Destry Rides Again (1939)
Grade: 75
"Destry Rides Again" is a very good movie. Comedy and Drama, more the former than the latter, are effectively mixed. The plot is thick, there is plenty of action to keep things moving, and the many supporting players have well-defined characters.
"Destry Rides Again" is a Western Comedy. Crooked saloon owner Brian Donlevy, mayor Samuel Hinds, and entertainer Marlene Dietrich are cheating honest folks of their ranches. The sheriff is murdered, and drunken fool Charles Winninger is appointed new sheriff. Winninger brings in legendary lawman James Stewart, who has eccentric law and order philosophies.
"Destry Rides Again" demonstrated that Stewart was a comedic as well as dramatic actor, skills later demonstrated in "Harvey" and "Magic Town". Dietrich added another dimension to her femme fatale stereotype, and revived her flagging career.
It is not a perfect movie. The closing battle at the tavern is muddled, and Stewart's actions are not consistent. First he is a pacifist, and then he isn't. Now he is amiable, now he's a tough guy. Dietrich and blowhard Jack Carson have sudden character transformations. Also, Stewart's secondary love interest (Irene Hervey) might as well be Miss Perfect.
Still, the brawl between Dietrich, Mrs. Callahan, and Stewart is great cinema. And there are so many great supporting roles, especially Hinds and excitable ranch owner Tom Fadden.
http://members.tripod.com/~Brian_Koller/movies.html
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