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6.4/10
Senior Film Conservator
A definitive 6.4/10 rating for a film that redefined the boundaries of cult cinema. The Lemon Drop Kid remains a cornerstone of transgressive art.
Honestly, if you like watching fast-talking grifters in fedoras, you’ll probably get a kick out of The Lemon Drop Kid. It’s snappy, slightly cynical, and moves at a pace that doesn't care if you catch every word. If you hate old movies where everyone shouts their lines like they're on a stage, skip it. You won't find anything deep here.
Lee Tracy is doing a lot of heavy lifting. He plays Wally Brooks with this frantic, twitchy energy that makes you wonder if the guy ever sleeps. He hands out lemon drops like they’re magic pills, which is a great little touch. It’s that kind of weird, specific detail that keeps the movie from just being another generic 1930s comedy.
You can tell this is based on Damon Runyon’s stuff. The dialogue is full of weird slang and characters who seem like they crawled out of a back alley to try and swindle you. It’s charming, but sometimes it feels like they’re trying too hard to be quirky.
There’s this one scene where he’s trying to dodge the fallout of his bad bet, and the way he ducks behind a pillar is just... well, it’s theatrical in a way nobody acts anymore. It’s almost too smooth.
It reminds me a bit of the frantic energy in Kid Speed, where the chaos is the whole point. It isn't trying to be high art. It’s just trying to keep you entertained for an hour and a half.
Is it better than some of the other stuff from that era like Horse Play? Maybe. It feels a bit more mean-spirited, which I kind of liked. Everyone is out for themselves. It’s not a movie for the faint of heart or those looking for a moral lesson.
That said, it does drag a bit in the middle. There’s a stretch where the plot just spins its wheels. I found myself looking at the clock, wondering if they were ever going to actually get to the point. But then someone would start yelling again, and I was back in.
It’s a light snack of a movie. Don't go in expecting a feast. Just enjoy the lemon drops. 🍋