Introduced the hit Christmas song "Silver Bells". The movie was filmed in 1950, but not released in theaters until March, 1951. When a recording of "Silver Bells" by Bing Crosby became a hit in December, 1950, the studio called Bob Hope and Marilyn Maxwell back to re-shoot a more elaborate musical version of the song for the film's release. In later years, Bob Hope made "Silver Bells" his own Christmas theme. He performed the song every year on his annual Christmas TV special, usually singing it as a duet with the lead female guest (such as Olivia Newton-John, Shirley Jones, Barbara Mandrell, or his own wife, Dolores Hope).
The plot has nothing in common with that of the Damon Runyon story 'The Lemon Drop Kid.' Other than the name of the main character, his taste for lemon drops and his role as a racetrack tout, the two stories are entirely different.
The song "Silver Bells" originally was called "Tinkle Bells" until the wife of one of the composers pointed out that tinkle was also slang for urinate.
"Lux Radio Theater" broadcast a 60 minute radio adaptation of the movie on
December 10, 1951 with Bob Hope reprising his film role.