“BOB HOPE AND SILVER BELLS”

By Raymond Benson

The 1940s and 1950s were Bob Hope’s prime decades, and many of his most popular—and arguably “good”—movies were made during these years. When he wasn’t teaming up with Bing Crosby for the Road to… pictures, he was soloing in farces in which he displayed his unquestionable talent in delivering one-liners with impeccable timing, singing alone or with a partner (usually a female costar), and sharing the “joke” with the audience through fourth wall breaking.

Hope has several classic comedies in his filmography, but just as many or more that might induce face-palming. Some are downright dumb. The Lemon Drop Kid, from 1951, is one of the better ones, although it often slips into slapstick silliness during its 91-minute runtime. This is due, in part, to the uncredited direction of Frank Tashlin, who co-wrote the screenplay (with Edmund Hartmann and Robert O’Brien). Tashlin worked for many years in cartoons, including the Looney Tunes outfit for Warner Brothers, so his approach to comedy had a similar sensibility. Sledgehammer comedic action, trick photography, and gimmicks tend to populate Tashlin’s work. The credited director of Lemon Drop is Sidney Lanfield, but Hollywood scuttlebutt asserts that Tashlin finished the picture.

The movie is based on Damon Runyon’s short story. “The Lemon Drop Kid” is Hope, of course, and although we never know his real name, everyone calls him “Kid.” He earned the moniker because he’s addicted to lemon drops, boxes of which he always carries. Kid is a con-man and swindler who illegally touts horses at the track, among other schemes. Unfortunately, he runs afoul with gangsters Moose Moran and Oxford Charlie (Fred Clark and Lloyd Nolan, respectively). His sometimes-girlfriend, Brainey (Marilyn Maxwell), is also a moll for Charlie, but one senses that her heart is more in line with the Kid. When a con goes bad and Moran loses money, he gives the Kid a deadline to come up with the dough he lost (ten grand) or it’s curtains. The Kid then begins a series of questionable money-making plots at Christmas time that involve a gang of ne’er-do-wells (played by such character actors as William Frawley, Jay C. Flippen, Tor Johnson, and others) dressed as Santa Claus, and an “old ladies home,” where his friend Nellie (Jane Darwell) is trying to reside. One memorable set piece in the final reel is Hope disguising himself as one of these old ladies and performing in drag.

There is much to admire, especially from the likes of the supporting cast, and Hope is genuinely funny and winning in the picture (in some of his movies he can be rather annoying, in this reviewer’s opinion). Perhaps the biggest legacy of The Lemon Drop Kid is the introduction of the Christmas perennial classic song, “Silver Bells” (by Jay Livingston and Ray Evans).

Kino Lorber’s new Blu-ray release looks quite good in its 1920x1080p high definition restoration. Alas, there are no supplements included with the disk.

If you like Christmas movies with laughs, or are a Bob Hope aficionado, then The Lemon Drop Kid is for you.

CLICK HERE TO ORDER FROM AMAZON