The Fantastic Origin of "Silver Bells"

Cafe Society
1

Normally I can’t stand ‘popular’ holiday music, especially the twenty or so songs that are played in every store, everywhere, all the time, for one twelfth of the year. They make me stabby. However, thanks to an article I was sent today I am hereby making an exception for “Silver Bells”.

Apparently it was written for a Bob Hope movie called The Lemon Drop Kid. Bob Hope plays a down-on-his-luck gambler who needs to pay back a loan in a hurry, Or Else. He does…

… in part by stealing money from Salvation Army kettles. While singing “Silver Bells”.

I wonder if it’d be played in stores as much if this were more general knowledge. Here’s a video clip of the song and an article that gives more information: http://www.filmschoolrejects.com/features/old-ass-movies-the-lemon-drop-kid-1951.php I will never sing the regular version of the lyrics again.

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Somehow the entire review failed to mention that the film is based on a short story by Damon Runyon.

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I thought it was general knowledge. I’ve certainly known that for a long time.

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Ah, yes. The true spirit of Christmas.

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I have often wondered why “The Lemon Drop Kid” never gets any airplay.

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A version (somewhat intentionally made less Christmasy, as ISTR he made “in the city” rhyme with “slip you a mickey”) is, IIRC, also sung in the movie by Fred Mertz (a/k/a William Frawley)'s character.

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Heads up - Lemon Drop Kid starts at 7:00 Central tonight on TCM.