't know that this will be a Christmas regular for me, but it was worth seeing...contained my favorite Christmas carol, and had some interesting scenes from a by gone era...including tinsled trees and Christmas store windows.
I'd never heard of this Christmas comedy before
cricketbat16 December 2023
I'd never heard of The Lemon Drop Kid before, but I saw it on a list of Christmas comedies, so I thought I'd give it a chance. It wasn't bad. It took a while for me to warm up to Bob Hope's character, but I think that was kind of the point. I don't think the comedy has held up as well as other movies, and I wasn't sold on this being a Christmas movie at first, but it eventually got there. I was also shocked to learn that this was the movie that introduced "Silver Bells" to the world. That's gotta count for something. I liked The Lemon Drop Kid, but it's not going to be a holiday staple for me.
Everything a Christmas Movie Should Be!
AbeStreet31 December 2002
Warning: Spoilers
Possible Spoilers!
Bob Hope portrays a lemon drop eating race track hustler who hustles a local crime boss out of $10,000. Hope is given until Christmas to get the money together. Hope goes to NYC and cons his girlfriend, friends and local thugs into dressing up in Santa suits and collecting money for a senior citizens home for "old dolls." Hope intends to make off with the donations and pay off his debt to the crime boss. However, a NYC crime boss figures out what Hope is up to and blows the whistle on Hope and takes over the Santa donation scheme himself. Hope then redeems himself by entraping the two crime bosses, making sure the senior citizen home gets the donations and he gets his girl back. It would seem that Hope's character has finally learned the Christmas message, that it is better to give than to receive.
This is probably my favorite Bob Hope film. He is excellent as a scheming hustler type. It seems to come natural to him. The film makes great use of character actors from the 30,s 40's and 50's in the films various supporting roles. Marilyn Maxwell is a real treat to look at and has great chemistry with Hope. The song Silver Bells is beautiful and fits the film perfectly. I think my favorite scene is where Hope is dressed as an elderly woman trying to describe what he is knitting to the other elderly woman. It was a mop that goes so well with his argyle scrub bucket.
If you like Bob Hope, Christmas movies or comedies than you'll probably like this film.
Bob Hope portrays a lemon drop eating race track hustler who hustles a local crime boss out of $10,000. Hope is given until Christmas to get the money together. Hope goes to NYC and cons his girlfriend, friends and local thugs into dressing up in Santa suits and collecting money for a senior citizens home for "old dolls." Hope intends to make off with the donations and pay off his debt to the crime boss. However, a NYC crime boss figures out what Hope is up to and blows the whistle on Hope and takes over the Santa donation scheme himself. Hope then redeems himself by entraping the two crime bosses, making sure the senior citizen home gets the donations and he gets his girl back. It would seem that Hope's character has finally learned the Christmas message, that it is better to give than to receive.
This is probably my favorite Bob Hope film. He is excellent as a scheming hustler type. It seems to come natural to him. The film makes great use of character actors from the 30,s 40's and 50's in the films various supporting roles. Marilyn Maxwell is a real treat to look at and has great chemistry with Hope. The song Silver Bells is beautiful and fits the film perfectly. I think my favorite scene is where Hope is dressed as an elderly woman trying to describe what he is knitting to the other elderly woman. It was a mop that goes so well with his argyle scrub bucket.
If you like Bob Hope, Christmas movies or comedies than you'll probably like this film.
The Hopes And Fears Of All The Years...
Lejink23 December 2022
An amiable Bob Hope comedy with a seasonal flavour based on a Damon Runyan character. It's years since I've read the original story but I'm assured that the plot here is very different to that penned by Runyan. To be fair though, the situations and characterisations here are still identifiably Runyonesque with Hope's Kid a real fly-by-night, living from scam to scam, stringing along his pretty but obviously long-suffering girl-friend Marilyn Miller in the process.
However, when he flim-flams the wrong guy, i.e. A big-shot gangster, at the race-track, our hero has to find $10000 before Christmas Eve, which is only a matter of days away, otherwise his fate is as cooked as a Christmas Day goose. So he comes up with an idea to fleece the general public into stumping up donations for a fake charity to house a group of elderly women, or dolls as they're ungraciously termed, which he'll use to pay off his debt, but it's not long before it all gets complicated and at least two rival gangs are out for the Kid's head. But it's a Bob Hope movie and set at Christmas time so do you really doubt the final outcome...?
I won't say the movie delivered major belly-laughs but Hope well knows how to carry off this stuff, even if it's a bit of stretch to imagine him stringing along the lovely Miller, especially as her character's name is actually "Brainy". Meanwhile, he gets in his trademark jibes at Crosby as well as Milton Berle plus the usual stream of self-deprecating gags we've come to know and expect over the years. There's also the bonus of the introduction of the popular seasonal "Silver Bells" sung by Hope and Miller.
I think I still prefer old Bob when he's out on the road with Bing, but this light Chritmassy comedy goes down as nicely as a lemon-drop although I must confess I speak as someone with a decidedly sweet tooth!
However, when he flim-flams the wrong guy, i.e. A big-shot gangster, at the race-track, our hero has to find $10000 before Christmas Eve, which is only a matter of days away, otherwise his fate is as cooked as a Christmas Day goose. So he comes up with an idea to fleece the general public into stumping up donations for a fake charity to house a group of elderly women, or dolls as they're ungraciously termed, which he'll use to pay off his debt, but it's not long before it all gets complicated and at least two rival gangs are out for the Kid's head. But it's a Bob Hope movie and set at Christmas time so do you really doubt the final outcome...?
I won't say the movie delivered major belly-laughs but Hope well knows how to carry off this stuff, even if it's a bit of stretch to imagine him stringing along the lovely Miller, especially as her character's name is actually "Brainy". Meanwhile, he gets in his trademark jibes at Crosby as well as Milton Berle plus the usual stream of self-deprecating gags we've come to know and expect over the years. There's also the bonus of the introduction of the popular seasonal "Silver Bells" sung by Hope and Miller.
I think I still prefer old Bob when he's out on the road with Bing, but this light Chritmassy comedy goes down as nicely as a lemon-drop although I must confess I speak as someone with a decidedly sweet tooth!
Is it any wonder we love Bob Hope?
teepee-99 November 2000
Though this movie is a favorite of my Mother's, it inevitably is one of mine. Bob Hope is "ON" in this Season's Greeting which, by the way, introduced the world to the song "Silver Bells". A MUST-HAVE in your home library.
"The Lemon Drop Kid" is no lemon.
debhoward-0096513 December 2020
Old Ski nose on the downward slope
bluerider52116 December 2013
Warning: Spoilers
I was a big Bob Hope fan all through the 1940s. In his movies, he always played the hapless loser who lucks his way out of trouble and into a beautiful woman's arms. In this one he plays a con man. Con men can be funny if they are complete incompetents or if they successfully con someone who deserves to be conned. In this movie, only half of each of the above occurs and it is thus less funny and inconsistent.
Hope starts out a loser and a craven coward in this one, but at the end of the movie as his schemes work, he becomes smarmy and struts around in an unappealing way. I hated this; it undermined all the previous likable schnook characters Hope had played.
I had already read the Runyon story about the Lemon Drop Kid when this film was first released and I was disappointed that the movie contained almost no part of it and only a soupcon of Runyon English could be heard.
Maxwell was attractive and sang well. The song "Silver Bells" is a good one. There were many superior character actors in this, but none of them had a chance to really register.
I can't think of a Bob Hope move made subsequent to this that I liked. This started a downhill slide for me.
Hope starts out a loser and a craven coward in this one, but at the end of the movie as his schemes work, he becomes smarmy and struts around in an unappealing way. I hated this; it undermined all the previous likable schnook characters Hope had played.
I had already read the Runyon story about the Lemon Drop Kid when this film was first released and I was disappointed that the movie contained almost no part of it and only a soupcon of Runyon English could be heard.
Maxwell was attractive and sang well. The song "Silver Bells" is a good one. There were many superior character actors in this, but none of them had a chance to really register.
I can't think of a Bob Hope move made subsequent to this that I liked. This started a downhill slide for me.
Absolute Cracker
dilsonbelper14 March 2017
Still makes me laugh after all these years impeccable timing great writing beautiful comic acting from all, Hope is wonderful as usual if you haven't seen this and looking for an hour or so of laughs the sit down put your feet up and enjoy. They Obviously Want Me To Sing ...not now please
A Damon Runyon Christmas
telegonus21 December 2002
This is a terrific Christmas movie for adults, since it revolves around money and debt. Bob Hope is a racetrack tout who, for too many reasons worth going into here, winds up owing a gangster ten large during the Yuletide season, and comes up with an ingenious way to raise the cash. Hope fits in reasonably well with the general scheme (so to speak) of this Damon Runyon story, and Marilyn Maxwell is gorgeous. In able support are William Frawley, Sid Melton, Ben Welden and a gaggle of other big city types without whom this kind of movie can't work. Thanks in large part to them, it does. Only Lloyd Nolan, as Oxford Charlie, seems wrong for this one. His movie persona was too inflexible for Runyon antics. Maybe Brod Crawford wasn't available. But this is a minor quibble. The movie is a delight.
See also
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