Destry (1954)

Masterful Movie

Wow! What a bizarre film! Unfortunately the few funny moments there were were quite overshadowed by it's completely weird and random vibe throughout.

One of the film's great tricks is that, for a time, you think it will go down a rabbit hole of unrealistic glorification.

Worth seeing just to witness how winsome it is.

Western comedy with George Marshall's inspired direction . This spirited realization that never flags results to be a potpourri of Western , comedy , irony and action . A peaceful and milksop cowboy named Tom Destry performed by the good-mannered Audie Murphy cleans up an uncontrollably lawless Western town . The mild and unarmed Tom is appointed as deputy by the crusading sheriff , the battle-loving drunk called Barnaby (well played by Thomas Mitchell) . These were the adventures , fighting , laughing and brawling from a peace-loving stranger named Destry . He had a grudge to settle , a town to tame and two woman fighting to make him their man . At the small town rules the powerful villain Decker (Lyle Bettger previously played by Brian Donlevy) . There Tom meets Brandy , a beautiful dancer (Mari Blanchard in a similar interpretation to Marlene Dietrich) . Tom makes Brandy change her brand . A hard-boiled Brandy with a difference -rouged but rugged- who fights , yells , yodels her way , sharp-nailed to love . When a tough western town needs taming , the mild-mannered son of the famous hard-nosed Tom Destry gets the job . From the roaring pages of Max Brand's immortal classical comes the story of the day the West will never forget .., the day Destry carried a gun . This Universal-International-Picture gets Western action , shootouts , a love story , musical numbers and a breathtaking final confrontation at the saloon . This is a classic Hollywood Western , print in Technicolor , it turns out to be a mixture of thrills , brawls , crossfire and humor . Audie Murphy gives a sympathetic acting as a sheriff helper , new deputy's mild exterior masks a fierce determination to see justice done, this brawling Western turned him movie career all around the world and became him a box-office again . Murphy won more tan 20 medals , being the most decorated American soldier , including the Congressional Medal of Honor and he was also awarded five decorations by France and Belgium . Murphy starred a great number of Westerns as ¨The kid from Texas¨, ¨Cimarron Kid¨, ¨Gunpoint¨, ¨Night Passage¨, ¨The Gunrunners¨, ¨Posse from Hell¨, ¨Gunfight at Comanche¨, ¨Rifles Apaches¨, ¨The Unforgiven¨, ¨Red badge of courage¨, ¨Legend of Sam Ward¨, ¨Whispering Smith¨, ¨40 Guns at Apache pass¨ , ¨Texas kid¨ , among others . Being usually directed by Jesse Hibbs who directed various Audie Murphy vehicles such as : this ¨To hell and Back¨ (1955) , ¨World in My Corner¨ (1956) , ¨Ride a Crooked Trail¨ (1958) , ¨Medal of Honor¨ and ¨To Hell and Back¨. Support cast is frankly nice , providing splendid interpretations . Thomas Mitchell ideally cast as sheriff shows his usual delicious fair play for comedy . Lovely acting of Mari Blanchard as the stubborn Saloon girl at a similar role to previous Marlene Dietrich , she is the dance hall entertainer who sings on the bar some vintage songs , including new catchy tunes. And excellent Lyle Bettger as the crooked gambler and Lori nelson as Martha , the trusting sweetheart. This motion picture was professionally directed by George Marshall in colorful style , though has a few flaws . He realized a great number of films , especially Westerns . His first Western was ¨Wild Gold¨(1934) and he subsequently directed ¨Destry rides again¨ with James Stewart and Marlene Dietrich in which years later he would make a remake titled ¨Frenchie¨ with Audie Murphy and Marie Blanchard . As George Marshal introduces hilarious elements and amusement in his Westerns , such as ¨Texas¨ , ¨Fancy pants¨, ¨Advance to the rear¨, and also directs Musical Westerns as ¨Red Garters¨ and ¨The second greatest sex¨ . Being particularly known for his co-direction of the epic Western ¨How the west was won¨ along with Henry Hathaway and John Ford . This is the fourth of the quartet adaptations based on the novel by Max Brand . The novel was adapted for a Broadway musical starring Andy Griffith and opened at the April 23 , 1959 at the Imperial Theatre and ran for 472 performances . And several cinematic renditions : the first was titled by American exhibitors as ¨ Justice rides again (1932)¨ with Tom Mix and the role of Tom Destry was originally intended for Gary Cooper , but he wanted more money than the producers were willing to pay him . It was then offered to James Stewart , who took it in ¨Destry rides again¨(1939) , along with Marlene Dietrich , Charles Winninger , Thomas Mitchell ; the following version released in 1951 under title ¨ Frenchie ¨ and this fourth take on exhibited in 1954 also directed by George Marshall with Audie Murphy and Marie Blanchard in similar characters to James Stewart and Marlene Dietrich .

Destry is a re-make of Destry Rides Again with Jimmy Stewart. I loved them both & am an Audie Murphy fan. This was one of my favorite western movies an I think that Hollywood should re-make it again, don't know why they have not as a matter of fact. Audie Murphy is brought to town as a deputy sheriff to clean up the town. He starts out as a bumbling boob & is really a very clever & sophisticated crime solver. Thomoas Mitchell is always good as is Edgar Buchanon. I have watched both versions every time they appear on television & would recommend Destry to anyone who has not seen it. It is more than a western movie, writing, & action will keep u interested all the way & you will be crying for more when it ends. The movie builds up all the way for a climatic showdown in the end & has everything, lots of comic references & action all the way through. I recommend it to all viewers & is a must see western fan or not. Thank you

Audie Murphy displays his toughness, charisma, and just plain like-ability in this film. Thomas Mitchell is once again great in his role as the lawman who brings in Destry to help him clean up the town. He also provides some comic relief, but then so does the clever dialog.Lyle Bettger is great in his role as the smooth talking "Bad Guy". Bettger was one of those guys who could deliver his lines with a smile, in almost a mocking manner, because he always seemed to have the upper hand. And if he didn't have the upper hand he was a good bluffer. A good blend of, action, comedy, romance, and clever dialog make this a must see for any fan of the cast members. And like many of the classic westerns of those days, it makes a great family film. Hopefully this film will make it to DVD to be enjoyed by future generations.

Sometimes remakes do turn out for the best and Audie Murphy was a perfect in the casting of another edition of the Destry saga. I will say this though, Destry's grown up considerable. Audie uses some forensic science to clean up the town and the final gunfight is played a bit more seriously than in the James Stewart-Marlene Dietrich classic.For those who haven't seen either film, a certain crooked saloon keeper/ town boss has been grabbing land by hook or crook and kills the sheriff who's opposing him. Lyle Bettger is every bit as nasty as Brian Donlevy was. Bettger gets the idea to make the deputy, Thomas Mitchell, the sheriff. Mitchell is the town drunk, but Mitchell fools them and sends for the son of legendary lawman Tom Destry to be his deputy.When Audie Murphy as Destry comes to town it's without wearing firearms, but in his own quiet way Audie gets results.Of course saloon girl Mari Blanchard ain't a patch on Marlene Dietrich, but that's pretty stiff competition for anyone. Edgar Buchanan is the mayor and does his usual foxy and calculating part and we're not quite sure where he'll wind up in the end.Destry is one of Audie Murphy's better B westerns from the Fifties and it shows with the right casting, a classic can be done well a second time.