Introducing James Stewart’s first western film! George Marshall’s Destry Rides Again is about a nonviolent sheriff who plans on coming up the fictional town of Bottleneck from enemies trying to take over the territory.
So, James Stewart plays the title character of Destry. It would make sense for James Stewart to play a character like this who is against gunslinging and using violent methods to get his way. Stewart is normally known for playing gentle characters but is still able to bring strength and awe in the role. Judge Slade and his girlfriend, Frenchy, are corrupted residents of this town who force farmers to sell their land to take control of the town when the railroad comes. Destry plans to bring justice to this lawless town. I personally was not a fan of this movie as I had no interest in the plot but I did like how this western broke the conventions of a lot of westerners. Having the hero start off as nonviolent until things get out of hand. As well as having the women be just as tough and become heroes in their own way towards the end.
I was really impressed the most with Marlene Dietrich. She brought a lot of spunk to the role and really went out there during her singing scenes on stage. She could kick ass holding a cigarette in her hand and her sharp tongue. This was the movie that really amped up her career in which she worked with Fritz Lang, Alfred Hitchcock, Orson Welles, and Billy Wilder. I love the fight scene. Did you know that this scene was completely improvised and done in one take? Future filmmakers should take notes of this method. Well, if you’re a fan of westerns, saloon fights, James Stewart and Marlene Dietrich, and unconventional story arcs, this is the film for you.
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