The Lemon Drop Kid

The Lemon Drop Kid
Theatrical release poster
Directed bySidney Lanfield
Frank Tashlin (uncredited)
Screenplay byFrank Tashlin
Edmund Hartmann
Robert O'Brien
Irving Elinson (additional dialogue)
Story byEdmund Beloin
Damon Runyon
Based onThe Lemon Drop Kid
by Damon Runyon
Produced byRobert L. Welch
StarringBob Hope
Marilyn Maxwell
Lloyd Nolan
CinematographyDaniel L. Fapp
Edited byArchie Marshek
Music byVictor Young
Production
company
Hope Enterprises
Distributed byParamount Pictures
Release date
  • April 2, 1951 (1951-04-02)
Running time
91 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Box office$2.3 million (US rentals)[1]

The Lemon Drop Kid is a 1951 American 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.[2] The story had previously been adapted as a 1934 film 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.[3]

  1. ^ "The Top Box Office Hits of 1951". Variety. January 2, 1952.
  2. ^ Zoglin, Richard (2015). Hope. Simon & Schuster. p. 276. ISBN 978-1439140284.
  3. ^ Furia, Philip; Lasser, Michael (2006). America's Songs: The Stories Behind the Songs of Broadway, Hollywood, and Tin Pan Alley. Routledge. p. 233. ISBN 978-1135471996.