This 1939 Western is one of
several produced around the Destry character of the 1932 novel. This version is
only loosely based on the novel though, with many characters and events
differing significantly. In the fictional Western town of Bottleneck, saloon owner Kent (Brian Donlevy)
reigns supreme. With the help of saloon singer Frenchie (Marlene Dietrich) the
town is under his control through fear, intimidation and extortion. A series of
Sheriffs come and go with the latest being shot by Kent himself. In order to
avoid the unwanted attention of the law, Kent and his Mayor (Samuel S. Hinds)
give the job to one of the town’s many drunks, Washington Dimsdale (Charlie
Winniger). ‘Wash’ surprises the town though by cleaning up his act and hiring a
new Deputy from Montana.
The son of a once feared lawman, Destry (James Stewart) turns out to be a disappointment.
Against guns and seeming a bit of a wimp, Destry hides behind his polite
exterior, a man willing to uphold the law, whatever it takes.
Destry Rides Again pulled me in two directions. Occasionally I
thought the film was far too broad and frothy, full of poor jokes and songs but
every now and then it surprised me with a cutting line, wonderful metaphor or
ferocious fight which gave me the impression of watching two films accidently
cut together as one.
