'' is a
1951 comedy film based on the short story by writer
Damon Runyon . The black-and-white movie stars
Bob Hope . The Christmas song "
Silver Bells ," sung by Maxwell, was introduced in the film. The film was directed by
Sidney Lanfield and Frank Tashlin (uncredited - Tashlin was hired to finish the film). The story was also made as a movie in
1934 with a bit part for actress
Ann Sheridan .
The Lemon Drop Kid (Hope) persuades a gangster's girlfriend not to bet on a horse. The horse ends up winning and now the gangster wants the Kid to pay him the $10,000 he would have won or The Lemon Drop Kid will be executed on Christmas Eve.
