Here’s a classic — 1939’s Destry Rides Again — that is often overlooked. It broke new ground. The comic Western. And like all true classics it’s been remade, and even adapted as a musical for Broadway.
But only the original is worthy of your attention. Some questions (and answers):
Why is there no ‘Destry’ as such in the picture? Because the lead character played by James Stewart, in his first western, is the son of famous lawman ‘Tom Destry.’ The name of Stewart’s character is actually Tom Destry Jr., a new deputy vying to clean up the town of Bottleneck. Destry Jr. Rides Again doesn’t quite work as a title.
What is Marlene Dietrich’s main contribution? She plays dance hall queen “Frenchy” who shifts her love interest from bad guy Brian Donlevy to Stewart. She notably sings “See What The Boys In The Back Room Will Have” and “You’ve Got That Look,” which became staples of her subsequent theater and night club appearances.
What about Destry drew censorship nervousness at the time it was released? It was a broadly physical brawl between ‘Frenchy” and actress Una Merkel’s character (‘Lilly Belle’) which took on mud-wrestling proportions. Hints of sex and pure violence all in one package.
How did the odd pairing or Stewart and Dietrich hit it off? Odd or not, they got along famously. Marlene later said she and Stewart had a hot romance during Destry’s production.
Isn’t it true that the critics hated Destry when it came out, apparently confused by its mixture of conventional western, broad satire and wildly physical comedy? No, it isn’t. The New York Times critic noted that the picture defied typecasting. No kidding. Stewart’s and Dietrich’s performances drew raves. More important, the general public liked the picture.
When did the Broadway musical version of the movie open? Producer David Merrick opened the show in 1959, with Andy Griffith in the role played by Stewart and Dolores Gray as ‘Frenchy.” It was a hit.
Revisiting DESTRY RIDES AGAIN… and having seen it so many times you have to agree that Marlene Dietrich just steals the picture from James Stewart, not that he minded.
As Joe & Frank have mentioned, the Stewart/Dietrich love affair at that time, was probably compensation enough. Years later Dietrich claimed she had an abortion without telling Stewart she was even expecting.
Calling 1939’s DESTRY RIDES AGAIN Stewart’s first western, although technically correct it really was BROKEN ARROW filmed in 1949, and released a year later. The same year that also saw the release of WINCHESTER 73′ -these were his first and very best westerns.
DESTRY of course is basically a screwball comedy, and back in the 1930’s and 40’s westerns and comedy were a staple of the “B” movie Saturday matinee’s. Stewart & Dietrich were a great match for a very entertaining picture.
The “great match” though was more accidental than planned, as it was only when Gary Cooper turned down the role for not meeting his price, did Stewart step in. And even then, production was delayed further as he had to finish MR. SMITH GOES TO WASHINGTON first.
Now people who know me say I have a gift for linking things… Guess who photographed DESTRY RIDES AGAIN?
Here’s a clue, I mentioned him only yesterday…
That’s right from THE LAST VOYAGE, it was HAL MOHR!
And if you’re more than just a casual reader of CLASSIC MOVIE CHAT, you’ll know that Mohr also photographed Al Jolson in THE JAZZ SINGER.
Another interesting piece of movie trivia, the next time you watch a 30’s western, notice how many extras are seen, how many townspeople are on the streets, how many are in the posses and such. As after WWII with rising costs, studios really cut down on them, and you really noticed that in westerns more than any other genre.
I love how old Hollywood had “all purpose foreign accent” casting, any European accent judged as fine to stand in for any other, the thinking being audiences were to dumb to notice. (Ingrid Bergman’s ridiculous casting as a Spaniard in For Whom The Bell Tolls jumps to mind…). But I guess if you named Detrich’s character for her actual ethnicity, “Germy” would have been as unfortunate as a character name as “Destry Jr. Rides Again” would have been as a title!
Director George Marshall remade his classic in 1954s Destry starring a perfectly cast Audie Murphy.
It is fun to spot the little differences between the pictures.
Destry Rides Again: they are investigating if the sheriff has died.
Destry: they are investigating how the sheriff died.
Destry Rides Again: the good girl is the sister of the cattleman.
Destry: the good girl is related to the rancher cheated in the card game.
Destry Rides Again: funny subplot with the “Callaghans” (Mischa Auer & Una Merkel).
Destry: a doctor and his wife take over the comic duties (Wallace Ford & Mary Wickes).
Destry Rides Again: final shootout a free-for-all involving the whole town.
Destry: final shootout involves only the bad guys, Brandy and Tom Destry in the saloon.
Destry Rides Again: Tom whittles.
Destry: Tom whiles away the time with a piece of string.
Destry Rides Again: Tom always related a story he heard.
Destry: Tom always related something he read in a book once.