The Lemon Drop Kid Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		4.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		0.0
Overall		3.5

The Lemon Drop Kid Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf July 7, 2017

Perhaps the most fascinating bit of trivia associated with 1951’s “The Lemon Drop Kid” (adapted from the short story by Damon Runyon) is the debut of “Silver Bells,” a Christmas song that started here and grew to become a holiday perennial, covered by a multitude of artists, most famously conquered by star Bob Hope’s frequent screen partner, Bing Crosby. Of course, there’s an entire movie here as well, with seasonal cheer put into hands of Hope, who tries on a thin layer of Capra for this con man tale of semi-redemption, with the production making the most of his special brand of comedy. “Silver Bells” is merely icing on the cake.

Hope portrays The Lemon Drop Kid, a practiced con man who makes a critical error at a horse track, costing gangster Oxford Charlie (Lloyd Nolan) a small fortune. Expected to repay the debt, the Kid goes to extremes during the Christmas season to make things right, unable to make any scheme stick. “The Lemon Drop Kid” is hardly an acting challenge for Hope, with the material playing to his strengths of sarcasm and light panic, mixing it up with co-stars and the elements, including one impressive physical gag that catches the Kid in heavy NYC winter winds, sliding backwards on the sidewalk. In fact, there are more than a few stunt-heavy gags in the effort, making “The Lemon Drop Kid” more active than the average Hope endeavor, offering a pronounced sense of screen energy.

The Lemon Drop Kid Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

"The Lemon Drop Kid" handles itself quite well on Blu-ray, with the AVC encoded image (1.33:1 aspect ratio) presentation supplying a level of sharpness that brings out the best in comedic reaction and New York City wintertime decoration. Textures are helpful on costuming and sets, and distances are preserved. Grain is fine and filmic. Delineation isn't threatened, doing well with evening encounters. Source is in terrific shape, without distracting points of damage.

The Lemon Drop Kid Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix doesn't provide an advanced listening experience, but the essentials are handled acceptably, with only a mild amount of hiss present on the track. Finger-snap dialogue exchanges sound clear and loud, securing comedic performances, including Hope's speedy delivery. Scoring comes through as intended, supporting moods with adequate instrumentation, while musical numbers offer a more pronounced presence, delivering stronger vocals. Street atmospherics are welcome, and sound effects, including explosions, are defined.

The Lemon Drop Kid Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

There is no supplementary material on this disc.

The Lemon Drop Kid Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

A few musical interludes are included, and Hope gets in his requisite Bing Crosby reference, but "The Lemon Drop Kid" mostly plays as a comedy, keeping its star on task as the character experiences all types of setbacks and disruptions to his habitual scheming. For Hope fans, it's an easily digestible offering.