The Lemon Drop Kid

The Lemon Drop Kid is a 1951 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.citation needed The story had previously been adapted as a movie in 1934 starring Lee Tracy, with a bit part for actress Ann Sheridan.

The Lemon Drop Kid Bob Hope, a New York City swindler, is illegally touting horses at a Florida racetrack. The Kid touts across a beautiful woman intending to bet 2,000 on a horse named Iron Bar. Rigging a con, the Kid convinces her to switch her bet, but learns that she was betting for boyfriend and notorious gangster Moose Moran Fred Clark. When the horse finishes dead last, a furious Moran demands the Kid pay him 10,000 the amount he would have won by Christmas Eve, or the Kid wont make it to New Years.The Kid decides to return to New York to try to come up with the money. He first tries his onagain, offagain girlfriend Brainey Baxter Marilyn Maxwell. However, when talk of longterm commitment arises, the Kid quickly makes an escape. He next visits local crime boss Oxford Charlie Lloyd Nolan, with whom he has had past dealings. However, Charlie is in serious tax trouble and does not particularly care for the Kid anyway. As he leaves Charlies establishment, the Kid notices a street corner Santa Claus and his kettle. ........

Source: Wikipedia